Removing old exhaust rings

[ccs]

Hello Everybody;

When I bought my new MAC 4-1 exhaust, the guy suggested I also purchase 4 new "compresion rings".

I've been looking at the exhaust ports on the bike and just can't tell whether there are any existing rings -- looks like there are, but I don't want to go prying around with any sharpt objects before I know for sure.

Can anyone tell me how to tell if there are rings there and how to extract them?


TIA.

Charles...

[brveagle]

They are a pain for sure... They are more commonly known as exhaust gaskets...

The best way to tell if they are in there is to get a new set of ebay, and then slide them in and you'll see exactly where the old ones are....

Beware though, if they are orginal, they will be highly baked in there...

[ccs]

Beware though, if they are orginal, they will be highly baked in there...

That's what I'm afraid of -- I have an 82' GS850 and just removed the stock exhaust (28,000 miles).

Do the old ones have to be removed? If so, how do you get them out? (Spray them with WD40, hammer and chisel?)

Or can I just put new ones on top of the old?

Charles...

[Nessism]

Use a pick or screwdriver to get one edge to lift up.

[bwringer]

Yup, the originals often need to be persuaded out with a screwdriver, a strong pick, and a little tapping and cursing.

And yes, they MUST come out and get replaced whenever you remove the exhaust or you run the risk of a leak. They get crushed to form the seal.

[ccs]

Well... Thanks to everyone for their input.

I got the old rings out by tapping under the out edge using a jewelers screwdriver and a make shift hammer.

Took a little bit of elbow grease and about an hour -- but all 4 came out fairly easily once I was able to put a crimp in the ring and get the crewdrive to put a dent/bend in it.

Thanks again.

Charles...