syntax182

Hey guys, need some help. I have an 02 Maxima SE. Last week my car started making a clunking noise like metal hitting metal. The sound comes from the rear passenger side near the exhaust/muffler assembly. It happens during bumps, from small road bumps to speed bumps. Also happens sometimes when I'm turning.

I thought it was stuff in my trunk, so I cleared it out. Car still makes the same noise. I checked under the car real quick today to see if there is anything loose, so I played with the muffler/exhaust pipe. It makes the noise when I play with it from side to side, and feels loose too. But not too sure if it's that. That's the only thing I can think of.

Anybody have any other ideas what could be making the noise?

It that's the problem, then what do I need to replace? I'm thinking the rubber pieces that holds up the muffler on the hooks, they feels soft. Any advice would help. I searched and couldn't really find a definitive answer.Thanks.

Merlyn

iTrader: (4)

Well...

since the noise is coming from the area around your exhaust

the noise is able to be recreated when you move your exhaust

and you feel the hangers are lose on the exhaust...

Your exhaust might be to blame.

I would crawl under the car and see where exactly the exhaust is hitting then probably replace the hangers closest / most warn.

Or replace them all...

Kyle00

iTrader: (5)

Crawl under there and look. I had this problem not too long ago. Mine ended up being where the muffler section bolted up to the cat exhaust piece near the rear axle. the pipe pulled out of the flange and was rattling around. I welded the flange back on the pipe, installed a new gasket and that fixed the problem

boondoxmax

iTrader: (1)

probably the b-pipe. It has a metal clip on it that always rust off and causes the pipe to hit the beam. look under your car and you'll see what i am talking about. my car is doing it now and i am trying to decide if i wanna get another OEM b pipe or an aftermarket one. Don't want any increase in noise so aftermarket scares me

syntax182

Awesome, I'll delve into it this week and replace all the hangers. Hopefully it's just that and not the b-pipe clip like boondox saids. I'll let you guys know. Thanks.

syntax182

Update:

Yeah, I jacked up my car today and looked under and found the culprit. The muffler rusted off at the flange that connects to the b-pipe. Time to get a new exhaust system.

Thanks for the help people!

Peace.

Kyle00

iTrader: (5)

If your describing what I'm thinking... you'd only need the muffler section

rocketsled

Its more than likely the pipe where it goes over the axle. Same thing happened to me. Get new rubber connectors, or heat up hangars with blow torch and bend them a little (although you may have a problem keeping your tip centered), it is the cheapest solution.

Drockb418

iTrader: (10)

when i get home i might take a look because it sound to me like a whole lot of washes hitting each other it it makes like a bell noise. it drives me insane

syntax182

That's true, but I was thinking of replacing the whole thing myself anyway for a long time now to aftermarket parts. Just never got around to it and had a crappy job back then too. Now I can afford the parts though. Ha ha. Plus the b-pipe looks a little rusted too when I was under there. Damn Nissan, ha ha. Still love my 02 though.

Awesome avatar by the way. Ali is sick.

gxe2se

iTrader: (33)

cheap solution for worn out rubber hangers.
Just get some hose clamps and wrap rubber hangers.
Then tighten to remove the slack.

I just did it and works pretty good.

As for the rusted out hanger.... just get it welded for like $20.
---------
In times like these, why spend when we're in a freaking recession.
(unless you really have to spend and wanny REALLY do it right)
---------

Oh if its the flange... yeah you gotta replace. My mechanic suggested to
do it right, so I changed out the muffler with NEW oem to repair the mufflers
rusted flange.

Good luck.

g.sembhi

hey guys
i had the same noise coming from my car, trust me it's not the muffler hangers. it comes from inside the trunk where i never looked. there are two thin metal rods inside the trunk instead of a shock as in the new maxima. there's a plastic separater that keeps them from hitting each other when the trunk is closed. in my car the plastic thing was broken that was making the noise. i bought a rubber muffler hanger form autozone and cut it from outside and put it between the two rods and the noise is gone, later i put an another one just in case, i'll try to post pics cuz i know its really hard to explain
good luck