If I understand you post correctly, your saying you have an exhaust leak. Hopefully because of bolt loose and not anything else. Just re-torque to spec's and keep eye on them for now.
I had one at work that after a couple of times of mechanic re-torqueing them just swapped out the bolts and no more problem.
I think Cummins has a TSB for this but I got tired of looking for your engine size but I did find one for 5.9 Same principle it's a very old TSB. A tension strap sounds high tec but just a thin piece of alum metal that prevented bolts from backing out. You'll understands once you see
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/09-002-01.htmThey are not under a lot of torque, so there is not to keep them in, and they are always heating and cooling.
Don't over torque or you'll experience removing a broken bolt from block is pretty pricey. Just torque to spec's.
