Exhaust to muffler leak

Hi all. I have the older muffler (no issues till now). The number three cylinder exhaust to muffler connection has a leak. I see no cracks or deformation. The springs simply are not holding the muffler to the pipe snug. I probably will put the newer exhaust on next annual, but in the mean time, has anyone experienced this, and have you tried slightly shorter springs to bring the muffler snug? Any help appreciated. New to the RV-12 world as I inherited the plane after my father passed away a few months ago. Thank you again

You might try this technique as used by one of the contributors to the Rotax Owner’s Forum. The safety wire is 0.041”.

https://www.rotax-owner.com/en/general-tech-discussion/8284-it-s-all-in-the-fine-details

You can bend the welded tabs to increase spring stretch / tension. I did this on all four muffler / header pipe connections. Added benefit - spring is spaced slightly further away from hot exhaust piping...