Abstract: Exhaust system assemblies employ wire bushings for thermal compensation to minimize noise due to “stick-slip” while the system cools. In a preferred embodiment, the wire bushings are formed of at least one strand of wire coiled about male end portions of pipe sections used in the system, each of which male end portions are inserted into a female end portion and held therein by an interference fit. The strand of wire is spot welded at spaced locations to the male end portions to provide bearing surfaces between the spot welds that move slightly as the exhaust system heats and cools to relieve thermal stress in small, substantially inaudible increments.

Abstract: A heat shield and gasket assembly has three members including a first heat shield, a second heat shield, and a gasket. Each of the members has a flange portion and the flange portion of the gasket is sandwiched is between the flanges of the two heat shields. The flange portion of the gasket is thinner than the flange portions of the heat shields. The thinness of the gasket flange permits it to engage threaded assembly fasteners without compromising the thread integrity of the fasteners.