Flowmaster rattle

[Wraith2097]

Alright I finally ditched the loudmouth and nabbed that 3 inch flow. I just had it installed the other day and am trying to get used to hearing the engine again. I like how I now don't have to shift out of gear every time I pass a cop, so does my girlfriend. But of course getting a part and having it installed couldn't go smoothly, oh no.

Long story short, when starting from a stop, or at low rpms, I can hear this horrible rattle coming from the back. If I just sit there and rev I can't really hear it, same with if I go over a speed bump (finally!). I'm thankful that I don't have the loudmouth slamming against the car anymore, but this seems a lot worse. I'm gonna bring the car back to have it looked at, but for the sake knowledge, what could this be? Any simple thing I can fix myself by some tightening?

Edit: I'd like to clarify on when the noise happens. Its at low rpms but only when I'm accelerating, not at idle.

[dmw319]

i would just put it up on some jacks and poke around jiggling stuff and see if anything is loose. maybe brackets from the old catback they left on there, or the new hangers or something like that. maybe the body panels have a loose bolt or something. it could be a number of things.

[Pewter2K1]

Check the heat shield that covers the gastank... u can tap it with a screwdriver and probably hear it rattle...

if that is the case, go to buy some expanding foam and squirt some up in there at different points.. thats what i did.. works fine for 3 years and going

[Wraith2097]

I'll do that. I also called the place that installed the exhaust for me. The guy I spoke with said he isn't surprised that it rattles because "the system was not designed for my car". I understand it was designed for a v8 but is that a load of bs? He also refuses to install my cat even when I do get an 02 sim, is the only option installing myself? Is this difficult? I don't have a welder..


Edit: Went ahead and tapped just about everything that I could with a wrench, can't make anything rattle. Would could this be?

[ October 17, 2005, 04:08 PM: Message edited by: Wraith2097 ]

[Wraith2097]

I'm almost certain its the heat shield, at least I'm sure I'm looking at the right thing. The heat shield your speaking of is that thin sheet of metal just above the muffler correct? If so it sounds like the muffler is vibrating against it. I'm getting a sound similar to if you tap a piece of tin. If thats the problem, then what kind of foam do I purchase? Or is there an alternative?

[ October 21, 2005, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: Wraith2097 ]

[Lionel'z Camaro]

Originally posted by Pewter2K1:
Check the heat shield that covers the gastank... u can tap it with a screwdriver and probably hear it rattle...

if that is the case, go to buy some expanding foam and squirt some up in there at different points.. thats what i did.. works fine for 3 years and going

x2 < been there done that had the same problem. Could be exhaust tips too, just look for metal to metal contact

[Wraith2097]

The tips seem to have plenty of clearance. I shook the pipes to try and pinpoint it. Hard doing it alone, but it sounds like the muffler is hitting the area over it. The guy that installed it claims its the overaxle pipe. I had a problem with the overaxle on the loudmouth striking. That sounded very different and I don't think thats the problem.

[Lionel'z Camaro]

most likely its to close to the heat shield

[Wraith2097]

What kind of foam should I use to put between the shield and body? Or is it between the muffler and shield that it should be applied?

[Lionel'z Camaro]

first of all don't use foam, it will melt. Try to pry the heat shield away. But really what I'd do is just take it to a muffler shop and spend $30 at the most and have them to fix it. When I got my center exit exhaust added, I had some kinda major problem with noise. any time I even shifted to R or D it would make this clanking noise. I think because my exhaust had come a loose in a few different places. This shop welded a peice at the rear with some sort of a rubber support and now my exhaust is solid! I used to could push the side rear of my car and just watch the exhaust shake, but that's not a problem any more.

[Wraith2097]

Every time I go to an exhaust place they keep telling me that the pipes were made for a v8 not a six, and that there is little or nothing they can do to fully repair the problem. They tinker with it for a little bit charge me a couple bucks, and send me on my way with the same exact problem. My only reasoning behind this is that they think a lighter wallet will take pressure off the exhaust.

[Lionel'z Camaro]

they're dumb as hell, and you should tell them that you're not paying them to drive around with the same problem you came in with.

I say either take it to a whole different city and try them, if they can't help, jack it up your self and you may have to boot leg it. If I were you I'd undo all the hangers in the back and put something under the exhaust and let it sit on there, then look for any areas that look like they may have been getting hit by your exhaust. Find something to move the heat shield away or just put something non flammable in between the two. Oh yea, grease stops squeeks between metals, it may melt though. If its really close you may find a different peice of metal that will just fit and stop the rattle.<that's mainly if it's the heatsheild.

First, find out exactly where the noise is coming from. Sometimes it's hard, but that would be the best thing to do first.

[Pewter2K1]

The foam will not melt.... i have had it on my car for 4 years now.... just get the expanding foam in a can... has a tube that goes on the tip... crack sealant... just spray some of it up between the shield and the car in random places.. it will expand and travel further in....

and its BS... super BS that they say its made for a v8, aside from the engine. its the same ****ing car!! and when you leave tell them to stick a tailpipe up their butt.. if they say, oh taht wont fit... tell them try one thats made for a v6 biotch

[Lionel'z Camaro]

oh, that foam, I'd think it would melt too but its cool if it works

[Wraith2097]

Originally posted by Pewter2K1:
The foam will not melt.... i have had it on my car for 4 years now.... just get the expanding foam in a can... has a tube that goes on the tip... crack sealant... just spray some of it up between the shield and the car in random places.. it will expand and travel further in....

and its BS... super BS that they say its made for a v8, aside from the engine. its the same ****ing car!! and when you leave tell them to stick a tailpipe up their butt.. if they say, oh taht wont fit... tell them try one thats made for a v6 biotch

Lmao thanks man, I needed a good laugh. I swear I'm never going to another franchise again. Its been nothing but trouble and costs twice as much as going private. I'm going to go get some jackstands and try a hand at fixing it myself. I really want to start doing most of the work myself. I'm tired of letting other people play with my car only to screw it up. I will look into both grease and foam. I assume by moving the shield away you mean to dent it somehow.

Edit: On a side note, is it difficult to learn to weld? Someday I'd like to repair the crappy welding they did on the exhaust too. I noticed holes on both sections they welded.

[ October 23, 2005, 09:38 AM: Message edited by: Wraith2097 ]