I will keep giving it a shot and let you know, I do have the hanger closest to the downpipe removed and unhooked the two bolts in the bracket as well as the clamp to the turbo but still no luck so far.
Ever get it figured out? I am also in the process of installing an armytrix Downpipe and hitting the same issue. The rest went fairly smoothly but the new downpipe will not slide onto the exhaust.
I may just have to go find that expander somewhere.