As you drive your vehicle, the mufflers can wear out or become damaged.Some of the mufflers may be welded, but they are held in place with rubber hangers.If you want to install a new one, you'll need to remove the old muffler from the exhaust piping.It's important to follow all of the appropriate safety precautions when sawing through exhaust piping or jacking up a vehicle.
Step 1: The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
You need to be able to get under the vehicle to access your muffler.Pick a location that is completely flat and firm enough to support the weight of the vehicle on a jack and jack stands.The surfaces that are not acceptable for this project are dirt, grass, or gravel.While the vehicle is being jacked up, look for a flat area.You can park your vehicle on blacktop or concrete.
Step 2: The battery should be disconnected.
To remove the ground cable from the negative terminal, you need to loosen the nut holding it on the battery.Attach the cable to the side of the battery to prevent it from coming into contact with the other terminal.The vehicle can't be started if the battery is disconnected.The negative terminal can be found by looking for the letters NEG or the negative symbol around it.
Step 3: Place the jack under the vehicle.
Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels when the vehicle is parked on level ground.The rear of your vehicle has jack points.Refer to the owner's manual for guidance if you are unsure where to find the jack points.Lift and lower the jack handle to jack up the vehicle.Place jack stands beneath the vehicle to support its weight once it is high enough to work.Don't work under a vehicle that is supported by a jack.
Step 4: Penetrating fluid can be sprayed onto the muffler clamps.
The muffler will be secured if it is not welded in place.The nuts are tightened onto either end.The muffler may have accumulated a lot of rust because it is exposed to road gunk and water.Allow the rust penetrator to soak in for a few minutes after spraying it on the bolts.The process is the same if the muffler is secured to the exhaust pipe.Before you can loosen the bolts, you need to use multiple applications of rust penetrator.Most auto parts and large retail stores have rust penetrator.
Step 5: The nuts on the muffler clamps can be loosened with a hand or a sockets wrench.
With the rust broken loose, it's a good idea to loosen the nuts on the exhaust clamps with a hand wrench or sockets.If the bolt breaks, you will probably need to replace it.As you work it loose, you may want to spray it with more rust penetrator.Replacement clamps can be purchased at your local auto parts store.
Step 6: Take the exhaust and muffler apart.
Allow the area where the muffler pipe meets the exhaust piping to sit for a few more minutes while you respray it.You should be able to pull the muffler towards the back of the car to separate the pipes.You may have to cut the pipes apart if they are too rusted together.You will have to cut the pipes apart if your muffler was welded in place.
Step 7: Appropriate safety equipment to put on.
The debris stuck on the bottom of the car could be freed up by cutting through the exhaust piping.Before moving forward, eye protection is mandatory.It is highly recommended that you wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects after you make a cut.Goggle style eye protection is the best for this job.From above, below and on the sides, they will prevent debris from falling into your eyes.Leather workman's gloves can be used to protect your hands.
Step 8: If there is a cut off tool available, use it.
If you have access to an exhaust cut off tool, you can remove welded or rusted on mufflers.Most saws leave a cleaner cut when an exhaust cut off tool goes all the way around the pipe.Wrap the exhaust cutter around the pipe and move the handle back and forth to cut through it.You can reach an exhaust cutting tool with a hacksaw.At your local auto parts store, you can purchase an exhaust cutter.
Step 9: Use a hack saw to cut the metal.
If you don't have access to an exhaust cutter, you can use a hack saw.You can cut into the pipe if there is a rusted clamp.You can see through the exhaust piping if there is not.If you don't keep your eyes protected during this process, you could get a metal fragment in your eye.It's important to use a hack saw blade rated for steel.You don't need to use more than one blade to get through the exhaust piping.
Step 10: If you cut through anything else, be careful.
The cramped space may make it difficult to see through the pipe with a hack saw.Be careful not to see through the lines on the underside of your vehicle, as they may be for your fuel or brakes.When sawing through the exhaust piping, try to move anything to the side that doesn't interfere with your clearance.If you can't see through the pipe without damaging other things, you may have to purchase more pipe to extend the reach of the new muffler.
Step 11: The rubber muffler mounts should be pulled off.
The rubber muffler mounts are the only thing that will hold the muffler in place.There is a piece of metal attached to the body of the vehicle.Pull the metal part of the vehicle from the back of it.You will need to pull hard to get out the metal that is at the end of the eyelet.If you tear the rubber eyelet, you can buy a replacement at most auto parts stores.
Step 12: The test is to fit the new muffler.
There is a new muffler next to the old one.Make sure the metal that the muffler hangs from is the same place and that there is enough piping to reach where you disconnected or cut off the previous one.Check the diameter of the piping.The muffler needs to slide onto the exhaust pipe.Measure the inside and outside diameter of each pipe and buy an accessory at your local auto parts store.If the pipe from the muffler doesn't fit, you'll need to buy piping from your local auto parts store.If you use an extension pipe, make sure you secure it to the muffler's pipe in the same way you would the exhaust pipe.
Step 13: The rubber muffler mounts have the new muffler hangers in them.
If you want to support the weight of the muffler, slide the metal hanger on it.Once the muffler is installed, the rubber will prevent it from rattling or making a noise inside the cabin.You should still be able to move the muffler around as you secure it to the exhaust piping.If you damaged the rubber eyelet, you need to replace it.
Step 14: The end of the pipe should be sprayed with exhaust sealant.
Before sliding the new pipe into place, spray it with an exhaust sealant.The spray on exhaust sealant will help establish an air tight seal between the two pipes and reduce the chances of an exhaust leak.Depending on the brand, you may need to allow the exhaust sealant to sit for a while before moving on.Refer to the instructions on the exhaust sealant to know how long it will take to cure.At your local auto parts store, you can purchase exhaust sealant.
Step 15: The exhaust should be put together.
The exhaust pipe should be moved over the muffler piping.The rubber eyelet should hang straight up and down if the muffler rests directly below it.The pipes should fit together.If the pipes feel loose or can be wiggled, you will need an adaptor to match the correct size.Two or a half-inch is the diameter of most exhaust piping.Even if you overtighten the muffler clamps, you won't be able to seal the wrong pipe onto another pipe.
Step 16: The piping needs to be secured with mufflers.
The area where one pipe overlaps the other should be covered with a muffler clamp.If it's not possible to move the pipes back and forth, use a hand or sockets wrench.To make sure you have enough leverage to tighten it, use a half inch drive wrench.If the exhaust piping overlaps, you could crush it.
Step 17: The battery needs to be connected.
To check for leaks, start the engine.Vehicles with automatic transmissions should be in park and those with standard transmissions in neutral.Look beneath the car to see where the muffler and exhaust piping meet.If there is an exhaust leak, it would be visible.If you don't know if there is a leak, you can ask a friend to increase the engine's revolutions per minute by pressing down on the gas pedal.It will make leaks more obvious.Allow the piping to cool off if you see a leak.You may need to seat the two pipes together before you re-tighten the clamp.