How to Change a Muffler
The muffler, as the name suggests, lowers or “muffles” the amount of noise given off by the car engine. Since these can break down in time, muffler replacement is something you should be aware of. Many car owners think this is a challenging task, but as long as you have the right knowledge on automobile and the proper tools, you can manage this quite easily.
What You’ll Need:
New muffler
Bolts and nuts
Gaskets
Jack stands, ramp, or car lift
Penetrating lubricant
Wrench or hammer
Automotive cleaner
Rag
Propane torch (optional)
Hacksaw (optional)
Remove The Old Muffler
Raise the vehicle so you’ll be able to reach the muffler. You can use either a car lift, a ramp or jack stands, depending which is is readily available. Don’t just rely on a jack.
muffler
Look at how your muffler is positioned. It must be held to the exhaust system by three or four bolts for every pipe. There should be rubber muffler hangers attaching it to the body of the car.
Use a penetrating lubricant to liberally spray the bolts. Use a wrench or hammer to tap the flanges holding the bolts, for a few times. This will get the lubricant to start working its way in the rust. Allow it to work for a while. Bolts that have very severe rust should be sprayed heavily and allowed to sit for 24 hours.
Raise the muffler high enough using your floor jack. This reduces the tension on the muffler hangers. Afterwards, use your hands to pull off the hangers.
Remove the muffler using either (box or crow’s foot) wrenches or with ratchets. If the lubricant fails to loosen the bolts, you can use a propane torch so they will be released. Make sure the exhaust system is as low as possible before you begin, though. If this still won’t work, use a hacksaw to cut the muffler bolts.
Use a floor jack to lower the muffler. It must be balanced so it won’t fall on you. Ask someone to help you stop the muffler from falling over. Let the gaskets sealing the two exhaust sections to fall away. If they refuse to budge, tap them with a hammer or wrench.
Use an automotive cleaner and rag to clean the exhaust’s forward mating surface.
Loosen the bolts holding the muffler hanger brackets to the vehicle.
Changing The Muffler
Get the new muffler and balance it on the floor jack. Raise it carefully, until you’re able to fasten it to the exhaust system’s forward sections.
Affix the muffler to the exhaust’s forward sections using new nuts and bolts. Ratchets or wrenches will help you do this. Don’t forget to place the replacement gaskets in between the exhaust’s two sections.
Use new exhaust hangers to hang the muffler from the car body. Raise the muffler to the highest level, with the help of the floor jack. Be careful not to crush it against the car’s bottom. Put the new hangers over the muffler’s mounting brackets and the car body.
Lower the floor jack, until you get to the desired height of the muffler. Tighten the bolts you loosened earlier to make the muffler hanger snug. The muffler is now attached to the vehicle firmly.
Take away the floor jack, then start the car and see if there are leaks at the attachment points. Run your hand through the points, and see if there’s air pulsating. If there is a leak, examine the tension on the bolts. If they’re firm, the problem might be in the installation of the gaskets, Separate the exhaust then try it again.
Turn off the car and lower it back to the ground. Finished!
All that whirring and noise coming from your car will go away when you put in a new muffler. If you’re not sure you can handle this, better consult a professional, or you might only damage your vehicle. If you enjoy reading this article, you’ll surely be interested in learning how to make your car ready for a car show.