I had to install a new resonator pipe on my old muffler and cat. First time doing exhaust and I have a feeling these pipes should be kissing but when cranking on the spring bolts it's getting pretty tough. Do i just need to keep cranking on it and kinda jiggle the pipe so these bolts will lock the two pipes together? Thanks for listening to my newb question.
The donut gasket should be sitting more flush with the cat pipe flange. Then you should be able to snug up the intermediate pipe before bolting it down. There will be some gap but not that much.
Yep, they will not (and should not) touch. You just need to make sure the donut gasket is properly mating to both surfaces. Then tighten down the bolts until they bottom out and then the springs should be under the proper tension. Having springs and a small gap between the flanges allows for motion between the two pieces while the donut still seals, and that is the purpose of the design.
