An apparatus comprises a housing including a housing first portion having a first joint portion configured to overlap a second joint portion of a housing second portion so as to form a housing joint. A primary clamp is positioned at a primary location of the housing joint which abuts at least a portion of the first and the second joint portion. A mounting bracket is positioned on and contacts the primary clamp. A plurality of secondary clamps are positioned at secondary locations, each of which is different than the primary location, of the housing joint. A band is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket by positioning around and contacting each of the plurality of secondary clamps. The band is tightened to urge the mounting bracket and thereby the primary clamp, and the plurality of secondary clamps towards the housing joint to secure the housing joint.

A sound damper for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine includes a sound damper housing, at least one intermediate wall which is arranged in a housing interior and at least one sound damper connection pipe. The sound damper connection pipe is supported in a first pipe end region on the sound damper housing and is arranged in a second pipe end region on a support element which is arranged in the housing interior. The support element forms an integral component of an intermediate wall. The sound damper connection pipe introduces exhaust gas into the housing interior or directs exhaust gas out of the housing interior.