Having trouble tracking down exhaust rattle.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Having trouble tracking down exhaust rattle.
04 coupe, Corsa Ti Street system.
First, a hack shop installed it with one of the sides touching the body causing a crazy amount of resonance. Then, I took it to a decent shop, who got everything lined up. They told me how important it was to retorque the clamps after driving it.
So I took it for a drive, and it smelled very nasty, and rattled. Tightened up the bolts at the exhaust manifolds, the muffler, the cat to midpipe section, etc.
I thought it had it fixed, but I had someone rev up the car for me, while I was outside, and the rattle is very loud outside (But can't hear it inside.) It sounds like metal-on-metal.
So my next move to was to hold the muffler away from the rear heatshield. this wasn't the problem (The exhaust shop shimmed it anyway to keep it from hitting.) Even if I forced the muffler, it wouldnt touch the heat shield.
I tapped the pipe with the back of a screwdriver, from the cats back. Fortunately, no rattle from the cats. It seems as if the rattle comes from over the axle. Is there a heatshield in that area?
Also, if I push on or gently strike the exhaust tips, the whole thing has that 'rusty hinge' sound.
Does something need to be lubricated?
Thanks in advance.
First, a hack shop installed it with one of the sides touching the body causing a crazy amount of resonance. Then, I took it to a decent shop, who got everything lined up. They told me how important it was to retorque the clamps after driving it.
So I took it for a drive, and it smelled very nasty, and rattled. Tightened up the bolts at the exhaust manifolds, the muffler, the cat to midpipe section, etc.
I thought it had it fixed, but I had someone rev up the car for me, while I was outside, and the rattle is very loud outside (But can't hear it inside.) It sounds like metal-on-metal.
So my next move to was to hold the muffler away from the rear heatshield. this wasn't the problem (The exhaust shop shimmed it anyway to keep it from hitting.) Even if I forced the muffler, it wouldnt touch the heat shield.
I tapped the pipe with the back of a screwdriver, from the cats back. Fortunately, no rattle from the cats. It seems as if the rattle comes from over the axle. Is there a heatshield in that area?
Also, if I push on or gently strike the exhaust tips, the whole thing has that 'rusty hinge' sound.
Does something need to be lubricated?
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
It's definitely the springs holding the over-axle-pipes on.
I used washers to space the mufflers away from the heatshields, and the rattle persisted, so I crawled under the car and saw that the noise was coming from the springs.
Any way to quiet them down?
I used washers to space the mufflers away from the heatshields, and the rattle persisted, so I crawled under the car and saw that the noise was coming from the springs.
Any way to quiet them down?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Smart-azz reply; "Sounds like your muffler bearing needs to lubricated".
Real reply; Yes, I have heard of this, and those springs certainly are capable of rattling. I would shoot some high-temp lube on the springs themselves (there is an inner piece that slides) and where they attach to the car and H-pipe.
Is this setup "solid", i.e. how much movement is there if you wiggle the exhaust tips back and forth? Everything tight and firm?
Real reply; Yes, I have heard of this, and those springs certainly are capable of rattling. I would shoot some high-temp lube on the springs themselves (there is an inner piece that slides) and where they attach to the car and H-pipe.
Is this setup "solid", i.e. how much movement is there if you wiggle the exhaust tips back and forth? Everything tight and firm?
Last edited by Dan_the_C5_Man; Nov 15, 2006 at 07:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Hey, you are talking to the Muffler Bearing Guy. 
There is some play. Maybe 1/2" up and down, and almost none left and right.
There is some play. Maybe 1/2" up and down, and almost none left and right.
Former Law Dawg Moderator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29,434
Likes: 96
From: Eads, Tennessee
CF St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...exhaust+rattle
This is for stock exhaust rattle but it could benifit you. Let me know if it helps.
This is for stock exhaust rattle but it could benifit you. Let me know if it helps.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Originally Posted by Tact
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...exhaust+rattle
This is for stock exhaust rattle but it could benifit you. Let me know if it helps.
This is for stock exhaust rattle but it could benifit you. Let me know if it helps.
That is perfect!! thanks. how did i miss that!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
