[tw0scoops123]

Hey Guys. I've been noticing a rattle on startup coming from the muffler area. I was hoping it was just a loose bolt, but it didnt seem like it. I hit the right muffler with my fist and it made a rattle sound. Do you think it might be a loose baffler or something? If I contact the company who made the GTA's, is there anything that can do? Or am I screwed? I'm pretty sure I have had these at least 2 years.

 

[myltlpny]

Are you sure it's internal to the muffler? Or could it be one of the pipes coming over the axle? I've heard of some clearance issues coming over the axle, perhaps something's shifted with time and use.

 

[tw0scoops123]

Are you sure it's internal to the muffler? Or could it be one of the pipes coming over the axle? I've heard of some clearance issues coming over the axle, perhaps something's shifted with time and use.

Hm...I'll run outside and check brb.

 

[tw0scoops123]

No. It doesn't look like any clearance issue. Definately sounds like its coming out of the muffler.

 

[AFStang]

Well, I know that on cold startups my car used to have a rattle coming from what seemed to be the passenger side near the cats... there is a TSB out on the issue; apparently there are like 4 bolts that are holding a heat shield in place for the exhaust, but Ford only put 2 of the 4 bolts in... this allows the shield to vibrate and rattle on some cars. This may be what you're experiencing, although it sounds almost as if you have an issue with the muffler itself. I'm not sure how GT supreme axlebacks are built, but there may be something loose within the muffler itself?

 

[AFStang]

...also, be sure the rattle isnt coming from one of your cats... you could cause serious damage to your engine if anything is loose or obstructing them...

 

[tw0scoops123]

...also, be sure the rattle isnt coming from one of your cats... you could cause serious damage to your engine if anything is loose or obstructing them...

The cats are no where near the muffler are they?

I mean when i hit the muffler my head is right under it and it pretty much sounds like its coming out of the muffler.

 

[blk281gt]

How about taking that muffler off and shaking or hitting it to see if you hear it.

 

[stlwagon]

Take the muffler off and shake it to see if any cat substrate comes out. The GTAs are not chambered so it can't be a baffle.

 

[charlie_morman]

Is it while cold and idling?

I have a problem where it sounds like I'm getting a rattle from the muffler after pushing in the clutch after giving it some gas while everything is cold.

Maybe try something that pads between the exhaust pipe and the muffler and can withstand the temperature... It might have something to do with thermal expansion of the metal sealing any gaps and ending the noise as everything warms up?

I feel like it makes the car sound trashy

 

[tw0scoops123]

I'lll try taking it off and seeing if it rattles. But it is only on cold startups...then the muffler must warm up and the rattling stops since the metal expands slightly.

 

[Brent05redfire]

check the connection from the muffler to the over axle pipe. I had to tighten my Flowmasters down three times, over a two month period, before it would not work loose. I could nudge the muffler tip with my foot and it would rock back and forth and you could hear a rattle. I finally got a 2 foot breaker bar to help torque the clamp down enough to squeeze the connection tight enough.

it could be that the connection is warming up enough and expanding so you don't hear the rattle after startup and warm up.

 

[stlwagon]

I'lll try taking it off and seeing if it rattles. But it is only on cold startups...then the muffler must warm up and the rattling stops since the metal expands slightly.

Things expand and contract with the temp. You might have a clearance issue when cold that disappears when it warms up.

 

[AFStang]

..thats what it sounds like. If you say it comes from the muffler itself, then you shouldnt have a loose heat shield issue.