[lndnny]

Hey guys, I've got a set of AR Design downpipes for the N54 that I just installed yesterday. Started it up and yep, definitely have a rattling exhaust leak. First of all, the flange on the front downpipe wasn't perfectly flat, but it was close enough so I don't think that's the problem.

It's definitely the connection to the rest of the exhaust. I've got the bolts pointed toward the rear of the car with the nuts on the back. Perhaps this is a stupid question, but how does anyone get a wrench on the bolts that are on the upper portion of the downpipes. It's not a problem on the OEM cats because the bolts are captured and cannot turn. I've tried to squeeze a wrench in there, tried to force the supposed "nord-lock" washers to bite using an impact driver, and tried just pressing on a flat face of the bolt with a flathead while turning the nut.

At this point, I'm just about to machine a small wedge of metal that I can fit in between the downpipes and the bolt head to prevent it from turning. How have you guys done this in the past?

[Kevin@AKMotorwerk]

Originally Posted by lndnny

Hey guys, I've got a set of AR Design downpipes for the N54 that I just installed yesterday. Started it up and yep, definitely have a rattling exhaust leak. First of all, the flange on the front downpipe wasn't perfectly flat, but it was close enough so I don't think that's the problem.

It's definitely the connection to the rest of the exhaust. I've got the bolts pointed toward the rear of the car with the nuts on the back. Perhaps this is a stupid question, but how does anyone get a wrench on the bolts that are on the upper portion of the downpipes. It's not a problem on the OEM cats because the bolts are captured and cannot turn. I've tried to squeeze a wrench in there, tried to force the supposed "nord-lock" washers to bite using an impact driver, and tried just pressing on a flat face of the bolt with a flathead while turning the nut.

At this point, I'm just about to machine a small wedge of metal that I can fit in between the downpipes and the bolt head to prevent it from turning. How have you guys done this in the past?

some times i use a craftsman flat head screwdriver, like a medium to large blade, that i bent into about a 90 degree so it fits around the pipe and between the flat surface of the bolt head and the pipe, it wedges in perfectly when a wrench doesnt play nice

[chingy24]

I tighten the short pipe fulling before I even start the bolts on the long pipe. This gives me room enough room. I also don't tighten the turbo clamp fully until I have all the bolts in place.

Mine was rattling too but I just turned the dowepipe a little bit and it stopped.

[wren57]

I can't remember the size of those bolts, I think it's 13mm, but all I did was cut a cheap 13mm wrench to be about 2" long and put it on the bolt on the backside. This holds the bolthead in place when you turn it and it makes contact with the other downpipe. Works well.