What is the best way to position exhaust system on car?
 

I am getting a new muffler for my 1988 300E, and would like to replace any rubber donuts and hangers while I am at it. My question is, what is the best way to have exhaust system positioned in the right place in the center of the car? I have had the exhaust unbolted when I had my tranny out, and I noticed that you can almost bolts the pipes and way on the exhaust manifolds. So last night, I was trying to get the exhaust to sit higher in the center of the car, and in doing so the center muffler now will vibrate against the chassis underneath. How is the best way to position the exhaust system in the place mercedes originally intended?

Sorry for the long post and I hope that it is understandable,
Steve

You may need to add a hanger somewhere in the center. Your local auto parts store will have a few different types of universal tailpipe hangers. You can usually find somewhere to bolt it to the chassis without drilling a hole. It's always a bad idea to drill a hole anywhere, it will be a place for rust to start if you do.

Good luck,

In the past I have mounted the system and not tightened the clamps. You put on the mounts and you should be able to twist and move the system around. It can be kind of frustrating as when you twist one part into position another one comes out. Just keep moving it around start the car and let it get hot make sure there are no major leaks (clamps still not tight so some leaking is ok) and no vibrations against the body. Then tighten the clamps and you should be golden. Not a fun job to do without a lift or pit. My wife and I are planning an addition including a new garage and she does not understand why I insist on a pit. (really only adds a few hundred $ if the building inspector will allow it.)

A construction trick I've seen in some places for a narrow pit is to pour the concrete such that a heavy steel grate (multiple sections) fits snugly into a channel at the top.

As far as the building inspector knows, its a "drainage area for grease droppings". Should be no safety issues because most of the time the grates will be in place - certainly during inspection. I can see how a building inspector might balk at an open pit in the center of a pad.

Don't know of any installations like this in a home. Maybe someone here has one and can advise.

Ken300D