Serviceable exhaust joint connection

An exhaust assembly comprising:

• a first exhaust pipe having a ball portion at one end;
• a second exhaust pipe having a flare portion at one end, said ball portion and said flare portion being positioned in an overlapping relationship to each other at a sliding interface to allow alignment adjustment between said first and said second exhaust pipes;
• a first connector member including a first plurality of interlocking fingers, said first connector member being supported by said first exhaust pipe;
• a second connector member including a second plurality of interlocking fingers positioned adjacent said first plurality of interlocking fingers, said second connector member being supported by said second exhaust pipe;
• and
• at least one clamp member that cooperates with said first and said second pluralities of interlocking fingers to secure said first and said second exhaust pipes together.

A method for connecting first and second exhaust pipes together comprising the steps of:

• (a) aligning the first and the second exhaust pipes relative to each other;
• (b) supporting a first connector member on the first exhaust pipe and a second connector member on the second exhaust pipe;
• (c) aligning the first and the second connector members relative to each other;
• and
• (d) clamping the first and second connector members against the first and the second exhaust pipes without deforming the first and the second exhaust pipes to the extent that the first and the second exhaust pipes cannot be separated from each other for service.