Aftermarket muffler hangs too low

[rbcole123]

I have a '97 Avalon and recently purchased a replacement muffler by Bosal from . The muffler was supposed to be an exact fit for the original but when installed by my mechanic, it hangs too low and in fact, scrapes on my driveway a bit (driveway is sloped). Brought it back to the mechanic, who adjusted it a tiny amount (not enough) and he said there was nothing more that could be done.

Has anyone had a similar issue and if so, how did you solve it? Different brackets perhaps? The old muffler fit perfectly -- not sure why a new one that is designed to be an OEM replacement would have these issues.

Thanks.

[BonzoGonzo]

yea - put some anti-grav paint on the bottom of that baddd bo-hi! not too much, tho. you'll be the first avvy in orbit!

[fourwheeler]

My only guess is that OEM replacement means it has the same inlet and outlet specs, but overall dimensions could be different. Some parts are designed to fit and to work the same as OEM, but not to be exact reproductions of the OEM part.

You may need to replace the muffler. Not necessarily with one from Toyota, but one with the same overall size and fit.

[TedL]

Originally Posted by fourwheeler

My only guess is that OEM replacement means it has the same inlet and outlet specs, but overall dimensions could be different. Some parts are designed to fit and to work the same as OEM, but not to be exact reproductions of the OEM part.

You may need to replace the muffler. Not necessarily with one from Toyota, but one with the same overall size and fit.

What part of it is too low? Near the joint with the mid pipe? At the muffler body? At the outlet? Bosal is generally a reliable brand made to OE specs. Is the part number you received & installed the one listed by Bosal as exact fit for your application? Are all the supports/hangers actually installed and in good condition?

You have put yourself in that difficult position where three different people are responsible for one repair. Your part supplier, your mechanic and you.

[Jack Deth]

how are your springs? i had a bottoming problem, i put new springs in the rear and it went away.

[rbcole123]

It is too low at the muffler body and outlet (tailpipe). The part is listed as the exact fit for my Avalon (checked 3 different websites). The supports/hangers seem installed and in good condition. There is several inches of space between the top of the muffler and the car body (seems to be a protective metal sheet above the muffler).

Originally Posted by TedL

What part of it is too low? Near the joint with the mid pipe? At the muffler body? At the outlet? Bosal is generally a reliable brand made to OE specs. Is the part number you received & installed the one listed by Bosal as exact fit for your application? Are all the supports/hangers actually installed and in good condition?

You have put yourself in that difficult position where three different people are responsible for one repair. Your part supplier, your mechanic and you.

[fourwheeler]

If there is more room between the muffler and the body, I would consult with the muffler shop and ask them about changing out the hangers to move the muffler and pipe closer to the body.

Did you physically compare the new muffler with the old one?

[BonzoGonzo]

there's a metal rod welded to the mflr that goes through a rubber mount. is that there?

[71Corolla]

This is a very common problem, unfortunately. I've basically given up on aftermarket mufflers, many just don't fit right and in some cased don't sound as good either. I did a resonator pipe the other day, it fit okay but the hangers were not in the right place, I had to do some custom work to make it all correct.

I either scour the junkyards for recently replaced OE Toyota parts, or bite the bullet and get the exhaust parts from Toyota. The last couple of times at my favorite yard, I found two near mint Toyota mufflers (Futaba brand), well worth the $12.95 they charge, in fact a steal of a deal.

[TedL]

Originally Posted by BonzoGonzo

there's a metal rod welded to the mflr that goes through a rubber mount. is that there?

Ummmm...actually, there are two such rods, one at the front and one at the back of the muffler. Both should pass through rubber mounts/hangers.