Exhaust Bracket Woes @ Tranny

[02fanatic]

I am getting Hugo inspected in the morning so I thought I'd check him out underside today...and low and behold the tranny exhaust bracket assembly had lost "both" bolts, and everything!!!! It was obvious that there must have been wear based on the wear marks on the holes in the bracket where the grommets and, etc go..if you know how the assembly works.

But to lose both bolts, nuts, etc. is amazing...must have been alot of torquing and vibration to make that happen...or I simply forgot to tighten them, up tight enough!

Anyone also had this problem???

John

[BLUNT]

its soooo easy to not get everything tight when you take a car as far down as you took hugo. i am somewhat ocd and go back and check things 3 or 4 times in case i forgot something. but it always seems i miss a few

[2761876]

when I worked as a bmw tech back in the 80's, I was instructed to check those bolts whenever the car was in the air, they often work themselves loose.

just another item to check whenever you change your oil!!

[Napes]

Those rubber grommets are subject to a lot of road and engine oil going aft @ speed. They shrink, crack, and just generally get funky, which leaves the bolts loose. Not uncommon, thou I've never actually lost the bolts.

Bob Napier

[ingraham]

(nt)

[B-Doon]

mine have been gone for ages...does that hurt anything? What exactly do I need to replace them...Two bolts, 2 nuts, and rubber washers??? Can I use any old hardware store parts?

[02fanatic]

I actually used two water pump bolts and an assortment of washers to tighten things up....I don't think I really needed to do anything because the bracket and exhaust hanger were tight and no moving. I actually have a header anyway....but the extra bracket can't hurt.

I'll get by with my "Kluge" until I buy the proper setup.

I did have all the OEM stuff, including the steel sleeves...but lost everything...about 24 pieces in all...very strange. I must have forgotten to tighten things up down there. The grommets were new...Hugo has less than 200 miles on him since hitting the road, so the soggy grommet theory didn't apply in this case.

Thanks for the responses!

John

[aaronr]

I just changed my exhaust but have no bracket/holder at the trans and it's moving around like crazy. Where can I get this part?

[Napes]

I just changed my exhaust but have no bracket/holder at the trans and it's moving around like crazy. Where can I get this part?

Post a WTB on the parts page and someone should have one they'll sell you. Do it soon, 'cause w/out the bracket you'll soon have a cracked and leaking downpipe.

Bob Napier

[Zenon]

I just changed my exhaust but have no bracket/holder at the trans and it's moving around like crazy. Where can I get this part?

I looked this assembly up just the other day. You can get it all from a BMW dealer, here are the numbers and the CDN prices I was recently quoted:

1x exhaust to trans bracket BMW# 18 21 1 245 382 $13.00

2x exhaust bracket bushing BMW# 18 21 1 712 091 $5.14

2x exhaust bracket bushing sleeve BMW# 18 21 4 690 169 $11.00

1x clamp U-bolt BMW# 18 21 1 245 377 $4.49

The part that directly bolts to the 4sp trans is 18 21 1 101 322. Auto box uses 18 21 1 103 182. These don't often go missing.

You will also need to add M8 nuts for the u-bolt and the M6 nuts/washers/bolts to go through the bushings. You can save some dosh by making your own bushing sleeves if you can find the right tubing and by using a generic exhaust clamp U (though the generic ones I have used don't fit as well and require enlarging the bracket holes).

Running without the bracket can lead to cracking the downpipe and/or manifold.

regards,

Zenon