I replaced both exhaust manifolds on my '00 (stock exhaust). The originals had some leaks at the primaries where they're welded to the flange. Visible soot marks and I had the audible exhaust tick.

I now hear an exhaust tick but appears to be coming from underneath. I believe it's the collectors at the mid pipe. Has anyone had issues with getting it to seal at the ball connection to the manifolds? The studs at the manifolds have been re-torqued after a heat cycle and the collector nuts are all tightened down. I made sure to tighten them evenly when I had it all lined up. I'm thinking about dropping the mid pipe entirely now and checking the mating surfaces and maybe even taking a sanding wheel to the collectors at the mid pipe to make sure it's clean. Then maybe put a coating of anti seize on there.

Also, just an observation, I'm a bit surprised that the factory mid-pipe(Y pipe) doesn't have any exhaust hangers. I would think this causes quite a bit of stress on those manifolds being that they and the rear portion catback connection are all that support this heavy pipe w/ 4 cats.

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there a hanger at the trans mount?

 

I'm not sure where, but there is one somewhere along the pipe I'm pretty sure, was just had mine on the lift not too long ago trying to see if I could figure out where my leak is.

 

So I thought as well, but what I thought was a hanger turned out to be an exhaust 'damper'. A cylindrical piece of rubber (about size of a soda can) mounted to the Y pipe and tucked up into trans mount area just free hanging if you will. I suppose to help cancel out noise or drone frequencies. No hangers whatsoever, and I know for a fact this exhaust hadn't been touched ever on this car.

Anyway when I get to it, I plan on dropping it down again and cleaning/sanding the collector areas really good and maybe using some anti seize on the mating surfaces for good measure.