Norma clamp!

[Prospect62]

Guys I can't get this damn thing to stop leaking. It started with a light "tick tick tick" on cold start that I traced to this clamp/coupler. I ordered a replacement in accordance with the directions in this bulletin:

https://gm-techlink.com/?p=7001

I broke the bolt of the first GM replacement clamp because I was trying to get it to seal (it wouldn't). I ordered another one and broke the bolt on that one too, because torqueing this to spec STILL wouldn't seal the leak, so I kept tightening until it snapped. I went to Lowe's and bought a replacement bolt which I torqued to spec just to get it all back together but...it still leaks.

Yes, I'm sure this is where the noise is coming from. Obviously it's a known issue because of that bulletin. Has anyone else encountered this issue and how did you solve it? I cannot get these silly "Norma" clamps to seal. I'm to the point where I'd like to take this to a muffler shop and have them just weld the two ends together!

Help!

 

[George B]

I wonder if a guy could use something like this.

https://fxexhaust.com/splits3tri.html

 

[Prospect62]

Appreciate that suggestion but don't think something like that would work. The pipe ends are pretty much a ball and socket and the clamp has like a scooped out design that, in theory, covers the ball and socket entirely and seals them together. In theory.

 

[PG01]

Guys I can't get this damn thing to stop leaking. It started with a light "tick tick tick" on cold start that I traced to this clamp/coupler. I ordered a replacement in accordance with the directions in this bulletin:

https://gm-techlink.com/?p=7001

I broke the bolt of the first GM replacement clamp because I was trying to get it to seal (it wouldn't). I ordered another one and broke the bolt on that one too, because torqueing this to spec STILL wouldn't seal the leak, so I kept tightening until it snapped. I went to Lowe's and bought a replacement bolt which I torqued to spec just to get it all back together but...it still leaks.

Yes, I'm sure this is where the noise is coming from. Obviously it's a known issue because of that bulletin. Has anyone else encountered this issue and how did you solve it? I cannot get these silly "Norma" clamps to seal. I'm to the point where I'd like to take this to a muffler shop and have them just weld the two ends together!

Help!

View attachment 258989

You put any permatex exhaust sealer or similar on there? I’d try that first.

 

[Prospect62]

You put any permatex exhaust sealer or similar on there? I’d try that first.

Never put much stock into that stuff, always felt it was a high school kid gimmick (not to mention a $55,000 truck shouldn't need paste to seal the exhaust).

That said - I'm going to try it. When the time comes for a cat-back I guess I'll see if they can chop and weld that stupid ball and socket right out of there.

Will try the Permatex and post up results I guess.

 

[George B]

Appreciate that suggestion but don't think something like that would work. The pipe ends are pretty much a ball and socket and the clamp has like a scooped out design that, in theory, covers the ball and socket entirely and seals them together. In theory.

I guess it was a kind of dumb idea...

 

[Prospect62]

I guess it was a kind of dumb idea...

I'm pretty desperate...I don't mind hearing suggestions. Just don't see it helping.

 

[George B]

I'm pretty desperate...I don't mind hearing suggestions. Just don't see it helping.

I was seeing two of them that fit the pipe pretty tight and using them to pull the ball and socket together with bolts. I liked the three bolt ones best.

 

[Prospect62]

Ah I see what you mean. I suppose that might work!

 

[Mechanic421]

Not hard to replace the manifold gasket. I can usuallyget three head pipe nuts by heating and cooling . But the hard part is drilling out the bolts broken off in the head! It can be done, if it is a pick up I will remove body bolts in the side I am working on and loosen the other side and jack up the cab. Just watch things like brake and shifter cables and stuff like that. Just replace with apr exhaust bolts and you will be good to go.

 

[Danny3737]

I kind of doubt it’s a problem with the clamp. It’s either an alignment issue between the 2 pieces or just a bad fit between the two. I don’t see why some high temp RTV wouldn’t fix the problem.

 

[STORMIN08]

i would find a reputable shop and go V Band, even at work...we use antisieze a lot to seal leaks.

 

[Prospect62]

Not hard to replace the manifold gasket. I can usuallyget three head pipe nuts by heating and cooling . But the hard part is drilling out the bolts broken off in the head! It can be done, if it is a pick up I will remove body bolts in the side I am working on and loosen the other side and jack up the cab. Just watch things like brake and shifter cables and stuff like that. Just replace with apr exhaust bolts and you will be good to go.

It's not the manifold gasket that's leaking, it's this stupid Norma clamp.

i would find a reputable shop and go V Band, even at work...we use antisieze a lot to seal leaks.

Antiseize? Really?

 

[Prospect62]

i would find a reputable shop and go V Band, even at work...we use antisieze a lot to seal leaks.

Anti

I kind of doubt it’s a problem with the clamp. It’s either an alignment issue between the 2 pieces or just a bad fit between the two. I don’t see why some high temp RTV wouldn’t fix the problem.

I was thinking that, too. It would take at least two people to manhandle the two sides together as tightly as they need to be. The clamp does noting to draw the two sides together, so you have to somehow with one arm pull the pipes together and tighten the nut with the other hand.

 

[STORMIN08]

yes...we regularly apply antisieze to leaky flexatallic gaskets

i would have a friend or a shop aid in alignment, then tighten...possibly something has been bent or a hnger has failed allowing the pipe to rotate slightly.

 

[Rocket Man]

yes...we regularly apply antisieze to leaky flexatallic gaskets

i would have a friend or a shop aid in alignment, then tighten...possibly something has been bent or a hnger has failed allowing the pipe to rotate slightly.

There’s no gasket at this joint. It’s a ball-and-socket connection.

 

[Mechanic421]

Now I remember! At this point have a muffler shop weld a flange in or weld it solid.

 

[STORMIN08]

very well aware of the no gasket, but the thicker fluidity of a couplant (in this case IT could be an antisieze), AIDS IN FILLING THE VOID.

not saying it is the best fix, but if it is a bent pipe or damaged flange, this could be a get by fix until funds allow a correct approach

sometimes, the simple mind only can see through the provide hole

 

[exp500]

I would try jacking the assembly upto desired position, ratchet strap or bar clamp pieces together and re-install clamp before I give up and buy a new one.

 

[Doubeleive]

I would try some form of sleeve inside the outer clamp so that it makes it fit tighter, maybe something thicker than tin foil, like some type of thin flexible metal. My theory is it would act as a form of gasket and make the fit tighter at the same time.