Jingling Noise on Deceleration or Coast Down (Section and Replace Intermediate Exhaust) #04-06-05-006 - (06/15/2004)
Jingling Noise On Deceleration or Coast Down (Section and Replace Intermediate Exhaust)
2002-2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Condition
Some customers may comment on an undesirable "jingle" or "jingling" type of noise when decelerating. The noise is similar to shaking a key ring. This condition is most prominent at the mid- to high-rpm range. This noise may also be noticed when driving next to a cement wall or other barrier that will deflect sound.

Cause
This noise is coming from the "H" pipe area of the exhaust system. The center part of the "H" is formed by a crossover pipe connecting the left and right exhaust pipes. At this point, turbulence builds up in the exhaust system and may produce a jingle noise.

Correction
A service section of the exhaust has been released that incorporates a revised crossover pipe. You will need to cut the original exhaust behind the catalytic converters as described in the procedure below.


Caution
This procedure requires metal cutting. You MUST wear protective goggles and gloves.


Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
Locate the exhaust system crossbrace, located ahead of the catalytic converters. You will need to mark the exhaust pipes based on the measurements as shown in the illustration. In order to make accurate measurements, please note the following:
Measurements need to be made from the forward edge of the crossbrace welded to the pipes.
The most accurate measurement can be achieved by running a measuring tape between the catalytic converters rather than over them down the length of the pipe. In order to measure over the converters, you will have to arc the tape which will result in an inaccurate measurement.
The driver side exhaust pipe should be measured and marked for cutting at 80.1 cm (31.5 in).



The passenger side exhaust pipe should be measured and marked for cutting at 75 cm (29.5 in).
Using an electric or air powered reciprocating saw, cut the exhaust pipes at your marks. It is important to cut the pipes as straight as possible. Use caution not to let the blade cut into the floorpan above the pipe.
Remove the rear exhaust hanger from the cut intermediate section of the pipes.
Support the pipe with your hand and remove the two bolts from each rear exhaust flange.
Discard the sectioned exhaust pipes.

Notice
You must make sure that no burrs remain at the cut point. In addition, the area up to 18 cm (7 in) back from the cut should be clean, smooth and free of metal fragments or burrs. Failure to properly prepare the surface may result in an exhaust leak.


Examine the cuts on the front section of pipe that will be retained. You must make sure that no burrs remain at the cut point.
Install the intermediate exhaust pipes with clamps loosely attached onto the original front section of the exhaust.
Install the exhaust gaskets and secure the new intermediate pipe with two bolts to each rear exhaust flange. Tighten
Tighten the flange bolts to 20 N·m(15 lb ft).

Install and secure the rear exhaust bracket hanger.



Position the exhaust clamps as illustrated, allowing for road clearance. Tighten the clamps. Tighten
Tighten the exhaust clamps to 44 N·m(32 lb ft).

Lower the vehicle.
Verify the alignment of the exhaust tips and start vehicle.
Raise the vehicle and check for exhaust leaks.
Lower and turn off vehicle.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description
Qty

10345549
Gasket, Exhaust --Rear flange
2

10276792
Clamp, 2 1/2" Exhaust
2

10352196
Pipe, Intermediate (Service Section)
1


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

L3504*
Pipe, Intermediate Section -- Install
0.6 hr

 

Good reason to install an X-pipe... Same procedure.

 

I have news for you, after replacing the mufflers with corsa tourings and the h pipe with an x pipe... the jingle was still there...

VR

 

Good news for those who like the stock exhaust note (Z06, etc.); some people prefer the H-pipe sound over the X-pipe sound. Nice to see GM providing a solution.

Thanks for the info C5-TECH.

 

I have to differ on GMs "providing a solution" to this condition. My 99 C-5 was in the dealer for warranty work... for an unrelated condition the dealer diagnosed that my catalysts were bad. The dealer replaced the cats and the whole mid section of exhaust... this cured the first condition and caused the jingling condition you describe here, which was not present on my car prior to this warranty repair. This all occurred last November... I have been through two or three different people at the dealer, the GM helpline (worthless), the executive office in Detroit (worthless) and the Better Business Bureau and I am still waiting for GM and the dealer to make good on repairing this problem. The dealer promised the BBB rep that they would have a fix for me in June... well it is August 1 tomorrow and I still haven't heard form them.

In the meantime I got mad enough to fix it myself with the Random X-pipe and high flow cats... there is still a very minor jingle at certain rpms... much less than before. My car is now fixed and better than it was because the GM parts are crap... but I am out $800 plus my time...

I couldn't disagree more about GM's cooperation, customer service skills and engineering prowess. I have owned five Vettes, have two now and they will be my last. Have I mentioned that my 99 has a crappy, dysfunctional gas gauge, a rattling driveline/clutch, and tupperware interior...

 

On my '98 the problem was the metal strap was broken which connected the cats together. The two metal ends rubbed against each other at certain rpms. Sounded like crickets.