97 300tdi defender front pipe

Got my new 90 on the road and replaced the full exhaust front to back (front pipe with cat)
Think it was a brit part from paddock. The front pipe has flexible joint and cat and to my great annoyance sits about 3mm above the front cross member and sounds awful clattering as it travels don't think I can move it up enough on the silencer rubber to clear.
Was thinking of just buying a new front pipe with out cat this would be easier to tweak with a tube bender if this also bangs. I have heard that they run a bit better without the cat. But on looking the front pipe without car has no flexible joint in them part number 2297 any advice appreciated.
Cheers Dave

I don't have my 97 300 TDi station wagon anymore but when I bought it, it had a knackered cat so on advice given at the time I removed it (don't forget it will be worth a pound or two) and replaced it with the pipe you mention also from Paddocks. I had no clearance problems, just a straight fit. I seem to remember I got £25 for the cat but might well have gone down now.

I don't know if an MOT station can easily find out so probably won't bother. But, if a vehicle was fitted with a CAT from new it's meant to have one for the MOT. Lot's of owners decat them though.
I recently fitted the same system to my 96 Defender 90. I remember the small gap, but can't remember how close mine actually was. I'll check tomorrow, but mine doesn't clatter. All the hangers fitting ok? Non bent?

Sorry Coops, forgot about this
Been out and checked it now though.

This looks close on the picture and to be honest looked close when I was lying underneath. However, I was surprised to find the gap was 20mm when I measured it. When I slide my fingers between the cross member and the pipe I can get them in up to the second joint on my finger.

Exhaust clattering on the cross member could mean that the engine/gearbox mounts could do with replacing.
Just a thought