Mid-exaust is hanging

[Stallion]

Let me try to explain this:

I have a '78, and of course that means no true duals. So, you know where the pipes come together? And they are "hung" in a way so that they, well, don't just flop and they have some support?

Well this "hanger" is either non-existent or broken. I have yet to get close to it, but I see that nothing is attached there.

How big of a deal is it to replace this part? Just get it on some jack stands and start wrenching?

Thanks!

TR

[redhot80]

Mine was broken too. I put mine on a lift. If you buy the part from an autopart dealer the hanger is $58.00. It was easy for me because I already had the rear pipes off on my 80. I would think you would need to drop the rear pipes to get to the bracket.

[Stallion]

So are you saying that I would pretty much have to take off the whole exaust from that hanger back?

[redhot80]

You may be able to get to the bolts that hold the hangar with a socket set but I'm not sure you get to the bolts with the car on the ground. Probably if you took the car to a muffler shop or your mechanic where you get the car on a lift its only a 5 minute job. I replaced the rear spring so I had to take the pipes out. You will need some room to get your hands around the pipes.

[Stallion]

Hmmm...you think a shop would just let me use their lift for an alotment of time?

[redhot80]

There are shops around here that rent lifts. If not the next time you get your oil changed ask them how much to install the part.

[Stallion]

I change my own oil.

I was just looking at it, and it shouldn't be a big deal to change. It seems to be rubber, though, the hanger that it is. Know what I mean? It broke off, I need to replace that. And it is rivetted into the one piece, so it should be a set sort of thing.

What exactly is this piece called? Where can I get it, just this single piece? Thanks!

TR

[redhot80]

The hangar on my car had two bolts at the top and then wrapped around the pipes with a metal tab. I made the rubber piece aout of 1/2 inch rubber. The hangar itself is available at any muffler shop.

[Stallion]

Okay, I'm not sure if this is the part that I need. It is from Ecklers:

76-78 Hanger, Rr Crossover Pipe [exc. 1978 Shp]

Is this what I need?

Thanks!

TR

[redhot80]

That should be the part. The local chevy dealer had one that fit my car so you also want to check there.

[Stallion]

Okay, I looked in the Assembly Manual, and the part number is 357781 and it is the Hanger Asm. Now, I just have to find this part. How do you search for a part with this number? How would I do this?

Thanks!

[Stallion]

I just went to GMPartsDirect.com and typed in that number, and it came up with nothing. Am I doing something wrong? How can I find this part!?

[redhot80]

I would GM dealership and have them crossreference the number. There propably has been an update for that part.

[JohnZ]

TR, Service parts hardly ever have the same part number as the equivalent production-line part shown in the Assembly Manual, due to packaging, finishes, installation hardware included, etc. Just go to your dealer and tell him what you need and he can look up the applicable Service part.

[Stallion]

Okay, I will. Just any GM dealer? Or can it be GM owner counter-part (Chevy, etc.)? I never really had to do this before, sorry for the ignorant question.