I used stainless steel cable on mine. (only the best ) My dealer wanted $250 to replace it. I think I have under $10.00 in it with the connectors. My muffler is void of the outer steel casing too. It rusted completely after 4 Northeast Ohio winters.

Last time in the alignment shop the tech walked under the car looked at the muffler, looked at me, looked at the muffler, looked at me and laughed. I just shrugged my shoulders and smiled. It's held for > 2 years like that. Eventually I'll replace it with an aftermarket exhaust, but for now it's fine....

 

Walker mufflers sell the bracket for a standard Cooper through AutoZone for $25.00 plus shipping. While it's not correct for a "S", a little creative work with a torch and the metal hangers can be reshaped to work for an "S" as well.

ymmv.

Jim

 

I just installed the Walker #36511 strap on my R50 Cooper. $25.99 at AutoZone. RockAuto has it for $20.89 but shipping made that more expensive. Also bought two new hangers at Pelican Parts for $25.45 total.

It works just fine but there is one minor, fixable issue with it. The left side post that the hanger fits on is too long. This allows the post to bump into the heat shield/body and make a rattle.

The old and new strap posts. You can see the new one is 1/4" to 1/3" longer than the old bracket - see arrow.


I just took my angle grinder and cut off the excess nub and deburred it.


Here the arrow points to where the hanger post hits the heat shield. There already was wear at the contact point, so even the original hanger occasionally made contact with the heat shield.


I also applied a good coating of anti seize compound to the two strap bolts as well as the 4 hanger posts. My original strap was very rusty, but it ultimate broke when I hit a strap bolt with the impact gun. It was so rusted and seized it just twisted the strap until it broke.

 

I broke the bolt that attaches the hanger to the body (passenger side rear bolt). Anyone have any idea how to get at that bolt? (06 convertible) I too had to replace the hanger, Walker - PartsGeek.com about $26. Everything was rusty and falling apart. Just took the shield off, what was left of it. The hangers need to be replaced, I am making do with what is there until I can figure out how to get the broken bolt out. The muffler is kinda loose but hopefully it will "hang in there" until I can get it secured properly. To all posters, thanks for the info and pictures.