Exhaust system repair apparatus and repair method

A method of restoring a deformed exhaust pipe section of an automobile to its original profile shape and alignment with pipe hangers, wherein said deformed exhaust pipe section has been bent away from a pipe hanger and deformed from a circular shape profile into an elliptical shape profile with two maximum axis vertices, said restoration method comprising:

• providing a mechanical actuation device that transfers an energy source into a linear motion between 1 and 4 inches capable of exerting between 1 and 10 tons of force, said mechanical actuation device comprising a fixed body, and a linear motion shaft that retracts and extends;
• providing a head unit with a top, a bottom, and a side, the bottom connected to the mechanical actuation device, the head unit further comprising a linear motion shaft opening in the bottom of the head unit which allows the linear motion shaft to travel upward though the bottom of the head unit when the energy source is provided to the mechanical actuation device and a reinforcement structure which increases the bend strength of the head unit, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a hinge affixed to either the top or bottom of the head unit, a hinged side attached to the hinge and an interlocking connection located on the top or bottom of the head unit, whereby when the hinged side is interlocked with the interlocking connection the head unit will further comprise a fourth side;
• when the linear motion shaft is retracted, orienting the deformed exhaust pipe within the head unit so that the maximum axis vertices are oriented towards the top and bottom of the head unit;
• extending the linear motion shaft from the mechanical actuation device until the one of the maximum axis vertices contacts the linear motion shaft and the other maximum axis vertices contacts the top of the head unit;
• continuing to extend the linear motion shaft from the mechanical actuation device, exerting compressive forces on the deformed exhaust pipe until the deformed exhaust pipe has been reformed to a circular shape profile and the exhaust pipe has been re-aligned with the pipe hanger.