OT-A2 Jetta Question

[rfkellner at snet.net (Rick Kellner)]

T, thanks for the reply.  The exhaust rattle and banging are new.  I
replaced the muffler clamp with a heaver duty one than was originally
there.  The union for the pipes is located exactly over this bar and the
addition of a bigger clamp has started the anvil chorus.  I would like
to keep the larger clamp and loose the bar...
Rick.

-----Original Message-----
From: T Berk [mailto:tberk@sbcglobal.net] 
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2004 9:46 PM
To: Rick Kellner
Cc: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
Subject: Re: OT-A2 Jetta Question

Rick Kellner wrote:
> What does the bar at the underside, rear end of an A2 Jetta do?  This
> bar is held on to the underside of the car by four bolts.  It is about
a
> foot in front of the rear beam and is about four feet long.  I am not
> sure what it is supposed to do but mine makes a convenient place for
the
> exhaust clamp to bang against.  Any ideas what it does?
> Thanks,
> Rick K.
>  

It's my understanding it is chassis stiffening in nature.

If you are getting enough motor/exhaust flex to hit the damned thing you

might want to replace:

- the exhaust hangers (cheap and easy, consider the ones with built in 
chain link) AND

- the motor mounts (harder to get at and more expensive.)

I know it might seem easier to just remove the bar but we all know the 
thing to do is fix the problem, not just treat the symptom.


TBerk