Offset check gauge for flexible bellows

A gauge configured to facilitate proper installation of a flexible bellow in a vehicle, the flexible bellow having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the first end to the second end, the flexible bellow configured to convey exhaust gases from an engine of the vehicle to an exhaust treatment system of the vehicle, the gauge including:

• an elongate base body having a first end and a second end;
• a first holder moveably coupled to the first end of the base body, the first holder configured to receive the first end of the flexible bellow;
• a second holder coupled to the second end of the base body, the second holder configured to receive the second end of the flexible bellow;
• and
• a measuring scale that measures and communicates at least one of:
• a distance translated by the first holder relative to the base body;
• and
• an angle rotated by the first holder relative to the base body.

A gauge configured to facilitate proper installation of a flexible bellow in a vehicle, the flexible bellow having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the first end to the second end, the flexible bellow configured to convey exhaust gases from an engine of the vehicle to an exhaust treatment system of the vehicle, the flexible bellow having a first degree of freedom in which the first and second ends of the flexible bellow are translatable axially along the longitudinal axis, a second degree of freedom in which the first and second ends of the flexible bellow are translatable side-to-side along a second axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a third degree of freedom in which the first and second ends of the flexible bellow are translatable back-and-forth along a third axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the second axis, a fourth degree of freedom in which the first and second ends of the flexible bellow are rotatable back-and-forth about the second axis, and a fifth degree of freedom in which the first and second ends of the flexible bellow are rotatable side-to-side about the third axis, the gauge including:

• an elongate base body having a first end and a second end;
• a first holder moveably coupled to the first end of the base body, the first holder configured to receive the first end of the flexible bellow;
• a second holder coupled to the second end of the base body, the second holder configured to receive the second end of the flexible bellow;
• a first measuring scale indicating a first offset of the flexible bellow from a first reference point in the first degree of freedom;
• a second measuring scale indicating a second offset of the flexible bellow from a second reference point in the second degree of freedom;
• a third measuring scale indicating a third offset of the flexible bellow from a third reference point in the third degree of freedom;
• a fourth measuring scale indicating a fourth offset of the flexible bellow from a fourth reference point in the fourth degree of freedom;
• and
• a fifth measuring scale indicating a fifth offset of the flexible bellow from a fifth reference point in the fifth degree of freedom.

A method of facilitating proper installation of a flexible bellow using a gauge, the flexible bellow having a first end, a second end, a first degree of freedom in which the first and second ends of the flexible bellow are translatable along a first axis, and a second degree of freedom in which the first and second ends of the flexible bellow are rotatable about a second axis, the method including the steps of:

• providing a vehicle having an engine and an exhaust treatment system, the flexible bellow extending between the engine and the exhaust treatment system;
• coupling a first end of the gauge to the first end of the flexible bellow;
• coupling a second end of the gauge to the second end of the flexible bellow;
• and
• using a scale on the gauge to measure at least one of:
• a distance translated by the flexible bellow in the first degree of freedom;
• and
• an angle rotated by the flexible bellow in the second degree of freedom.