A few weeks ago the van started acting up again, I knew it was the exhaust... great more repairs we can't afford. One day there was a very loud ratlle like the whole exhaust was going to let go so I crawled underneat and saw some flimsy metal sheet, probably a heat shield, with large wholes rusted out around where the rivets would have been holding it place. So with a couple of self tapping screws and some large washers, I screwed it back in place into the frame.

I noticed while under there that the place where the pipe from the catalytic converter is attached to the pipe going to the muffler was missing 2 of 3 bolts and can clealy see the gasket between the two missing large chunks... started the van and that's where the loud engine moise was coming from. I figured I should be able to undo the last bolt and replace the gasket myself... yeah right.

A trip to crappy tire resulted in a spiffy new gasket and 3 shiny new bolts... So last wed, I go back under to see what I could do... that sucker was on tighter than I don't know what and one good shove on the wrench resulted in my arm getting all scratched to hell when the fitting came loose. That nut would not budge. I talked to a neighbour to see if he could torch the sucker off and he agreed to do it the next night. Had to be done as we were going to Toronto to meet my brother in law's new baby (1st time for him).

Took about an hour, but we manged to get it done... I was amazed that nothing bad happened. Go figure.