Excessive muffler noise
 

This is for my 1979 240 D, w123.

Exhaust noise louder than normal lately. So I look underneath, here is a shot at about the side mirror, passenger side.

If this is a probable cause of the noise, can someone show me what it should look like, or what they did for a similar fix? I'm thinking I just need to tighten the clamp, which is kinda loose, but maybe the pipe is ready to break due to the rust?

(I did search, and someone had posted "cut a tin can lengthwise and use 2 clamps. " That is almost what I need here, isn't it?)

That clamp doesn't look so good, and neither does the pipe. The expensive fix is to take it to a muffler shop and have the rotten parts replaced. The cheaper fix starts with trying to tighten the clamp, and then if that doesn't work, a can and some hose clamps.

Most of the other repairs that came up when I searched had to do with welding, muffler tape or epoxy, etc.

Skippy, you are correct, I don't want to spend a bunch of $$ right now and my state is not that fussy when it comes to inspections, so a "band aid" approach is what I am looking for.

Probably will go with clamp/muffler tape and some reinforcing pipe/sheet metal wrapped over all with a couple hose clamps.

Actually, if this is the source of the noise, I'm pretty lucky.
It could be a lot worse.

Edit: I took another look, and everything is pretty solid, in other words the exhaust pipe is not moving, no visible space, etc. I think I'll just tighten the clamp and not change anything for the time being. (Learned from having to change the radiator; sometimes it is best not to mess too much with rusted parts.)

It looks like some one has tried welding it up previously. I would take that clamp off, it looks st##fed anyway, then wrap a can around it , then a couple of exhaust clamps. A drive over some mud may also help.

You know, layback40, you might be right. Somewhere in its long history, someone might have welded the connection.

I'll see if the tightened clamp does not resolve the noise/exhaust leak problem. Then it would be what you suggest for part II. I also have some muffler cast handy, just in case.