Date:         Fri, 3 Jun 2005 16:01:45 -0400
Reply-To:     Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: muffler straps
In-Reply-To:  <BAY13-F4FCBEA77612BA53CF9D30DA070@phx.gbl>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I have successfully used metal coat hangers in place of the muffler
strap.  Cut twice to get the handle and hooked part out of it.  Get it
close to straight but with a long gentle curve.  Push through the bolt
whole in the bracket and come around to the bottom.   Take a pair of
pliers and twist until you get all the slack out of it.  Repeat with a
second one and get it almost as tight.  It is then the backup.  Watch
for the sharp ends when crawling around under the van.

I used this method for the last two years of my 84's "life."   You can
get six months or so out of a coat hanger.  Part of the trick is to get
it tight enough, but not so tight that you fatigue the metal.  It is
hard to find a place where there isn't a coat hanger and a common set of
pliers.  It is harder to cut the coat hanger with the pliers than with a
good set of wire cutters, but it can be done.

Sam

--
Sam Walters
Baltimore, MD

89 Syncro GL
85 Westy Weekender

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