172 Backbox - Poor design?

[J88NES]

Am i the only one that thinks the 172 backbox is held on by a poor design and it puts alot of stress on the joint into the backbox?

 

[Bazzon]

not as bad as the way they did the 182

 

[Cupster]

Nothing like learning from your mistakes eh Renault, lol

 

[DrewBoy]

Am i the only one that thinks the 172 backbox is held on by a poor design and it puts alot of stress on the joint into the backbox?

Mine actually fell off because of that reason!!

 

[Kennedy88]

Mine fell off as well !!

 

[J88NES]

Just had a look under the car and am i right in thinking that the backbox is connected to the mid pipe and runs all the way to the cat?

 

[davebem]

Your right in thinking its connected to the mid pipe and runs all the way to the cat. The backbox can be seperated from the centre section by a join just above the rear trailing arm. Theres a sleeve that can be opened so they can be pulled apart.

Its a very common problem, its probably happened to all 172s. Near to the joint at the back of the backbox is weak. The joint itself onto the centre section is normally ok, its the bit of pipe thats poorly welded on the back of the backbox that breaks. The bracket on the backbox can also break as its very heavy. The centre section also comes apart from corrosion.