Hello,

Inga is a 1986 245DL, 276K miles. Rear end has all poly bushings, overload springs and a 18mm sway bar. Also has a factory trailer hitch with a almost two year old Starla under the axle exhaust system. Cat Converter and Bosal header pipe were installed at the same time in August of 2008.

Noticed an exhaust rattle this weekend and finally got a chance to look under the car Sunday night. The dang under the axle Starla tailpipe is cracked again. I say again because this is the 2nd one to do this since the new exhaust was installed. The catalytic converter does seem to have a little upwards angle to it that I am sure creates more of a load that it should. Not sure if this is from the header pipe or the cat converter. Could be a combination of both of them. The fit is actually very good to my eyes at least with the exception of the stress that the under the axle pipe seems to be enduring.

There has too be stress on that pipe from the axle travel and after a while it starts to split right behind the resonator. The first tailpipe broke clean in half leaving a red light less than a year ago. This crack was in the exact same spot and was about 3/4 of the way through. For right now I cut the cracked section out and have a little extension hammered and clamped in place for now. This is a very short term fix and I would like to get this fixed before the heat hits the upper 90's instead of the upper 80's.

The logical solution to me at least is to try and find a tail pipe that goes over the axle to remove the load on that pipe. Problem is that I have looked at all the regular suspects for this part and can't seem to locate a source that has it. The local Euro house does not list the part even being made anymore.

I have read in the archives about the factory kit having the pipe in it, however the two mufflers are still in very good shape. Buying an all new exhaust to get a single pipe is a bit extreme.

Does anyone have a source where you can order this tailpipe?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

Regards,

Paul