Muffler and the whole exhaust pipe is loose and wobbling as I go over bumps making a rattling noise. I took off rear wheel and saw the muffler seems to be suspended by a rubber thing that is old and stretched out. Is this piece that is causing the issue? What is this part called so I can replace it? Or is the exhaust system supposed to be suspended at some other points too that have become loose? I have not had a chance to go underneath the car to examine well.

 

Don't know what year you have, but they are not all the same, nor is Fed Spec vs Cali spec. But start here or look on Amazon if you have Prime: https://www.ebay.com/itm/12664322586...Model%3AMaxima

 

Here’s both the California Spec and the Fed Spec systems (1999 M.Y.) from the FSM.

Note the locations of the system segment pieces and connections and the rubber ‘suspenders’.



The pieces that Keith linked you to sounds like what’s likely gone bad.

 

@Turbobink @KP11520 Thank you for the info and graphics. I now know what they are called.

I looked underneath the car and it looks like there is a bracket that is broken or rusted off right after the rear exhaust tube assembly. A rubber hanger/insulator attaches to it. So that hanger is not working to hold up the exhaust at that point, instead it is still being held by the 3 rubber hangers on the muffler, plus 2 rubber hangers right after the front exhaust tube assembly.

This is the part that is broken:



My question is, is it ok to keep driving without that one rubber hanger not functional, and just leave the system hanging by the other 5 hangers?

I wasn't able to figure out how the bracket broke off... if it rusted off or what... it is still attached the to rubber hanger and just dangles there. I dunno if there is a way to fix it, or if its even worth fixing. The 5 functional hangers are still in ok shape. My original concern was the whole exhaust was too loose because I heard a rattling noise when going over bumps, but turns out the rattling was just caused by that broken bracket that dangles from the rubber insulator.

 

If you leave that pipe unsupported you run the risk of other exhaust hangers breaking due to the added stress. The proper solution would be to have a hanger welded back onto the pipe, but if the pipe is already rusted out, that may be difficult. If you need a temporary solution, a metal coat hanger can be bent and wrapped around the pipe and tied to the rubber hanger to give it some support.

 

Get a clamp on style exhaust hanger.

 

I agree 100%. If you notice the system is supported on both sides of the entire run, because when driving over rough roads amplifies the spiraling effect and tear, to damage the remaining hangers. Every hanger point is there for a GOOD reason.

 

Those mufflers and pipes are deceptively heavy. It can be tricky to sort out the problem while laying on the floor with the vehicle on jackstands.
Sometimes a muffler shopman is a good guy to know.