# Twisted Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota, tercel\ **Created:** [September 25, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562 "2010-09-25T16:08:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![10Ohio10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/8797f3/32.png) [@10Ohio10](https://community.cartalk.com/u/10Ohio10)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/1 "2010-09-25T16:08:59Z")
My mechanic says I need a “twisted pipe” for my '94 Tercel. Is there another name for this? I can’t find any reference to it in Toyota manual. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/2 "2010-09-25T16:11:56Z")
If it’s related to the exhaust system, he probably meant a Flex-Pipe. [http://www.jcwhitney.com/stainless-steel-exhaust-flex-coupler-kits/p2012408.jcwx?filterid=c12774j1](http://www.jcwhitney.com/stainless-steel-exhaust-flex-coupler-kits/p2012408.jcwx?filterid=c12774j1) Tester ---
**Author:** ![10Ohio10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/8797f3/32.png) [@10Ohio10](https://community.cartalk.com/u/10Ohio10)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/3 "2010-09-25T16:35:15Z")
It does have to do with the exhaust system near the front. He also called is a spiral something?? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/4 "2010-09-25T16:47:24Z")
Yep. The flex-pipe is what allows the connection between the slightly twisting engine while under load to the exhaust system. Without this flex-pipe the exhaust system could hit underneath the vehicle, or the exhaust pipes could crack. Tester ---
**Author:** ![10Ohio10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/8797f3/32.png) [@10Ohio10](https://community.cartalk.com/u/10Ohio10)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/5 "2010-09-28T19:37:36Z")
Thanks all. Now all I need to figure out is the diameter I need. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/6 "2010-09-28T19:43:45Z")
Don’t try to figure out the diameter. Simply go to the parts store and utilize their expertise. They’ll look up your vehicle, pull up an “exploded view” drawing that shows all the parts, and you can pick the part from that…along with the additional hardware you’ll need. Don’t try to mickey-mouse this with generic parts…you’ll regret it. Use the correct parts. ---
**Author:** ![\_Deleted\_User1111116](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/ac91a4/32.png) [@\_Deleted\_User1111116](https://community.cartalk.com/u/_Deleted_User1111116)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 6:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/7 "2010-11-04T06:14:31Z")
Parts store expertise? Flex pipe on factory exhaust? The engine and exhaust pipe movement are supposed to move together. Ive never heard of any flex-pipe being used as factory equipment. It does work but leaks in short time. if its fairly easy to replace run with it…it works. Somebody please correct me if im wrong ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/8 "2010-11-04T21:21:08Z")
Consider yourself corrected. Car makers are using flex pipes now. They’re also using “flex joints”. That’s a joint in the exhaust with spring loaded flanges and a soft metal “doughnut” that allows some minimal articulating movement by design. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/9 "2010-11-04T21:47:06Z")
Flex pipe is used on almost all front wheel drive cars with transverse mounted engines. And I only say almost all because if I say all someone will find one that doesn’t have a flex pipe. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/10 "2010-11-04T22:12:04Z")
The others are correct, fwd cars just about all have these. Also, if you try to rig this on your own, you could easily end up with an exhaust leak, not a good thing to have, safety-wise. ---
**Author:** ![\_Deleted\_User1111116](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/ac91a4/32.png) [@\_Deleted\_User1111116](https://community.cartalk.com/u/_Deleted_User1111116)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/twisted-question/55562/11 "2010-11-04T22:26:17Z")
I stand corrected. I knew about the spring loaded joints with the donut but never seen factory flex pipe. Yours truly. Old School 🙂