How to Use Exhaust Clamps

Why are exhaust clamps needed?

Exhaust clamps are necessary to hold your exhaust pipe together. Exhaust leaks occur when an exhaust clamp fails and the joints between the pipes start to separate. These leaks can be costly because they reduce your car’s optimum performance.

Luckily, replacing or installing exhaust clamps is an easy DIY task that can be completed in minutes using basic tools and hardware. Exhaust clamps are inexpensive and quick to install, so you won’t have to break the bank or spend too much time on this job. Plus, you’ll save money by not needing to hire a mechanic.

How to install or repair exhaust clamps

Exhaust clamps can be repaired by soldering the cracks in the welds in order to increase the life of your clamp by a few extra months or years. This is not always necessary though—replacing your existing clamps with new ones is an easy job that any one with good mechanical aptitude can handle it themselves and save some money in doing so! Keep in mind exhaust clamps are usually cheap so if repair isn’t needed then replacement might just be best option all around as well!

If you’re like most people, you’re not sure how to use exhaust clamps. (I know I wasn’t.) Many of us don’t even know what they are, really. To me, they were just those silver things hanging off the back of my car that looked vaguely scary and made a weird sound sometimes. Fortunately for you, I’ve done my research and have some tips on how to install or repair exhaust clamps.

The first thing you need to do is buy the right size clamp for your vehicle—you can find that at any auto parts store. Next, make sure you have the right tools before installing or repairing the clamp!

Exhaust clamps on older autos

The clamps are made of metal, and some may have a bolt which allows you to tighten or loosen the clamp. Depending on the type of vehicle, age and climate where you drive, these clamps may not be very sturdy or even last you long before rusting or breaking. They also can become misaligned if they aren’t installed properly.

If you’re replacing your exhaust system yourself, make sure to use quality exhaust clamps that are appropriate for your vehicle’s age and weight. Your mechanic should be able to recommend some options for your specific vehicle model and year.

Exhaust clamps on the newer models

Exhaust clamps are usually located in the front of the muffler. Some cars have a second exhaust clamp located on the down tube, which is about a foot from the back of the car. In some vehicles, there will be an exhaust clamp located on the exhaust pipe, which is about a few inches from where it enters into the muffler. It’s also possible for there to be an additional exhaust clamp located in the middle of the exhaust system. The last possible location for an exhaust clamp is at the end of your exhaust pipe.

How to clean the exhaust clamp

Remove the exhaust clamp.
Clean the clamp.

As you can see, we’ve got a little bit of dirt and rust build-up here. You’ll want to get all of that off using steel wool or a wire brush.

We’ll start by using some steel wool, then finish with a wire brush to get the remaining dirt and dust off.

You don’t have to get every single inch of it clean—just try and make sure most of it is nice and smooth so you have a good surface for tightening your new exhaust clamp on to.

The exhaust clamp is an inexpensive, vital part for your car.

As a rule, it’s important that your cars exhaust clamp is installed properly. If this is not done, and the exhaust clamp slips off, it can be a safety hazard for you and others.

In order to protect yourself from this type of problem, one of the first things you should do upon buying any vehicle is to take it in for an inspection. The mechanic will check the condition of each part and replace any worn out or damaged areas with new ones. This way you’ll find out if there are any loose clamps or other parts that need replacing before they become a safety issue.

If your car starts making noise when accelerating or driving fast then this could also indicate that there might be something wrong with your vehicles exhaust clamp. The best thing to do would be taking them in for regular maintenance checks so they can deal with anything they may find before it gets worse. It’s always better safe than sorry!