Exhaust Adjustment/Grounding Wire

[Sechsterlo]

Ok, so earlier this week I mounted my new Magnaflow catback on the car. Since doing so Ive had to try my hand at adjusting it, because it was rattling (metal on metal rattling) and vibrating that was creating a buzzing through the whole car. I was able to partially fix the issue, it isnt nearly as bad, but I plan on taking it to an exhaust shop to have the local pro mount the system right. Also, upon looking over the exhaust, I found that the grounding wire that connects at the muffler/midpipe flange broke. It seems like a stretch, but could that be allowing for extra vibration since the ground wire isnt connected to the chassis anymore? I plan to replace it because I know the installation directions stressed reusing the ground wire. Opinions on the grounding wire issue?

[nametakennow]

Have you figured out exactly where it was rattling?

Did you reuse the rubber portion of the mounts? (connects the hanger on the exhaust to the hanger on the car)

[Sechsterlo]

I took it to the shop, and being able to get a look under the car, the guy looking with me found two issues. One, the hanger that is just behind the axle was loose, and really wasnt doing anything to hold the exhaust still. I mean we had a crazy amount of play where the hanger was connected to some metal that was flexing really bad. Solution: He welded a new hanger in place to keep the rear portion from moving around so much. The other issue was at the front. The header is actually rubbing up against something (possibly a heat shield of some sort?) in the front, and its causing vibrations when I first start the car and go down the road, but it isnt persistent, it tapers off. Im not sure if theres anything I can really do about it, the header isnt exactly flexible, and the exhaust is sitting where it should. I may have to take pictures for you to see what Im talking about there.

To answer your question, I was using all the rubber mounts. At this time I wonder if all of them were stock. Seems a previous owner had some, lets say, less than quality pipe fabrication installed. I had at certain times heard a bump under the car when it would cross train tracks for example, and that has since ceased. I figure it must have been a clearing issue in the back half somewhere.

[nametakennow]

If they all looked the same, they were probably stock. The PO's exhaust probably wasn't properly set up and was dragging a bit over big bumps like that.

It's not uncommon to have the header vibrate against its heat shield at times. Check to make sure that the bolts that hold the shield on are tight.

[Sechsterlo]

If they all looked the same, they were probably stock. The PO's exhaust probably wasn't properly set up and was dragging a bit over big bumps like that.

It's not uncommon to have the header vibrate against its heat shield at times. Check to make sure that the bolts that hold the shield on are tight.

Cool deal, thanks. After looking at it from the top and bottom, Im pretty sure its just the header hitting the shield. Ill have a look at the bolts to be sure theyre in place. Appreciate the input.