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Down pipe clearence issues.

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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 12:25 AM
  #1  
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Down pipe clearence issues.

I did my up pipes this weekend.

When re installing turbo had to loosen down pipe exhaust bracket to work down pipe back onto turbo to clamp it , now when I go in reverse I get a jarring and clunking noise. I'm thinking the down Pipe must've been compromised somewhere ? Thoughts ?

One more note is I've never ever ever had this problem with this truck until this weekend. That's why I'm thinking I may need to check clearances. Maybe even loosen first clamp and try to slide exhaust back into Itself? I dunno.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 07:24 AM
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That's exactly what I had to do. Loosen the clamp on the up-pipe and the turbo just enough for it to move (twist) and any other clamps where you can get things to move with the exhaust. It's not easy but it is possible to get things clear. I ended up with only about .5 inch (maybe) top and bottom where I squeeze through the transmission crossmember. Good luck.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 11:41 AM
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I'm wondering where I need to look for clearance? Like the passenger side valve cover? Or the transmission mounting bracket? Pretty much I am wondering what the most common issue is with downpipe clearance? I guess it could be firewall also
 
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 04:22 PM
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My 4'' downpipe had the most issues with clearance at the transmission cross member/bracket bolts. Unless it was placed just right, it would hit on one of the bolt heads.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 10:00 PM
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I had to rotate the clamp at the end of the downpipe too so that it wouldn't rub on the transmission pan or return line. It's an MBRP 4" and it B-A-R-E-L-Y fits passing by the transmission and crossmember.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 08:49 AM
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I'm still having issues with my down pipe touching somewhere. Tried adjusting it, improved it about 75%. Still touching somewhere. I'll post a video

 
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 09:14 AM
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It is hard to hear in the Video but what brand Exhaust do you have? I have the Magnaflow 4" system and didn't really have an issue with clearance at all. I just did my turbo \ up-pipes and had the down pipe loose but did not have to loosen in brackets or clamps on the exhaust except the turbo clamp of course.

Depending on the brand and bends in the pipes it is hard to tell where it could be hitting. If you get under the truck and shake the exhaust, can you get it to hit? If so it may be easier to find without all the engine noise going on. Think about the direction of the twist when you put it in reverse so you know which side of the pipes to look at.

Good luck in finding it!
 
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 10:19 AM
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It didn't have any issues at all before I did my up pipes. Now it's hitting.

It's real close at the transmission mount. Also real close at the starter. And up top the engine. I don't think it's the valve cover but it's close in that general area.

I'm not sure on the brand. It was already installed when I bought truck. With no rubbing issues before I did the up pipes
 
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 11:01 AM
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Can you see where the up-pipe and down pipe pass each other? If that is the only thing that changed then maybe they are almost touching and the twist of reverse is just enough to make them contact each other? There shouldn't be much of any movement between these two since the are both mounted to the engine but you might want to look at that just to make sure.

Is your exhaust a multi piece or welded setup? If it is multi piece then the next step would be to separate the rest of the exhaust system from the down pipe section and loosen the clamp on the turbo jut enough to let the down pipe rotate on the turbo. Then you can rotate the down pipe back and forth and center it between the points where it hits. Then clamp it back down on the turbo and reattach the rest of the system.

That will be a pain but may be your only option.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 11:07 AM
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I don't think they hit. But I will be taking a closer look at it sometime soon. It only seems to happen on a hard backup situation. Or when I'm not on level ground sometimes I can hear it at different angles
 
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 12:41 PM
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Check the down pipe and the firewall clearance. I have heard that is a common place as well.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 01:09 PM
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If I was a betting man I would guess the leaf spring bracket to frame mount right at the bend there. Look at the rear of the front passenger side leaf mount top side where it bolts to the frame. You should be able to get your fingers in there. Otherwise you will get what you have. I had this happen and it wiggled till my DP came off !!! By the time I got home I had a nice soot glaze all over my fire wall. Now I have my wife zap it with the impact up top while I hold it down below.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 05:48 PM
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Here's some pics. It's definitely hitting at tranny cross member. But if I shove it yhe other direction it's going to hit the starter housing.
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 05:50 PM
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Old Nov 24, 2015 | 05:51 PM
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On the 6th and 7th pic it's not hitting. Just barley clears. Bad camera angle
 
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