Donuts TOAST 3286 miles

[BA APEX]

I had allready bought donuts a few months ago and finally got around to repairing last years failures (donuts,bearings,bogies,track...)
here's what I found when I went to replace the donuts. each piece of donut is next to the flex pipe that it was connected to. funny that there was no damage to the Y pipes??
sled has only 3286 miles.

 

[Phazernut]

I'm curious if the 08 and up will have this trouble. I noticed on my exhaust that there is now an extra bolt holding the pipe in between the y pipe where the rear exhaust bolts to the Y. I'm sure it will stop a lot of the flexing issues.

 

[ReX]

While it may look like there is no damage to the y-pipes, I suspect you'll find the clamps won't tighten up with new donuts installed.

You'll probably need to grind down the spacer on the clamps to get the donuts tight.

 

[BA APEX]

While it may look like there is no damage to the y-pipes, I suspect you'll find the clamps won't tighten up with new donuts installed.

You'll probably need to grind down the spacer on the clamps to get the donuts tight.

They did actually tighten, not solid but enough that you can't turn with your fingers. I think I read here last winter not to over tighten them if you grind down the spacer. I may check them every 2000 miles any way.
I only put 1000 to 1500 miles a year.
BA

 

[rxwhopper]

that is just sick. this was not heard of on the 03 rx-1. what the heck happend

 

[turbine man]

I changed mine at 4500 miles, they were not as bad as yours look. Even though mine were not wore thru, i thought i could see possible see the y-pipe wearing thin in a couple of spots, i had to look very close. I reinstalled my pipes , see how long they last. I also ground down my clamps just a little. You may want to check all your steering bushings while you are in there, mine were all dryed out. Jeff

 

[bottlerocket]

Did Bender ever come out wth there replacement donuts? I heard that the material was different and that it was supposed to last longer. Any info?

 

[superb]

DONUTS

I have a 08 and they were replaced at 3750 miles.

 

[Roadrunner]

Did Bender ever come out wth there replacement donuts? I heard that the material was different and that it was supposed to last longer. Any info?

Yes, Bender did come out with donuts, bought a set from my dealer, they look pretty much the same as stock.

 

[bottlerocket]

Roadrunner keep us posted on how well they last. Maybe you could put a asphalt track and skis and ride around town during the summer. Just kidding but hope they hold up better.

 

[06vectorgt]

I have been looking into this situation since my own donuts self destructed at under 4k miles. (my Excell Header was also cracked) Did not know it has become such a wide problem.
I have been contacting industrial suppliers who make donuts for other exhaust systems (auto) to see if they offered anything a little more robust.
I also think that the clamping is substandard and even a better "V" -clamp with stock donuts would last longer. Was also thinking a v-clamp with a heavy spring on the bolt would help keep pressure on these donuts as they slowly wear. This I think is where the problem comes in - the graphite donuts wear and the clamp no longer provides clamping force on the connection and the wear just accelerates once the slop is present.

I brought down information to Aaron Excell and he strongly believes this could be the case but it would take some time to field test to verify.

http://www.breezeclamps.com/vband%20coupli.htm