The exhaust back box has fallen off

[ashley8bit]

I was driving the other day and I had that horrible sound of metal scraping along the tarmac The back box had come away from the pipe (seems to be common on bongos after reading through some threads).

Had a quote from a garage to buy and fit a new back box section and they want to charge £270+ for what I assume is parts and labour. Well the section is not that expensive to buy and I was wondering if I would be able to fit it myself. I have no exhaust fitting experience. If not can anyone recommend somewhere in the area who would not try and rip me off.

Thank you in advance.

[mikeonb4c]

If its just the back box it is eezy eezy peezy provided you have tools to get a good purchase on the rusty nuts that hold the flange joint between backbox and middle section. And you need access underneath the car, which you could probably achieev by parked with nn/s wheels on a decent kerbed pavement. If you can get underneath to undo the flange nuts you will be able to fit the new box. Back boxes (probably cheap patterns but sufficient I think) can be got off ebay pretty cheap.

BF member scanner and others will be along to advise you don't even need a back box, so that is an option too. But if you just want to play a straight game and get the job done, the advice in para.1 holds

Good luck and enjoy spending the rest on summat else. £270 indeed!

[David Edwards]

I got mine £50.00 on evil bay with next day delivery, then some peeps on here said they had done away with thier back box, wish I had known lol.

[scarlet]

just fitted a new centre pipe and back box it took me 45mins at the most the longest job was undoing the nuts on the back box i bought the back box for £60 and the centre box for £95 from automotve japanese spares on ebay i ordered it at 4.30 on friday and it arrived yesterday at 2.30pm and it was a good fit for a copy,

[scanner]

they want to charge £270+ for what

Exactly - For What?

They are having a

As Mike says my advice is dump it (to my mind it's a cr@p bit of design that is over large and over heavy) and if the "U" bend is OK either add a generic (and smaller, lighter) back box (I've seen them for £35) or just a length of straight pipe to get the exhaust out past the rear valance.

[Hippotastic]

I replaced my back box myself. I got the part of evil bay for £60 and fitted it no problems.

Only issues were getting one of the rubber grommets off and getting the back of the van in the air safely to ensure you can get at the nuts. I jacked mine up and put it on bricks (I am NOT recommending this to anyone, remember to play safe, use axel stands and do it right) to get clearance, and after this was accomplished, the task was easy.

The rear of the back box is only held in place by two rubber grommets, and the other end is two bolts on the flange. Dont forget a gasket to marry the new part to the existing exhaust, or as I did forget, use exhaust repair gunk.

[mikeonb4c]

Dont forget a gasket to marry the new part to the existing exhaust, or as I did forget, use exhaust repair gunk.

I was worried about that but Mister Munkey gave me his old back box. Whether the gasket was embedded in it or not I don't know but I never did locate a gasket, and I didn't use any sealant. Once clamped up, I couldn't detect any leakage of exhaust gas so reckoned it must just be fine, which didn't surprise me too much with the tightly bolted, well mated faces. Have I been very naughty?

[not so old]

Outback motors near King Lynn, charged us a lot less to supply and fit last year, so sounds toooooooo expensive . Why don't you give him a ring and check prices now!

[chief wiggam]

just had a full stainless exhaust fitted at a place in leeds for £250 .....and it was money very well spent.

[You've Been Bongod]

stainless is the way to go
you get a lifetime warrantee with it as long as you have it checked yearly

[ashley8bit]

I think I will go the fitting it myself route. I had a little look underneath and it seems like an ok job to sort out. I have a few more questions.

The back box i am going to buy says it comes with gasket and fittings. What exactly do they mean by fittings is this nuts and bolts?

This exhaust gunk you speak of. Where should I apply said gunk?

If the nuts and bolts aren't supplied with the back box where would I get replacements?

Thank you for your swift responses. This is the most helpful forum I have been a member of

[You've Been Bongod]

put the exhast putty around the new gasket when fitting
i doubt you will get new bolts with the exhaust so best bet would be to take your old ones to the place where you are buying it from and asking them to supply new bolts

good luck

[scanner]

For the nuts and bolts - any half decent ironmongers/hardware shop or car accessory shop.

[Umbongo]

My local Kwik Fit charged me £10 to fit a back box I bought on ebay. Not worth getting my hands dirty for that.

[dom_e]

I'm another one who purchased a back box and mid section from evil bay and got my local Bongo garage to fit it. £270 certainly sounds a bit steep!