The procedure to replace an exhaust flex pipe will depend on where the pipe is located and whether it is bolted or welded in place. If, for instance, the flex pipe is mounted between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter - and it is integrated into the down pipe - the entire section of exhaust pipe from the engine to the catalytic converter or beyond will need to be removed in order to cut out the old part and weld in a new one. That type of repair cannot be performed while the exhaust system is in place.

Since it is common for a flex pipe to be used in the down pipe section of the exhaust system, general steps to replacing the component might include:

• Lift and support your vehicle in the air to access the exhaust system
• Unfasten the nearest bolt-together junction available so that the foremost section can be removed from the vehicle
• Disconnect the wiring to the oxygen sensor(s)
• Unbolt the down pipe from the exhaust manifold
• Remove the forward section of the exhaust system from the vehicle
• Cut the flex pipe at each end
• Prep the surface of the remaining down pipe sections
• Weld the new flex pipe to the remaining sections
• Insert the repaired downpipe section in the vehicle and fasten to both the exhaust manifold and the rear section of the exhaust system
• Reconnect the oxygen sensor(s)
• Lower the vehicle and start the engine to verify that the leak has been repaired In some cases, a technician might forgo the welding process by replacing the entire down pipe section with a new one. This depends on the types of replacement components available and will differ from one vehicle make and model to the next.