Muffler Problem

[mbboy]

Before I get around to working on my fuel gauge problem, as well as a number of other things, I'm trying to stop the upper, left side of the forward lip of my muffler from hitting the bottom of the left, rear wheel well for some reason.

As you can see from one of the photos, the left hook on my Ansa muffler doesn't line up with the hook on the chassis, and bending the muffler's hook flattens it out, so it won't hold the hanger.

I tried using wire ties to hold the muffler up against the wheel well, but that didn't work, either. So, as you can see in another one of the photos, I've tied the pipes to the stabilized bar with wire ties, which keeps the muffler up against the wheel well.

It's not very elegant, though it will look better when I cut the tail off the wire tie, and spray it black. However, I'm not sure if this is going to be a long term solution because the wire ties might stretch.

In any case, before I even take the car out on the hwy, I was wondering if you guys thought that this arrangement would affect the ride or handling by, say, preventing the stabilizer from operating correctly.

In addition, I was wondering if you guys had some other solution to my problem, short of getting a new muffler, since this one is still good.

Thanks for the advice on the fuel gauge problem, and in advance for any advice you can give me on this problem.

[mgburg]

First off...those PLASTIC TIES, I'm surprised they have given you ANY MILEAGE...the heat will either ignite them or melt them enough to allow the muffler to drop and drag. I'd give it 10 miles at speed, at best.

What you could do is use the old method of a wire coat-hanger...but then, you'll be replacing that in no time and it, again, would be no more than a stop-gap measure, at best.

Unless that's all your current repair budget can handle.

Either way, both scenarios has "SUCK" written all over them.

Me? A reputable muffler shop that won't nickle/dime you for extras. Get it up on the hoist and fix what needs fixing (could be the inlet pipe needs to be staightened out...that type of thing).

If you can't fix it right then, pay the man for his time and if you, later, are able to come back, use the diagnosis fee as the discount. Some shops will do just that.

Good luck!

[RadioTek]

The zip-ties won't last , for reasons already explained.

Did you check the status of the hangars for the center resonator/muffler?

If that unit is not secured properly, then there will be stresses transferred to the muffler.

Spend a couple bucks extra to get the heavy-duty hangar rubbers, or the ones with cables molded into them.

Look for the cause of the problem, not the symptom of the problem.

[rowdie]

I looks like the muffler hanger has broken and bent.

[hotshoe]

You say hitting the wheel well for "some reason". Looking at the ends of the tail pipes flattened over, I would guess the "some reason" is an impact hard enough to flatten the tips of the pipes. I would guess that the whole system has been sprung and must be straightened out. A trip to a reputable muffler shop probably is in order.

[meltedpanda]

take it to a muffler place as stated , 20 or 30 bucks ,a few spot welds and a bracket or two and you are good to go

[mbboy]

I realized after I posted my message just how bad my solution was. So I didn't even try it.

As you guys recommended, I obviously am going to have to go to a muffler shop, as much as I hate that idea, too.

But c'est la vie.