After only 900 miles on my new 09 SS I noticed the rubber grommet on the charge pipe mount was starting to get weak. It was only a matter of time before it let loose. Nothing against those that used a zip tie to fix this, but that route just didn't seem like a clean fix to me.

The following pictures show the steps I took to fix my charge pipe mount. I'd call it "semi-permanent", as it will only last as long as the plastic mount bracket (I've heard this tends to crack over time)....but it should at least get me by long enough to save up for an aftermarket pipe. Hope it helps someone else out.....

- Make sure you have a T30 driver (a T30 in a socket wont work as there's not enough room....a long handle driver is the only option I can see)


- Remove the mounting stud.


- Cut the captive washer most of the way through with a Dremel or similar cutting wheel (be careful not to cut into the threads).


- Finish removing the captive washer by bending and breaking it with pliers.



- Test fit a large headed washer at the top and a locking washer at the base of the stud


- Re-install the stud with the large washer above the rubber grommet and the lock washer under it. You’ll need to press fairly hard and hold the metal clip to get the threads started as the extra space from the washers will reduce the length of the stud slightly.


- After tightening, the rubber grommet will be slightly compressed but should still offer some shock absorption. The charge pipe won’t be coming loose now, unless the entire mount breaks.

 

Wow, i like this alot more then the "Ziptie" mod New member with awesome posts! thanks

 

Awesome dude!! Great job!!!

 

genius!

 

It looks like a certain improvement, but I would be concerned that when it does break, GM (who seems to not be interested in doing the fix properly themselves) will have an excuse to blame you. A zip tie is easily cut away, and never needs to be spoken of.
IMO your mod is better, the Zip Tie is safer.
I am at 600 mi today, and would like to do one of them preemptively, I am not sure which to do at the moment.
Thanks for the pics.

 

Nice fix.. Unfortunately now you have to worry about breaking the mounting tab off of the actual charge pipe entirely.. which is what happened to mine.. Hence GM using such a flexable and thick rubber gromet.. There seems to be no real solution to this other than spending big bucks on an aftermarket charge pipe...

 

this could be a how to

 

Am I the only one who's had no issues with the stock mount? I've been t00ned for 3 months now, had the car for almost 6 and that stock mount has never budged. I just tightened all of the clamps everywhere after installing the tune, they are surprisingly loosely torqued from the factory. I'm still replacing the factory piping next month but I've had zero issues...now I just fucked myself for mentioning it and I'm going to have an issue, haha.

 

Good write up!

 

I have over 20k miles (stock mine you) and I've had no problems at all.

If you really want to come up with more of a fix to allow it to flex I could imagine a longer bolt + a spring between the head of the bolt and the flex tube would allow it to move but encourage it to stay in place.

Order:
Bolt head
Spring
Plastic
Rubber grommet
mount

Or just let GM take care of it if it breaks.

 

alright... how come when i post pics from my gallery at CSS there the size of a quarter!?!!? no fair!


good how to though.

 

You have to open them ...then get the location . If you just click on them in the gallery and copy the location they come out small.

 

I assume you are referring to the virtual garage gallery.

BTW, I had to shove my charge pipe onto the rubber gromment this past weekend - it's been off since I bought it new , but I did not have a T30.

My Dad did, however !

Some sort of a metal band - like a hose clamp - that wrapped around the pipe then was grommeted and bolted to that clip would have been nice.


Or, perhaps a zip tie around the whole of the charge pipe ...

Britt