Exactly what is the purpose of a flex pipe and what are its components and how does it work?
The purpose of the flex pipe is to give the exhaust some
flexibility. On front wheel cars since the motor is mounted
crosswise, when you give it gas the motor rocks and would over time
break the exhaust pipe or even the exhaust manifold. On rear wheel
drive cars, the exhaust pipe can twist which gives the needed flex.
As far as components, it is just a woven metal sleeve over a piece
of pipe that isn't attached to the ends of the flex tube. The
outside woven part allows the exhaust to flex.