Air Tube Removal

From: Dale Olson (Dale_Olson at dell.com)
Subject: AIR tube removal..is it welded in place?

No it is not welded in place. It is held on with a small clamp at the cat end
and a bracket the connect to the last exhaust manifold bolt. To repair:

1) Go down to your local GM dealer and get the air tube. About $25
2) Now go to a local parts house and get check valve that is attached to the 
   air tube. GM price $20 - parts house $10/$15
3) Remove the clamp at the cat end and cut a slot (via hacksaw, dremal tool or
   air powered cut off tool) on the old part of the tube. Be carful not to cut the
   tube from the cat.
4) Now remove the clamp from the hose connecting the check valve to the hose
   that goes  to the diverter on the air pump.
   Note - you may want to replace the hose and clamps also.
5) Now remove the nut from the bracket that holds the tube to the exhaust
   manifold. This is a real pain in the ass.....

Reassemble tips:

1) Use "Never Seize" on all threaded parts.
2) Assemble the check valve to the air BEFORE you put in the car
3) Attach the lower part to the air tube to the cat and then the bracket to the
   exhaust manifold.
4) I did not replace the small clamp at the cat. Works fine and no real leaks
   as it is a fairly tight fit.
5) Use a couple of small hose clamps to attach the new hose to the check
   valve and diverter.