Remove the rear silencer!

[Midge]

Got a holed front silencer on our Golf, so thought I might as well replace front and back as they were fitted same time some years ago. Old and new are aftermarket and there is a lap joint between the two.

Front is sorted, but try as I might, I can't see how to get the back box off as its a big beast and the pipe goes over the rear suspension, and no amount of twisting, turning etc. got me to a position where I could wrestle it out. Whilst I could have cut it, I wasn't about to do that without understanding how to get the new one in! I had the car on ramps so unless I'm missing some special technique, my only conclusion was it needs to go on axle stands such that the rear axle is unloaded and might drop down far enough for me to get the thing out. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

[Crasher]

So it has already been cut and sleeved to the centre silencer?

[Midge]

So it has already been cut and sleeved to the centre silencer?

Hi Crasher. Hope you're well. The old system was fitted by a garage and was a Bosal 105-109 front box, and an A2A back box (I have a vague recollection they had trouble sourcing matching items at the time.....).


Unlike the Bosal back box shown in their catalogue below which has a sleeve joint (265-129) linking the two, the A2A is a lap joint on the end, as is the new Klarius back box it is going to be replaced with (photo also below).


That did make me wonder if Bosal know something the other two don't! i.e. the inlet pipe to the Bosal back box is going to be at least a couple of inches shorter than the A2A/Klarius items, and possibly more if the tubes don't actually butt fully together within the joint,
but it's difficult to tell if that would make enough difference when it comes to getting the box out.


Thanks.


Bosal.jpg

Old A2A back box.jpg

New Klarius back box.jpg

[Midge]

PS - just found a video on YouTube (a 2.0L engine car) where he is clearly working on a ramp, and mentions its a bit of fight to get the back box on, but I notice the back box he is fitting is also a butt joint, AND the box itself looks a flatter design.

VW Golf MK4 Golf 2 0 Muffler Replacement - YouTube


I noticed in the comments the following, so I'm obviously not the first to hit problems.

Comments.jpg

[Crasher]

If the car is on the deck you will struggle, Bosal parts are OK but we try and get people to have the genuine “ECO” centre and rear which at less than £300 is a lot more but long lasting and they fit… Other than that there is Ernst, Leitsrtriz and other OE suppliers that you can get absolutely top quality parts from via online sellers from Germany.

[Midge]

If the car is on the deck you will struggle, Bosal parts are OK but we try and get people to have the genuine “ECO” centre and rear which at less than £300 is a lot more but long lasting and they fit… Other than that there is Ernst, Leitsrtriz and other OE suppliers that you can get absolutely top quality parts from via online sellers from Germany.

Ahhh well - lesson learnt Crasher, thanks. I'll get in it up on stands and drop the axle down a bit. At least I've had practice doing the springs a while back