A "Should there be a nut on the end of THIS bolt" question (serious - pic inside)
 

Hello

So I noticed after i picked up my car from gotham racing that my exhaust sounded "different" a flywheel and clutch dont alter the sound I know but its louder (and not in a good way)

Well tonight I got my car up on the ramps to take a peep - and This is the midpipe connecting my highflow cat and Racing beat exhaust - should there be a nut on the end of this bolt in the pic below? I noticed what I would assume is quite a lot of gap between the connectors. I havent noticed any exhaust leakage/smelled any.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9342/piperk9.th.jpg

Also if there do need to be two nuts on the end of these two bolts what size are they? I pass by an autozone every morning and can just get them and put them on myself since they are so cheap. i know they are something metric just what size specifically?

Thanks all in advance,

Jeff

that part is threaded.... put a nut on it if you want to..

the other side the spring is compressed.. the seal is tight?

looks like you are fine.

beers :beer:

well i suppose the seal is tight - i only have the front end up on ramps so i dont have much room to monkey around down there. I realize one side is spring compressed however the side that doenst have a nut on it... what exacly is it grabbing onto to keep everything "under compression"

I was poking around all around the exhaust system and this was the only thing I could really see that lookd to be a problem. I just want to make it go back to the "regular" sound im used to of the RP supercat and RB exhaust - there are times when im accelerating and around 4 to 6K on the tach i get vibrations from the exaust system and im GUESSING this is it?

Now I just need to know what size nut that bolt has -- any help in that dept folks?

if the springs on both sides are compressed your are fine...

if not. could you get a photo of the other side...

and yes. if not tight. that would make a big vib...

beers :beer:

That's a stud, not a bolt. Held in place by threads in the flange. No nut needed. In fact, it would likely be a chore to get out. If you think the joint is loose, check the torque on the nut on the spring end. That should be 33-44 ft-lbs. If it's leaking, you should be able to tell be listening. Probably need to get it up on a lift for a proper look/torque/listen.

Ken