ScottsGT
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2014
- Threads
- 63
- Messages
- 2,104
- Reaction score
- 522
- Location
- Lake Wateree, SC
- First Name
- Scott
- Vehicle(s)
- 2015 GT, DIB
- Thread starter
- #1
Installed a new system this past Sunday and I had to loosen the clamp on the drivers side short pipe between the cat and the new X pipe to drop it down about a 1/4" so the X pipe would clear the parking brake cable bracket.
Of course, now I'm getting the cold start leak at that joint. I did go back and tap down the high spot it had from being tightened down at the factory, but looking at the design of the clamp, I can see why Ford had a recall on this pipe.
1) The clamp does not wrap all the way around this joint. It is open behind the bolt assembly and there is no way to seal this area, and being open with no support from a clamp, it allows this area of the pipe to "pinch outward" as the clamp is tightened.
2) The clamp appears to be too big. With the bolt tightened all the way down, the two ends of the clamp are touching and you can only get it so tight.
At this point, I'm going to remove it and flip it around so the clamp covers the section that is open right now to see if that helps. It's actually tack welded on with a tab for ease of assembly line work. I'm hoping this works.
Of course, now I'm getting the cold start leak at that joint. I did go back and tap down the high spot it had from being tightened down at the factory, but looking at the design of the clamp, I can see why Ford had a recall on this pipe.
1) The clamp does not wrap all the way around this joint. It is open behind the bolt assembly and there is no way to seal this area, and being open with no support from a clamp, it allows this area of the pipe to "pinch outward" as the clamp is tightened.
2) The clamp appears to be too big. With the bolt tightened all the way down, the two ends of the clamp are touching and you can only get it so tight.
At this point, I'm going to remove it and flip it around so the clamp covers the section that is open right now to see if that helps. It's actually tack welded on with a tab for ease of assembly line work. I'm hoping this works.
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