Another "bellows" thread.

[mfewtrail]

What material are the stock flex bellows on the crossover made from? I don't recall anyone ever stating this information, everyone typically just says "they crack" or they're "poor quality." I know the rest of the crossover is made from 409 SS, but I don't believe anyone has specifically said the flexes are also this grade steel. Is there any advantage to using one type of flex bellow over another(stock looking style w/ a better grade material or the typical braided ones most here are using)? I've heard of several failures on other cars using various braided flex bellows with the inner liner. These failures had to do with the way the inner liner was held in place(eg: poorly!) I didn't see any failures of the single walled flexes of the same kind though. Anyways, I mainly want to know what material the original flexes are...

[mfewtrail]

Nobody? C'mon, someone here has to know if they're 409 SS material or not... :icon_wink:

[pontiac6ksteawd]

I cant imagine it would be 409 SS. The metal is so thin. The replacement bellows I got were about 3-4 times thicker in material.

[Dark Ride]

What Have People Been Using For Replacement Flex Bellows?  I really need to do this for my TGP, and I would love to have TGPilot do it but I Really can't Afford it.  I have a friend whos a good welder and would do it for nothing.  If Someone could point me in the right direction that would be cool.

Thanks, Mitch

P.S. Sorry to Hijack

[mfewtrail]

I cant imagine it would be 409 SS. The metal is so thin. The replacement bellows I got were about 3-4 times thicker in material.

Thin or not, I think they're still 409 SS material. The bellows themselves always look in pretty good shape as far as corrosion is concerned(every one I've seen looks exactly like the rest of the crossover piping..besides the cracks of course :laugh:). I guess it doesn't matter if I know for sure what material they are as long as I replace them with something of a better quality(inconel if I can locate someone that will sell them in small quantities...). I would like my question concerning the flex design answered if anyone knows which is better...