Apologies in advance for the sketchy details in this question... .

Couple of weeks ago noticed a metallic sounding rattle from the front of my '93 SL2 (auto). Found the remains of the rusted through muffle clamp
that was hanging on to the front down pipe before it bends towards the rear of the car (and in front of the flex connection).

Purchased new 2" clamp and attached the downpipe to an adjacent upright tab on the front subframe/crossmember. Here's where it gets weird... .

Since I've never paid attention to this clamp before (and don't remember it from other SLs), I am wondering if this really serves some purpose of was
some hack a previous owner/mechanic had done.

It looks like it's supposed to be there (I guess) but can't seem to make sense why it would be needed - seems counterintuitive to try to mount the downpipe
securely considering the amount of movement the engine makes.

 

Pipe to pipe gets clamped. Flanges are flanges.

 

Could have been used to repair a heat shield years ago.

 

The down pipe is secured to the engine stiffener just forward of the flex joint. It is necessary to support the exhaust when the engine twists. That clamp was probably someones repair of the original clamp.

 

Thanks for that, I have never worked on an S with either engine.

 

I've been driving s cars since 92 and I don't I think I ever noticed it.

 

Think you're on the right track - will see if I can find something better to replace it with.

Thanks!

 

The original is a flat clamp with rod end tightening bolts. It' s purpose is to prevent flexing the pipe at the manifold end.

The OEM clamps rust and generally don' t recycle well - so somebody replaced the manifold to catcon section (probably bad flex pipe) and replaced with a standard muffler clamp.

 

Used 2" muffler clamp as a temporary fix until I find a better solution for this application. Inserted a small piece of heat resistant fiberglas tape between pipe and attachment tab in an effort to isolate it and help dampen vibration from transmitting to it. May use a stainless steel band clamp to make a cleaner look and save 3/4" of clearance due to clamp projecting downward.

 

@Greg97SW2
You mentioned a clamp forward of the flex pipe.
@onlinebiker
You are describing a clamp between the flex pipe and catcon.

Seems like we are not discussing the same part....are we?
The clamp forward of the flex pipe is the one i don't remember seeing. It's not on my 95SC2... But then again I'm still trying to figure out how the person who last did exhaust work on the car managed to have it in way off center. Is this clamp forward of the flex pipe connected to the connected to the frame?