I Like Driving in my Car

Hello, my name is David. Welcome to my blog. There is nothing I like more than hitting the open road and going for a drive in my car. I have always loved everything to do with automobiles. When I was a boy, I had a collection of 208 different toy cars which I would play with all day long. As soon as I was old enough, I began taking driving lessons and the day I passed was the best day of my life. Although I am not a mechanic, my dad taught me lots of neat tricks so I can keep my car in top condition. I hope you enjoy my blog.

Replacing The Muffler On A Vehicle

Automotive Blog

The muffler connected to the exhaust can become damaged in a number of ways, such as driving over obstructions in the road or due to wear and tear. Mufflers cancel out an otherwise loud noise from the engine of the vehicle, and are an important aspect of the overall vehicle. Fortunately, changing a damaged muffler is something that is attainable for most DIY enthusiasts, and doing it yourself can save money on labour costs. This article examines the process involved when changing the damaged muffler on your vehicle.

Prepare

You will need some tools and safety equipment to allow you to safely and properly carry out this job. You will also need to allow enough time to work slowly and carefully, as working under a raised vehicle can be dangerous if you are in a hurry. Some of the things you will need include:

  • Suitable replacement muffler
  • Sealant for the muffler
  • Lubricating oil
  • Exhaust clamps
  • Hacksaw
  • Hammer
  • Wrenches
  • Ratchet
  • Eye protection
  • Gloves
  • Torch

You will also need to use a method to raise the vehicle; jack stands are ideal for this.

Locate The Muffler

Begin by raising the vehicle with the jack and securely fitting the jack stands, making sure the vehicle is stable. Get under the vehicle and locate the muffler. It is usually located between the catalytic converter and the rear wheels of the vehicle. Once located, spray the lubricating oil over the clamps, and wait a short while to allow the spray to work. There will be two clamps – one on either side – securing the muffler in place. Remove these clamps, separating the muffler from the exhaust system. Then, use the hacksaw to cut through the exhaust pipe at the rear and the front of the muffler. Extract the muffler.

Replace

Fit the new muffler in place. You will probably have to cut or split the rear end sections of exhaust pipe to allow the new muffler to be accommodated. Then, use the hammer to smooth out the ends so that a good connection is made to the exhaust pipework. Once done, smooth on a good layer of sealant at both connection points. Place and secure the exhaust clamps into place, giving support and stability while the sealant dries. You will need to use the ratchet set for tightening the clamps in place.

Test

Once you are done, remove the jack stands and take the vehicle out for a test run. Listen out for any noise that may indicate that the muffler is not properly connected; otherwise you have successfully completed the job.

If you have any questions, contact a specialist like Gold Coast Mufflers & Exhausts.

Share

20 January 2015