Hi guys,

The "history" of the problem is at the end of the message so I can jump straight to the meat.

I'm going to replace the exhaust/muffler from the rear flange backward. I need to know how many hangers there are, and their locations. I ask because I'm getting a lot of banging at the support where the pipe goes over the rear axle and want to make sure I didn't lose one somewhere. Here's what I've been able to see:

- One hanger centerline, about midway back on the car, behind the resonator.
- One hanger to the left of the muffler.
- Two hangers to the right of the muffler.

All look and feel solid, but if I grab the exhaust right in front of the rear axle, it's very easily moved enough to bang and I'm sick of it after only one day.

So, am I missing a hanger? Is there supposed to be something in the space below the exhaust, above the axle? Or is the rusted, very weak joint at the flange enough to cause the exhaust to swing enough to bang the rear axle support? I'm including pics.

Rusted Flange (yay)



Rear support, seen from front/side



Rear support, seen from rear


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Boring History:

About two months ago I noticed the sound of an exhaust leak, traced it to the flange just before the rear axle. Bought the gasket with the intent to replace it, never got there. As most of you already know - and I just learned - it wasn't the gasket so much as a rusted pipe on the muffler side: the upturned flange right next to the rear wheel does a wonderful job of giving water and wet stuff to pool and stick - good job Nissan!

Anyway, the exhaust started banging on the rear axle yesterday so I went back under. The pipe is rusted enough at the rear flange that I can move the exhaust easily with my hand and see the gap, as well as hear that sweet rusty metal sound.

Is the rusted, gaping joint enough to allow the exhaust to swing side-to-side and bang the rear axle?

 

^^ Yeah, it sure can be enough. Usually the factory system never bangs until there's problems.

Aftermarket systems hit the cross-member because of bigger piping size, so again in your case it's most likely the hole.

Fix your exhaust, a leak will hurt MPG and performance too.

If you're interested, I have a really nice axle-back that I can give you dirt cheap, just because I want to clear up more room in the basement

 

Sending you a PM.

Jack

 

Mine had a rusty flange too, they did the axle-over... I'm still working on seeing the fuel economy improvement but I'll keep people posted on actual results!