in message
If there's anything that makes a car sound like a junker it's that
rattle. I have a '95 Legacy with the problem. I guess one could just
pull the thing off, but I understand it can be a safety concern when
parking on grass, etc. I'm just wondering what others have done about
this. Thanks!
I call it bandiron. I think it's called strapping tape in the hardware
stores. It is flexible metal strip that is perforated with 1/4" holes.
Comes in thin and heavy thickness so get the thick stuff. It's
galvanized but the thin stuff will rust out is less than a winter (due
to road salt). The thicker stuff is harder to mold to shape but lasts
longer. See
http://www.pexsupply.com/product_dtl.asp?pID=5180&brand=Generic&cID=711
for a picture.
You wrap it around whatever you want to compress and use a long 1/4"
bolt and nut to pull it together. Try to wrap it around so it takes the
least amount of bandiron so when you tighten it you aren't stretching
out crimps or bends. At the ends, you slide in a bolt through the hole
at one end and through the hole at the other, affix a nut, and tighten
which pulls the bandiron taut. Don't bother cutting it to length
because you'll always be wrong. Wrap it around, put the bolt through
the hold on the end, and try to reach the farthest hole you possibly can
and still get the nut on the end of the bolt. It can help to bend the
tape at a right-angle on both the bolt head end and the hole you are
trying to get it through. On something like a muffler or converter, I'd
probably use a 3" bolt so I had a good distance to tighten up the tape.
If you are just fixing the rusted through clamps on the ends of the heat
shields by using the bandiron to secure them again, probably 1-1/2 or 2
inch bolts are okay. Just grab a selection of 1/4" bolts for length to
see what works best.
While I recommend using a locknut, do not use the type with the plastic
insert as you are placing it next to the hot pipe or converter. Use the
type that has the nut slightly crushed (making it irregular shaped).
You'll see little round dimples on 3 of the 6 faces. That locknut is
just metal. Harder to put on and off but then if the bandiron rusts
through it breaks apart or if you need it off you just use a snips to
cut it.
After a week of putting it on, you'll want to re-tighten the bandiron
due to any stretching (not necessarily of the tape but due to pulling
out bends or crimps) or deformation of the shield you secured.
