Holy exhaust

forgotmyname

The issue is the metal in contact with the bracket is not rusty its the join.

Appears to have a coating on it and not proper stainless steel. Or its cheap crap with so many impurities the term stainless is way more of the less variety.

Robisere

That joint and clamp have been 'blowing' and rotting for some time. It would not surprise me if the whole thing broke away. It needs either the two sections replacing, or sleeving and welding as advised. People are generally unaware that corrosion in exhaust systems comes mainly from the inside of the pipes, created by the chemicals and acids that pass along the pipe.

When you go to the garage for the other work, ask if they can effect a temporary, sleeve and weld repair. But plan to replace the affected rear sections, when you can afford that. When you do, have normal mild steel exhaust pipes fitted. Only very expensive Stainless steel exhausts last long enough to make a difference: the cheap systems are rubbish. As you have discovered. Top-class SS systems are mostly used on Classic cars, for obvious reasons. I used to work on Classics and have fitted many, they last a long time but fitting them to 'everyday' cars is simply uneconomic.

Richard53

One thing, stainless steel does rust, it just rusts very slowly. For kitchen items which are regularly cleaned, you never see it. For things like exhausts, it happens, but usually at such a slow rate that it hardly matters (unless you are in a marine environment, for example, where a high quality alloy is essential). Low quality stainless will rust quicker, obviously. I've had a couple of stainless exhausts on motorcycles which have failed, but always at a weld. Perhaps the high temperature of welding changes the nature of the metal, I don't know. Is that what has happened here?

AdrianC

Richard53 wrote: »

I've had a couple of stainless exhausts on motorcycles which have failed, but always at a weld. Perhaps the high temperature of welding changes the nature of the metal, I don't know.

The wire or rod that's used will make a big difference, too.

Is that what has happened here?

No, it's not failed at a weld.

JustAnotherSaver

Regards this coating ...

I had Hammerite spray paint out under the car at the weekend. I was spraying up the subframe & other areas that had been hit with the rust.

I saw the clamp & just gave it a quick squirt since i'd finished the rest of what i was doing & there was just dregs in the can.

So i don't know if that's what you may be seeing?