R400d Cat Removal

[Manstein]

Just altering the exhaust on my R400d and was wondering if anybody had any tips for getting the spring retainers off. My first thoughts were para cord to heave on but any other ideas. Too strong for me to remove by finger power !

Thanks

[Lazzer]

Hi, Strongish string through rear of spring loop, wrap around wood for grip, pull back over hook.

Apply elastoplast to busted knuckle if string isn't strong enough. 

[rhauri]

Would a tent peg extractor do the trick?

Suppose it depends whether the hoops are big enough to fit the hook in?

 

[Manstein]

Thanks for the suggestions after careful inspection I noticed the springs have tabs that when pressed allow a bit more 'stretch'. The top one came off without trouble but the bottom one battered by years of road grit isn't cooperating. I think the string method will have to be attempted as rhauri comments the spring loops are narrow.

[JNC]

I use a length of fence wire, Feed it through the spring loop then twist either end around a screw driver and pull .Works for me 

[Manstein]

Saved ! my farmer neighbour arrived with some logs and between us we got the spring off with a bit of para cord. Bottom spring looked a bit tired so got a couple of new ones on order.

[John Vine]

Pipe grips are your friend. Just align the jaws with the curved ends of the spring loops and squeeze gently.

JV

[tomwood]

I had to tackle this job the other day too. In the end I managed it really easily once I'd settled on using cable ties. You can position a few of them around the spring and progressively tighten each one until the springs are totally compressed. They act in much the same way as Spring compressors do on conventional suspension.

you can then put the springs back on really easily as well and simply cut the cable ties to get the spring to tension up again.

Tom

 

 

 

[Alan Reeves]

Cable ties are the favoured option I believe

[Manstein]

Thanks for the info from all. Any thoughts on reassembling the exhaust fit dry or some high temp sealer?

[John Vine]

...cable ties.

That's a neat idea -- thanks, Tom.  I'll try it next time I swap out the cat.

...high temp sealer?

Well, I don't but some folks swear by it.  I suppose it depends on how snug a fit the primaries make in the collector.  Leaks there can confuse the lambda sensor and lead to over-fuelling.

JV

[JNC]

You may need to loosen the primary's at the head to align the pipes ! Once in place retighten 

[tomwood]

No high temp sealer from me either.

The cat that's come off the car didn't have it and the decat pipe that's gone back in its place doesn't either and in both cases the seal has been good.

Tom

[sjl1]

I used mole grips to pull springs off but on new car the decat pipe hooks required me to screw the spring over the wire ends to effectively lengthen sping ends so it could be pulled over hook, made it much easier