Have 2003 Maxima GLE, 63k miles. Today the exhaust started making a
noise. I had a look underneath. All exhaust components are in good
condition. The problem is the joint between the Rear Muffler and Rear
Exhaust Tube Assembly.

A pipe exits the Rear Muffler towards the front. At the end of this
pipe is welded a flange which inables it to be bolted to a similar set
up on the pipe coming rearwards from the Rear Exhaust Tube Assembly.

On the Rear Muffler the weld between the flange and the pipe has
completely given way and separated.

Can the flange be re-welded to the pipe and if so who would I get to
do it. It just seems a waste to replace a perfectly good rear muffler.

The exhaust on my 93 GXE was still good at 168k miles.

 

Did the weld itself fail, or did it rust through? If it's rusted through, personally I'd just replace the rear section.

Basically, it can only be welded back up if it can be welded back up. Kind of circular logic there, but whatever.

Just take it to an exhaust shop, have them rack it and take a look at it. That's the only real way to know whether or not it can be fixed up quickly.

 

This a very common problem with these cars. A local muffler shop fixed mine for $75 by cutting out the flange and welding in a new pipe.

There are a few thread out there with this same issue.
The following thread has some useful information: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=334180

 

FYI: Stock A33 rear section can support up to 250 whp.

 

Where did that come from?

 

Stop being a and check the dyno sect0Or

 

Now I'm really confused...

 

6spd_hayes put down 247 w/ stock cattback

 

lol hes drunk off his azz

 

Eff you.... you *****.

 

right...

same thing happened to me, and exact same outcome... can't remember how much i paid for it though... it was under 100

 

and if your are a bit mechanically incline, you can do it yourself, even if you don't have a welder. cut the flange off on both pipes, get a 12" or so pipe that fits snuggly "sp" over the original pipe and put two clamps on, should do the trick for less than $20 and about an hour of your own labor.

 

This is a VERY common problem, been talked to death...

Either have an exhaust shop re-weld it or have them cut off the flanges and sleeve it.

 

Thanks for the feedback and links.