Yes kids, you heard it first: my exhaust is now in two pieces. It fell apart as I pulled into the parking lot this morning.

The mounting flange snapped off of the -- ?-resonator-? -- the fat piece of the pipe between the cat and the muffler. There's a LOT of rust under there.

Obviously I will be going to the muffler shop after work. Any chance this might be fixable? or am I suddenly in the market for a new catback?

****!

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I would find that as an excuse to buy a new catback. I'd say get a new one if you have the money.

 

i say start pricing out a cat back ---its kind of hard to weld or repair rusty pipes

 

THey should be able to weld in a replacement peice for pretty cheap, but now would be as good a time as any to just get a cat-back. You could try a junkyard and find that section of your exhaust from another car and just bolt it back in.

 

Just went out and took a closer look during lunch. Can't say I expected spending money on this right now, but this thing is TOAST, stainless my ***! See for yourself!



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No sweat. Maybe 50 bucks for a new section of pipe and a flange. You could just get them to run all new 2.25" all the way back for ~ $100, maybe less if you flirt a little. ONly problem is it wont' be mandrel bent like it is now.

 

Thanks Sniper, that's reassuring. I'll find out at 5 today.

 

The muffler shop will probably give you a big hassle and try to sell you a new exhaust, especially with you being female. Stick to your plan and keep insisting that they only weld in a piece to make repairs.

 

Yeah I intend to not let them rip me off

I just hope it really can be fixed easily, because it's actually the end of the resonator that has rusted off, not just a chunk of pipe.

In the meantime I'll be tying the pipe up to the car with some picture frame wire, because that's all I can find in my office. I only have to make it about 2 miles to the muffler shop.

 

Just got back from the muffler shop. They were totally cool and complimented me on my car, which was nice! Basically they gave me two options: 1. replace the whole resonator with a 2" pipe, estimated cost $200, "but I know that's not what you want," he said; or, 2. bring it back when their best welder is in, and if it is at all fixable, this guy will be able to do it, estimated cost $50. So I'm going with #2, taking it back tomorrow morning. If that doesn't work I'll be looking for a new exhaust -- actually, I'll probably be looking for one anyway because I bet it will still be a temporary fix even if this guy can weld it together.


In the meantime I sound like a total a**hole