Custom Exhaust work

Maintenance/Repairs
1

I am inexperienced in custom exhasut work and have a dumb question for someone with a tiny bit of experience more than me.



I want to expand the diameter of a pipe so it may slip into a joining pipe and clamp it together. What tool do I NEED to expand the pipe ID about .06". I am confused by conflicting information on the internet so I am asking to be dead certain.



Will a “pipe Expnader” used with a hand wrench be adaquat to expand the 2" steel pipe about .06 in diameter?



Or



Will I need a “pipe stretcher” that is used with an impact wrench?



My sense is the latter because of the force needed move that amount of material but I don’t want to guess.



Also I don’t want to spend an extra $80 for a tool I may not need. Thanks in advance.

2

A flare tool may do it…but your best bet would get a sleeve that goes over the pipe.

3

I second that idea Mike . . . don’t stress the pipe if you don’t have to . . . just put a sleeve over the two pieces. Rocketman

4

To expand an exhaust pipe you’ll need an expander that uses an impact wrench. You can’t develope enough force to expand a pipe by hand. But if you must have a slip joint at this connection, take the pipe you want expanded to a muffler shop. For a couple of bucks they’ll use a hydraulic expander to expand the pipe.

Tester

5

Thanks. I know about using a sleeve to couple the pipe togeather but I was trying to do it cleaner. Practicality may have to dictate using a sleeve as suggested.

It sounds like the “expanders” to be used with a hand wrench are only for repairing out of round pipe and not forming a larger diameter for slip fitting together

6

Expanders cannot be used by hand. Impact wrench only and they are good for the out of round and flat spots from dropping as you had already stated. Sleeves and/or hydraulic expanders will fix it.