While going under the car to do oil change.
I saw this:


What is this?
Should I somehow fix the mesh wires? with what?

I think this was damaged during winter driving.

 

this is the flex(ible) coupling in the exhaust piping. It isolates vibration and allows engine to move on its mountings without impacting the exhaust.

It seems you may have run over something and damaged it.

I would suggest that you have it checked by an exhaust shop. If there is a leak, it is a safety hazard as the silent killer CO and CO2 may enter the cabin and incapacitate the occupants.

Salim

 

Thanks for the information.

It's only the mesh wiring outside that has been torn.
I looked through the inside and everything is intact.

Can the coupling be replaced on its own without cutting/welding?

I was originally thinking of wrapping it with something.

 

You can buy a new Walker replacement pipe, some shops will also just weld in a new flex pipe. But if all that is wrong is the mesh is falling apart and it's not leaking, then forget about it and leave it alone.

 

Yeah, if only the mesh is falling apart, leave it.

My mesh was torn up for about 2 years, before my flex pipe let go due to RUST and actually started leaking.

You can see pictures of it here as well as a DIY to replace the entire flex pipe: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...placement.html

 

Well I live in an area where they use high amounts of salt in the winter.

Would it make sense to wrap it with some exhaust bandage to prevent salt from getting inside?

 

I had to order the same pipe a few days ago because something inside is loose and causing a loud rattling noise under certain conditions.

 

Did you order OEM(not even sure if they make it anymore)
or sometihng else?

 

I think anything you wrap it will will only make things worse and trap moisture.

 

went aftermarket from ebay. about $80 with shipping, gaskets and new nuts and bolts.
Lexus wanted about $440 for just the pipe. lol