I just had a Magnaflow catback system installed on my 2000 LX Sedan, and I love it. However, I did have one small issue. When the car goes into a really low idle, the muffler vibrates, and since, the tip is quite large, it just nicks my bumper. I didn't think it was a huge issue, it only happened rarely, but tonight, I noticed that way back by where the tip connects to the muffler, it had melted my bumper just slightly. You can't see it at all, but obviously I don't want this to continue. How do I protect the bumper from the heat, and how do I stop the vibration?

 

i think someone might have had this problem a while ago...forty04 maybe...im not sure how he solved it but i know he did. try searchign for it somewhere.

 

try bending your hangers just a tad,(and it will be tough) or maybe finding a longer set of rubber grommets that hang lower than your current set

 

use two pairs of pliers to bend the hangers a bit. that'd add leverage and make it easier.

 

Thanks, I talked to the mechanic I had install the system, and he said that he had to do a little bending to get them to fit in the first place, and I've only heard it vibrate once or twice. I've driven it around town without any heat issues, but last night I took it out on the highway, and I think just the sheer heat melted it. I went to the autoparts store in town and they sell this heat protection "tape". I can stick that way underneath on that arch, and that should keep things cool, and you won't be able to see it.

 

sounds like it'd be a good idea. the only thing id worry about is the heat melting the glue on the tape. then the tape comes off. then you're back to the melting bumper problem. i still say it'd be better to bend the hooks. actually...i guess youd be sorta straightening the hooks...

 

yeah, that makes sense. I read that post you mentioned and emailed Forty04 so I can find out where to get some of those universal exhaust hangers, so I can adjust things a bit.

 

I got almost the same problem. every so often my DC will rattle against my bumper; it hasn't melted anything (that I can see) but I've tried straighting them out and when I do that I get issues with the piping going over the axle hitting off the sway bar on some turns. So keep us posted on how you fixed this.

 

Problem solved! I wanted to hold off on bending anything a whole lot more because the installer had already done that just to get things to fit, and I don't know how much bending those hangers can take. I searched the web and all the local autoparts stores for universal hangers with no success, so I had to improvise a little. I made my own universal hanger out of a mudflap of a garbage truck. My dad manages a garbage company, so grabbed me an old one, which I cut into a 2X6 strip. I then drilled two 7/16 holes in it about a 1/2 inch further apart that the stock hanger. I took the right side hanger off and put on my custom hanger, because the muffler was vibrating against the right side. Now it sits dead center, and hangs just a tad lower. I might have to put another piece of flap on it eventually, but I think one should be sufficient. This may sound kind of pieced together, but it should work quite well.