Muffler Replacement

[PottedMeat]

I want to replace the muffler on a old 88 Corolla FX ( a.k.a Geo Prizm ) - about how much would it cost if I took it to a shop? As far as I can tell, it's just the muffler that needs to be replaced.

The muffler is bolted on and has 3 posts that hook into rubber ( I think they are ) loops on the chassis.

Also, if I were to do this myself, the online auto parts places have multiple mufflers available - but they look slightly different from each other.

Like this:

Muffler #1 - this has two posts at the exhaust end like the one on the car but they point out back. The ones on the car point sideways - can I just bend them outward?

Muffler #2 - this has a more curved intake and a different hook on at the exhaust end.

And uh this one that doesnt even have a picture:

http://www.autopartswarehouse....lerQQ1988QQTY5407.html

I've got the tools ( wrenches/torch/vise )
Any tips?

 

[alkemyst]

dude, take it to a pro; you are scaring us.

For a muffler you only need to worry about the dimensions and the inlet and outlet pipes.

You will usually need to weld on the hooks that go to the chassis.

Without a welder, muffler work is usually beyond backyard mechanics.

A shop should charge only about $50 over the cost of the muffler though or less.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

It's worth it to take it to a shop since they have a welder. It only takes about 15 minutes or so and doesn't cost much. I think I paid about $85 for a Dynomax installed.

 

[PottedMeat]

...damn I figured the hardest part would be taking off the two bolts at the front of the muffler.

I thought it would be just:
1. Take off 2 rusty bolts.
2. Unhook the three hooks looped though the rubber 'suspenders'
3. Hang new muffler from rubber 'suspenders'
4. Reattach the 2 bolts

But if a shop will do it for ~$100, I may just do that.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
...damn I figured the hardest part would be taking off the two bolts at the front of the muffler.

I thought it would be just:
1. Take off 2 rusty bolts.
2. Unhook the three hooks looped though the rubber 'suspenders'
3. Hang new muffler from rubber 'suspenders'
4. Reattach the 2 bolts

But if a shop will do it for ~$100, I may just do that.

If it's a bolt on muffler it's not worth the shop. The problem is I imagine from the year of that car the muffler bolt post are porbably so rusted on that it needs to be cut off. I've gotten away with spraying PB on the bolts and cleaning them and heating them and then taking a crack. You might get lucky (wire brush and a lot of PB) If your willing to waiting and put some work into it then fine. But if you have problems you will need to cut off the flange and weld a new one on. In which case you don't have welding equipment.

 

[amdskip]

We've had great luck replacing the pieces ourselves instead of wasting money on a shop. I say give it a try. The mounting brackets should all be welded on already. Also put never seize on the bolts so they are easier to remove next time.

 

[alfa147x]

see if you can take it off, if you can take it off you can put it on

 

[bruceb]

If it is a bolt in, then do it yourself. It should not take more than
1/2 hour or so at most. And yes, most cars do have the rubber
mounts where the hook from the muffler goes into. You may want
to spray the rubber with Silicon Spray to make it easier to get the
mounts in and out.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
...damn I figured the hardest part would be taking off the two bolts at the front of the muffler.

I thought it would be just:
1. Take off 2 rusty bolts.
2. Unhook the three hooks looped though the rubber 'suspenders'
3. Hang new muffler from rubber 'suspenders'
4. Reattach the 2 bolts

But if a shop will do it for ~$100, I may just do that.

If it's a bolt on muffler it's not worth the shop. The problem is I imagine from the year of that car the muffler bolt post are porbably so rusted on that it needs to be cut off. I've gotten away with spraying PB on the bolts and cleaning them and heating them and then taking a crack. You might get lucky (wire brush and a lot of PB) If your willing to waiting and put some work into it then fine. But if you have problems you will need to cut off the flange and weld a new one on. In which case you don't have welding equipment.

A bolt-on muffler is not going to have the exhaust hangers you realize.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: amdskip
We've had great luck replacing the pieces ourselves instead of wasting money on a shop. I say give it a try. The mounting brackets should all be welded on already. Also put never seize on the bolts so they are easier to remove next time.

Only if he is buying it from the dealer or a made to order muffler....

 

[Squisher]

Exhaust systems were the first automotive repair that I decided that I'd farm out to a shop rather than do it my self. I had gotten enough rust in my eyes and smashed knuckles to last a lifetime after doing my first half dozen exhausts.

 

[DOTC]

or just buy the OE replacement from autozone. its more expensive, but you should be able to do it yourself. (unless the bolts are rust-welded)

Edit*: I guess I should have read further down.

 

[lurk3r]

Originally posted by: Squisher
Exhaust systems were the first automotive repair that I decided that I'd farm out to a shop rather than do it my self. I had gotten enough rust in my eyes and smashed knuckles to last a lifetime after doing my first half dozen exhausts.

Oh yeah, all of my worst injuries from working on cars were mufflers, mangled knuckles, holes in the back of my had from the u-bolts when the muffler finally let go and fell. $85 worth of labour is not worth holes in your body, pay someone.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: lurk3r

Originally posted by: Squisher
Exhaust systems were the first automotive repair that I decided that I'd farm out to a shop rather than do it my self. I had gotten enough rust in my eyes and smashed knuckles to last a lifetime after doing my first half dozen exhausts.

Oh yeah, all of my worst injuries from working on cars were mufflers, mangled knuckles, holes in the back of my had from the u-bolts when the muffler finally let go and fell. $85 worth of labour is not worth holes in your body, pay someone.

Some people pay more to have holes put in their bodies (and some to get into holes)

 

[PottedMeat]

Heh that was easy.

1. Take off tire.
2. Spray some liquid wrench on the bolts, spray some WD40 on the rubber suspenders.
3. Unbolt old muffler, wiggle suspenders off hangers.
4. Transfer rubber suspenders to new muffler.
5. Hang new muffler and add bolts.

The old muffler was pretty screwed up - looked like swiss cheese.

The most time consuming part was scraping off the UPS sticker.