How should I remove my muffler?

"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426)
04/10/2014 at 12:39 • Filed to: None

Okay, another stupid question from me. I posted a while ago that !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . So, I basically had three options, stock replacement, weld it, or go big. Well, I went big and bought an Ansa sport exhaust. Looks sick. Center exit dual tips, skinnier, shorter resonator. It looks wicked, but how the hell should I go about this?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Here's the muffler (not my car)

So, how should I remove the old one. Note that the current muffler is not the original, it's the exact same, but was replace with in the past 5 years. I don't have many tools but I do have a hacksaw and a sawzall. Could I get away with just spraying penetrating oil and shimmy it off? I don't really want to cut up the old one incase I want to put it back on.

DISCUSSION (21)

OtherBarry > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:40

You can try to shimmy it off, but go with the sawzall. You can clean up the cut once it is off of the car.

jariten1781 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:41

You should be able to just unbolt it and use some oil to slide it out of the hangers. If it's going through a suspension piece your options are to drop out the whole rear end or cut the pipe though it doesn't look like that's the case there.

505Turbeaux > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:42

depends on how rusted on it is. I would start off spraying it and working it slowly, see if you get any give to it. If so usually it will work off eventually. twist and shake back and forth is usually my MO. sometimes I will cut a relief in the old pipe that goes over the one to be save and work a chisel around it. Many many old mufflers taken off in my life...

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:43

If it's welded on, then you have no choice but to cut it off. If it's clamped on, just try to remove the clamp and hope that the muffler separates easily, if it doesn't bust out the torch and let thermal expansion do the work.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:43

If you want to save the old one, penetrating oil and shimmy should be possible with y< 5 years. Probably. Have a deadblow hammer handy.

deekster_caddy > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:48

You'll never go back. Just sawzall it and save yourself a lot of time.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > 505Turbeaux
04/10/2014 at 12:49

It's pretty clean under there. I took the clamp off earlier and nothing happened, but I didn't spray anything. I will start with that and if not I will try your protip method. Thanks

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > jariten1781
04/10/2014 at 12:49

No suspension to work around, I'm hoping the oil will help. I took the clamps off earlier and it wouldn't budge.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
04/10/2014 at 12:50

Not welded, but no torch either. Fingers crossed.

505Turbeaux > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:50

the other 2 things, ATF is a great penetrating rust busting lube, and heat is your friend

jariten1781 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:52

Rubber mallet and heat. Don't work on it too long though, cut away if it's not coming.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:53

You can always go get a cheap propane torch, scratch that, it is a necessary tool to have around, go buy one.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > 505Turbeaux
04/10/2014 at 12:54

Ahhh, so it's best to take it off while the car's running.

505Turbeaux > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:55

haha no dont do that unless you want to work in a bunch of CO, I meant more a torch if it is stubborn.

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:55

Kinja'd!!!

DO IT.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > 505Turbeaux
04/10/2014 at 12:57

I was completely joking. Forgot to mention that I don't have a torch. Also, can I pick up ATF at any part store?

505Turbeaux > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 12:59

yeah just the cheapes Dex III or whatever auto trans fluid they have. I have loosened pistons with it that have been stuck for 30 years if you soak it long enough

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > 505Turbeaux
04/10/2014 at 13:00

So, with a muffler, would you soak a rag and wrap it around?

505Turbeaux > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 13:04

if you have access to something with a sprayer I would spray the crap out of it, or just dump it on and hit it LIGHTLY with a hammer, not enough to deform the metal, just hard enough for a little capillary action to occur

ThatWillBuffOut > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 13:45

I've been in a similar situation. Generous amounts of PB Blaster and a big hammer was what I used. First, I let the PB Blaster soak in. Then, I twisted the muffler and hit the muffler with the hammer and slowly worked it off. Didn't really take too long.

DailyTurismo > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/10/2014 at 13:48

Quickest way to remove a muffler (in a carburetor equipped vehicle - won't work with fuel injection..sorry)

Step 1: Drive down the street at night, preferably in front of a friends house at 30-40mph.

Step 2: Key -off (this is also known as Cobalting)

Step 3: Mash gas pedal to floor.

Step 4: Count to 5

Step 5: Key -on (this is known as the reverse Cobalt)

Step 6: Muffler removed.

Step 7: Go home.

Disclaimer; if you do this and kill yourself, please don't complain to me.