can U fix a smashed pipe?

[shmuckaluck]

Hey guys,
Just wondering if a smashed pipe can be fixed, heard of people getting them fixed with air pressure or something. is it just for very minor dents? mines not minor but didn't know if it can be fixed or if it's even worth messin with.

 

[stum1967]

Never heard of using air pressure, but i have fixed them by cutting a hole with a hole saw on the opposite side, knocked the dent out with an air hammer and weld the piece back in the hole with a wire feed. Not pretty but it works.

 

[NDFARMER95]

Depends on dent. Poked a hole into an slp on my 06 rmk and caved it in. Drilled hole big enough to get a slide hammer in, get the dent good enough, weld the hole shut, and walla its good to go.

 

[skidooboy]

depending on how bad it is plug one end, fill with water, freeze and repeat till you get the results you desire. it can work, and it can split a pipe. be carefull. post pics might help us help you. if you look on some dirtbike forums, there are guys that fix smashed pipes. ski

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

we fix them by welding a washer in the middle of the dent..heat the area where its creased, then while cherry red pull on the washer till its where it should be..might need to weld more washers and repeat till all the dent is out...then cut washers off and grind smooth.....if done right..you can normally completely remove a dent aand hardly tell it was dented except for the heat marks....

 

[smv sledhead]

Never actually done it, but I have heard you plug both ends, insert a tire stem into one of the plugs, and pump some air in. Then heat up the dented part, and it retains original shape. Like I said, I've never done it. It may even be folklore. Sounds good though huh?

 

[shmuckaluck]

Hey guys,
here's the pipe

 

[ARICH]

Hey guys,
View attachment 164919here's the pipe

Ouch, I think you might just wanna bust out the checkbook!

 

[maddog21]

if you cant fix it... try with stud gun weld and pull it.

 

[PhantomCat]

Holy smashed batman!!! You could split the pipe and beat it out and weld back! You have some pretty tight creases and a lot of surface area to repair. You might be better off melting it down and starting over One thing to watch out for is cracking if you do decide to fix it. The tighter the radius of the bend or kink the more work hardened the metal becomes. Which means that at the apex of the bend or kink the metal will be stronger. When you go to bend it back it gets work hardened again and depending on what type of metal it is the more brittle it may become and crack or weaken.

So just go slow and use a little heat from a hand torch..do not get it cherry red or glowing..this will also change the molecular structure of the metal and create a new set of problems repairing and final product.

With that said..if you want it to look new..buy new! If you want it to look Frankenstein, anything can be fixed
Glenn

 

[Woodsrider]

The plugging and air pressure and heat can be done but it is very dangerous, think exploding hot sharp metal be very very careful. You will need to get a couple of rubber expanding plugs and long tire stem (brass type). You also will need a acetylene torch or a map gas torch might work. A face shield and heavy leather coat and gloves are a good idea. Mount the pipe in a vise to hold it. Installed the tire stem in the large plug. Clean the ends of the pipe to remove any oil install the plugs and safety wire them in place more is better. NEVER look directly at plugs or point them at any thing you care about. Put a little air 10 psi in and check for leaks and watch the plugs if they start to move start over. If pipe and plugs hold work up to about 20 psi. Now its time to heat a small area need to get it a dull red be careful not to make a whole. If heat and pressure are right the heated area will start to bulge out it not may have to add a little more air pressure and a little more heat. I have never exceed 25 psi. Can not over state how dangerous this is.

 

[Devilmanak]

I have fixed a couple with water/freezing. I had a Dynoport with a good dent in it, threw it in the freezer and forgot about it overnight, lol. I no longer had a dented pipe, I had a split pipe. I was able to use hose clamps to pull it back together and tig it up, worked great. I did about poo myself when I remembered the pipe was out in the garage in the freezer, lol.

 

[skidooboy]

that one, you are probably safer going to doo talk and looking for a used stock pipe. or take the time to upgrade to an aftermarket performance type pipe at this time. ski

 

[shmuckaluck]

Hey guys,
Ya, I still have the stock brand new pipe that I will use until I get another SLP, but I think I want to try and fix this one just to see if I can do it, just play with it and learn something, Thanks for the Idea's. some sound dangerous but I will stick to the safer ones.

 

[ModZZilla]

safely fix

Fill the pipe with damp sand after plugging stinger end. Tamp it in while heating your dent with torch. Your welcome.

 

[snowyo]

the air and plugged ends works.I've done 2 this way.usually use a plumbing bladder for testing the sytems.acetlene torch you'll end up aroun 40 psi....Just make sure the blwooff is pointed in a safe direction

 

[suva]

Fill the pipe with damp sand after plugging stinger end. Tamp it in while heating your dent with torch. Your welcome.

I haven't heard that one before, I like it.

http://www.piperepair.com/

You might give these guys a shout, I've seen some horribly ugly mangled dirt bike pipes look nearly new after a trip to them.

 

[Mjunkie]

I've never done it on a snowmobile pipe, but have done a few dirt bike pipes with the air pressure and heat thing. It is dangerous but luckily (knock on wood) I've never had a problem doing it, and you'd be surprised how it works. I've seen a pancake of a pipe look new after doing it more than once.