96 Golf muffler question

The connecting pipe between front and rear muffler broke on my 96 Golf and
both mufflers appear to be at the end of their life. The replacement looks
simple if I can separate the front muffler from the long pipe that leads to
the cat. The joint that I need to take apart has a flat clamp that is
directly under a rib or stiffener that seems to be bolted to the floor
boards. Is it OK to remove this stiffener so that I can get a better shot
at the clamp? I'd hate to see the car start to sag if I take it off.
Anyone have a recommendation for the tightening torque when I put it back
on?
RC

Raymond Cruz wrote:

> The connecting pipe between front and rear muffler broke on my 96 Golf and
> both mufflers appear to be at the end of their life. The replacement looks
> simple if I can separate the front muffler from the long pipe that leads to
> the cat. The joint that I need to take apart has a flat clamp that is
> directly under a rib or stiffener that seems to be bolted to the floor
> boards. Is it OK to remove this stiffener so that I can get a better shot
> at the clamp? I'd hate to see the car start to sag if I take it off.
> Anyone have a recommendation for the tightening torque when I put it back
> on?
> RC
>

I've removed that brace before, it doesn't seem to serve much purpose
when the car is sitting still. You shouldn't have any problems
reinstalling it.

good luck,

nate


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"Nate Nagel" > wrote in message
...
> Raymond Cruz wrote:
>
>> The connecting pipe between front and rear muffler broke on my 96 Golf
>> and
>> both mufflers appear to be at the end of their life. The replacement
>> looks
>> simple if I can separate the front muffler from the long pipe that leads
>> to
>> the cat. The joint that I need to take apart has a flat clamp that is
>> directly under a rib or stiffener that seems to be bolted to the floor
>> boards. Is it OK to remove this stiffener so that I can get a better
>> shot
>> at the clamp? I'd hate to see the car start to sag if I take it off.
>> Anyone have a recommendation for the tightening torque when I put it back
>> on?
>> RC
>>
>
> I've removed that brace before, it doesn't seem to serve much purpose when
> the car is sitting still. You shouldn't have any problems reinstalling
> it.
>
> good luck,
>
> nate

Yep...the A2 has a similar bar and it comes in/out easily and I never had a
problem with it coming loose after I've messed with it. Go for
it...shouldn't be a problem.