Exhaust Vibration
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
Exhaust Vibration
I've noticed a new noise at idle. It's a hollow metallic resonation at idle. I can hear it from the cab. I got out and walked around. I can hear it coming from the exhaust and I can hear it from under the truck too. I pressed my foot against the tip and applied a little pressure in the inward direction and the vibration stopped. This points to something loose in the exhaust system. Since the big block rattles a lot more when she's cold the noise is more pronounced at first start-up. Before I go wrenching every bolt (and try to reach up behind the engine for the down pipe) are there any common culprits that might be causing this?
I've got 172K on the odo so between the countless hours of heat and the 5 1/2 years of weather I'd like to find the problem in as few tries as possible. I have this overwhelming sensation that I might do more harm than good (snap bolts off at the head) by tightening everything. Besides, I really don't want to buy 5 cans of PB Blaster to do this.
Any advice?
I've got 172K on the odo so between the countless hours of heat and the 5 1/2 years of weather I'd like to find the problem in as few tries as possible. I have this overwhelming sensation that I might do more harm than good (snap bolts off at the head) by tightening everything. Besides, I really don't want to buy 5 cans of PB Blaster to do this.
Any advice?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
I know the aftermarket exhausts sometimes rub agains the crossmember for the trans, so thats a place to take a look at. Also, look for any rub marks. Suprisingly, the bolts on my stock exhaust came off pretty easily (and I live in the salty north east). A shot or two of PB blaster, a few minutes to soak it, and off they came.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
A common spot is where the downpipe goes over the trans crossmember. Mine used to hit the bolt heads there. I removed the bar with the bolts attached and ground the heads down a little for clearance.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
Likes: 5
From: Kiowa CO
Maybe one of the hangers came loose or the rubber grommet on the hanger has worn down. Just thinking out loud.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Seneca, SC
More than likely its a hangar loose. The down pipe should not be hitting anything on its way down under the truck.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Jonestown, PA
I'd have to go along with a hanger also, I had a hanger come loose so I just welded up a new one and bolted it somewhere under the bed and it pulled the whole exhaust up a little off of that crossmember that guys are talking about.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
Thanks for all the help. I'm going to crawl under it tonight and see if there are any glaring problems that I can rectify now. If not, I'll have to clear some time on the schedule with the boss (wife) to do some more investigative detection.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
Likes: 5
From: Kiowa CO
Good luck. With the stock exhaust, there's plenty of clearance underneath and most likely a hanger wore out. I had two hangers that the rubber was completely gone from age when I replaced my stock exhaust.