I got my new cat in the mail a few days ago, and now i finally had a day free from work and school to do it. When i finally got the o2 sensor out, but i could not reach far enough down to unbolt the cat. I went under the car and there was a bolt that was holding up the cat and the pipe it is connected to(downpipe?) after this one bolt was out, i was able to pull the whole set up right up through the engine bay. When i got it out, it looked like the tube that attaches to the pipe was torn, and the braided part was all ripped and mangled, it looked like it had been cut off right after the braid? is this normal? when i looked down at the rest of the exhaust, it looks as though it slides right into the part that is attached to the cat. Does anyone know what this pipe connected to the cat is called? i am semi new to the forums , and i don't know if there is anyway i can post pictures with my post, if anybody knows how to put up pics please let me know so i can post pictures of what i am talking about, as a picture is worth a thousand words and probably a lot easier to diagnose.

 

Use photobucket or flickr to host your pics then copy and paste the link with [IMG][/IMG] around it.

The piece I think you are describing is the flex pipe. Any exhaust shop worth their salt should be able to weld in a new piece for you.

 

ok let me try this and hopefully this will work and you can see what i am talking about, whick will probably make it a heck of a lot easier

 

so that is the flex pipe? can where it is torn be welded, or will i need a new one?

 

If you buy a whole new down pipe, it will have a new flex section already welded into it. If you want to just replace the flex section on your stock DP, you'll have to have it cut out and have a new one welded in.

 

front exhaust pipe, has the flex part already attached. I just bought one, will be replacing it as soon as it comes in. cant stand the raspiness...

 

at this point what is the cheapest option? i just need to last me until i can get my borla exhaust in the fall, i already have everything out, so can i just take that mess down to a machine shop and have them weld it for me? would it be cheaper since it is already out of the car ?

 

i just need it to last me for a little bit, could i try just sticking it back on with the new cat, fitting it into the broken part and sealing it up with exaust wrap?

 

A shop should do it for like $70-$100. Probably with it on the car still too..

 

Bosal/Exhaust Pipe (860-931) | 2001 Audi A4 Quattro 4 Cylinders 1.8L SFI Turbo DOHC | AutoZone.com , should i just try this? it seems to be cheaper to get the whole dp and diy it.