How to replace a muffler
When cars and trucks drive on the road, they all make a different exhaust sound. When it comes to exhaust sound, a lot of factors come into play: exhaust design,…
When cars and trucks drive on the road, they all make a different exhaust sound. When it comes to exhaust sound, a lot of factors come into play: exhaust design, engine size, engine tuning, and most of all, muffler. The muffler has more to do with the sound the exhaust makes than any other component. You may want to replace the muffler to get more sound out of your vehicle, or you may want to change it to make it quieter due to your current muffler malfunctioning. Whatever the reason, knowing what a muffler does and how it can be replaced can help you save money on replacing it.
Part 1 of 2: Purpose of the muffler
A muffler on a car is designed to do just that: muffle the exhaust. When the engine is running without an exhaust or muffler, it can be very loud and obnoxious. Silencers are installed at the outlet of the exhaust pipe to make the car sound much quieter. From the factory, some sports cars will make more exhaust noise; this is usually due to its high flow design which contributes to the performance of the engine. There are two main reasons why people change their mufflers.
To make the exhaust louder: Many people change the muffler to increase the sound of the exhaust. High performance mufflers are designed to provide better exhaust gas flow and have internal chambers that divert the exhaust gases inward, causing more noise. There are many different manufacturers that design mufflers for this application and they will all have a different sound.
To make the car quieter: For some people, simply replacing the muffler is enough to solve the problem. Over time, many parts of the exhaust system wear out and rust. This can cause exhaust gases to leak from these openings, which in turn causes a wide range of loud and strange noises. In this case, the muffler must be replaced.
Part 2 of 2: Muffler Replacement
Necessary materials
- Hydraulic floor jack
- Jack stands
- Muffler
- There is a pry
- Ratchet with heads
- Silicone spray lubricant
- Wheel chocks
Step 1. Park your vehicle on a level, firm and level surface..
Step 2: Install wheel chocks around the front wheels..
Step 3: Jack up the car.. Raise the rear of the vehicle on one side using the factory jacking points.
Raise the vehicle high enough so that you can easily get under it.
Step 4: Install jacks under the factory lifting points.. Lower your car carefully.
Step 5: Lubricate the muffler fittings. Apply a generous amount of silicone grease to the muffler mounting bolts and muffler rubber mount.
Step 6: Remove muffler mounting bolts.. Using a ratchet and a suitable head, unscrew the bolts connecting the muffler to the exhaust pipe.
Step 7: Remove the muffle from the rubber holder by lightly pulling on it.. If the muffler does not come off easily, you may need a pry bar to remove the muffler from the suspension.
Step 8: Install the New Muffler. Place the muffler mounting arm into the rubber suspension.
Step 9: Install the muffler. The mounting holes must be aligned with the exhaust pipe.
Step 10: Attach muffler to exhaust pipe mounting bolts.. Install the bolts by hand and tighten them until tight.
Step 11 Raise the car to take the weight off the jacks.. Use the jack to raise the vehicle high enough to allow the jack stands to be removed.
Step 12: Remove Jacks. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground.
Step 13: Check Your Work. Start the car and listen for strange sounds. If there are no noises and the exhaust is at the desired volume level, you have successfully replaced the muffler.
Choosing the right muffler can be difficult, so it's important to study the one you want and the sound you'd like it to make. Keep in mind also that some mufflers are only welded on, which means they need to be cut off and then welded into place. If your car has a welded muffler or you are not comfortable replacing the muffler yourself, a certified AvtoTachki mechanic can install a muffler for you.
