[sprucemoose]

During one of the many recent safety-focused threads, there was some discussion about the importance of doing a good FWF inspection anytime the hood is open, such as during an oil change. Well, as luck would have it I was doing an oil change yesterday and caught this. This is one of the exhaust hangars from a stock Vetterman system, vintage 2002. This installation has a little over 600 hours on it and this is the first one of these that has broken.

Two things are noteworthy- first, I often give my exhaust pipes a little grab and shake to check for this sort of breakage- in fact I did so while gassing up for the flight before this oil change, and I didn't note any unusual movement, due to the location and nature of how the parts rested together after the break (I moved the parts around to make for a better picture.) Second, it was only about 15 hours since I last looked under the hood and everything was fine at that time, so this happened in a short period of time.

 

[Ironflight]

I had almost the exact same break last fall - at least it is an easy fix Jeff - Vetterman says he has a box of those things....

Paul

 

[Sam Buchanan]

During one of the many recent safety-focused threads, there was some discussion about the importance of doing a good FWF inspection anytime the hood is open, such as during an oil change. Well, as luck would have it I was doing an oil change yesterday and caught this. This is one of the exhaust hangars from a stock Vetterman system, vintage 2002. This installation has a little over 600 hours on it and this is the first one of these that has broken.[/IMG]

Jeff,

I've had 2-3 breakages over the past 13 years. I carry a length of 3/8" automotive brake line in the plane (and keep some in the hangar) so a new support can be quickly made if necessary. I asked Larry Vetterman about these pieces many years ago and he told me the brake line is a "factory approved" replacement.

When you make the new part, squeeze the flat into the tube "progressively" so there is a gentle transition from round to flat. This will reduce the tendency for stress fracture.

 

[newtech]

Yup, just found mine this morning. Getting some brake line this afternoon

 

[Marc DeGirolamo]

Use stainless

I"ve had to repair mine a couple of times (same problem..brakes at the bend)......Finally made a set out of stainless tubing....problem solved..

 

[sprucemoose]

I haven't had time to go back and fix this since I found it on Saturday. I was planning to make a new piece out of some 3/8 .035 4130 tubing scrap. It's easy to heat and form the flat part, and I think it might be more durable in the long run than the thin stainless. Has anyone else ever tried this, and what were the results?

 

[gasman]

When you make the new part, squeeze the flat into the tube "progressively" so there is a gentle transition from round to flat. This will reduce the tendency for stress fracture.

Plus, before you squeeze the tube (like above) fill the last 2 inches with RTV.

 

[vic syracuse]

I used a little larger diameter and thicker-walled 4130 tube and did NOT crush the ends flat. I just drilled through them and they seem to last a lot longer. Hopefully they will not need replacing, or break at the most inopportune time.

Vic

 

[mv031161]

thanks for sharing!

 

[turbo]

i made mine out of solid steel rod of the same diameter. flattened the ends with a bfh. i dought they will ever break again. i also replaced the rubber hoses with stronger ones with stainless reinforcement. viola.