Magnapacks = Problems?

[Sub-Zero]

Has anyone ever had problems with a Magnaflow Magnapack cat-back on your Mach?
I've had one on for a few months and I love the way that it makes my Mach sound. But I've been having so many problems with the fitment...
Ever since I've had it installed, it's been banging on something underneath the car. I've figured that it's the sway bar in the rear, cause it can't be hitting on the axle. So I get underneath the car and adjust the pipes so there's more clearance. Then, I go over a few bumps, hit a few unavoidable ditches and guess what, more clanking and banging. Now recently I've been hearing a new squeaking noise along with normal banging and whatnot. Along with a rattle.
So many noises. They didn't use to be there when I had the stock exhaust on.

Anyone else ever have aftermarket exhaust problems? How did you fix them?
I would just love to stop wincing and growling everytime I hit a bump or ditch...

[TRmachwon]

My driver side axle pipe was banging off the frame rail. Fixed it when the panhard bar mount pushed it away and forced it into a spot where it couldn't move. My car has so many random bangs/rattles/noises I don't even care anymore.

[ASH302]

i had it for a few mins till i went to the exhaust shop and they tweak the piping and the sound went away.

ASh

[shakn]

Originally Posted by TRmachwon

My driver side axle pipe was banging off the frame rail. Fixed it when the panhard bar mount pushed it away and forced it into a spot where it couldn't move. My car has so many random bangs/rattles/noises I don't even care anymore.

+1 on axle pipe banging on frame rail but mine was on the passenger side, sometimes it would bang just at idle lol drove me crazy, put some electrical tape on the pipe that was banging and bam problem solved, i suggest you get under your car and start moving your pipes at the rear first to see were the noise might be coming from

[nitmare]

just take it to a shop and let them adjust it.. They can also cut some pipe or add for better fitment. after the second time going back to the mufler shop no banging!!!

[DSG2003Mach1]

I had to tweak mine a few times to get it right, seems they fit very closely in several spots

[ASH302]

Originally Posted by nitmare

just take it to a shop and let them adjust it.. They can also cut some pipe or add for better fitment. after the second time going back to the mufler shop no banging!!!

yeap make it easy on your self, just take to exhaust shop

ASh

[Sub-Zero]

How much do you think an exhaust shop would charge for just some simple fitment issues like I've got?

[ASH302]

Originally Posted by Sub-Zero

How much do you think an exhaust shop would charge for just some simple fitment issues like I've got?

i'm not sure but i want to think it would be under $50 bucks, but i would plan on $100 bucks, i would shop around and get a free est on it from diff shops if you have a few around you. i member i went to one shop i used before and they didn't even charge me anything, so it can't be that much, they just have to move the piping alittle and you should be good to go. but like i said i'm not a exhaust shop so i can't give you a price for sure, i just don't see it costin alot to do it

ASh

[smith30]

IMO something isn't sitting right...durh smitty lol

But really magnaflow fitment is 99% of the time spot on. That's why they cost $500 or something for a CB.

I have had many different setups on my car. Try doing this:
-Loosen all bolts/fittings to where you can spin rotate/move all pipes (even tips)
-Start at the midpipe and work your way back
-Spin the flowtubes and see how the mufflers move in relation, which in turn tweaks the over axle pipes.
-Then when you are happy, snug the midpipe to flowtube bolts, and work your way back snugging bolts/clamps
-Finally get your tips right and snug those.
-Then go back and tighten them all down.

FYI...something I have noticed with my SSS catback, not only do CB bends have to allow clearance but also the length of each pipe. If even one pipe is too long it will push the over axle hump of the CB pipe toward the back of the car, making for clunks as the axle travels up and down...can also apply if pipe is too short.

Your two areas of concern are mainly the over axle hump to make sure the center of the hump is directly over the axle and also rotating it so it clears both the rear control arms from the frame to the rear axle and also clearing the frame at the top, and around the gas tank so it does not rub/melt the tank cover.

After you are done try opening the trunk and pushing down on the plastic trim panel around the trunk latch (just to avoid pushing on the rear fender) to get the car to squat and listen for clunks. 9 times out of 10 when I did this I didn't get any noises over bumps.

OHHH almost forgot, my Magnaflow tips had a tendency to have the tip hangers "clang" on the tips. Because they were so long after they went through the set screw they would/could move. You can put some flame resistant material between them and the tip, or bend them up, or cut them shorter.

[WNTAMACH1]

My car is slammed and mine bangs on the rear sway bar every so often.

[DSG2003Mach1]

Originally Posted by WNTAMACH1

My car is slammed and mine bangs on the rear sway bar every so often.

may need to check the slip fit before the axle...when I installed mine the axle was hitting, so I slid it together more and moved it too much causing the sway bar to hit from time to time. With the H&R super sports I was able to get it adjusted so it never hit anything

[WNTAMACH1]

Thanks man, I had the tailpipes installed at a shop. I'll check it out. I'm putting on some Eibach pro kit soon, Should raise it 1/2.

[Fenixfire]

I had no issues with mine when it was on my 04 mach. It was solid and fit great. Its all in the install.....

[R.Shackleford]

Great fitment on mine, BUT the drivers side tip/hanger with the stupid screw comes loose every time I drive the car. Seems to be a fairly common issue. Funny to come on and see this thread, I literally just came in the house from finally putting a weld on to hold the tip in place. Should have done it a long time ago.

Any other rubbing should be easy to adjust out. Try to look over the pipes for any places that have rub marks. I think most common is over the axle rubbing on the control arms.

[WNTAMACH1]

I bought my CB used and the tips were welded on there when I got it.

[smith30]

Originally Posted by R.Shackleford

Great fitment on mine, BUT the drivers side tip/hanger with the stupid screw comes loose every time I drive the car. Seems to be a fairly common issue. Funny to come on and see this thread, I literally just came in the house from finally putting a weld on to hold the tip in place. Should have done it a long time ago.

Any other rubbing should be easy to adjust out. Try to look over the pipes for any places that have rub marks. I think most common is over the axle rubbing on the control arms.

Could have used locktite on the set screw too to hold it better and not be as permenant as a weld.

[Sub-Zero]

I looked under the car yesterday and it turns out I was actually missing one of those screws! So the tips were pretty loose and when I'd go over a bump or whatever, one side banged around and made noise. Went to Home Depot, bought new screws, screwed them in with some Loctite and sleeved the "prongs" with some vinyl tubing and guess what... no more noise!
Makes driving my Mach fun again!

[Explosive]

I have a slight vibration/rattle from a tailpipe under very light acceleration. I think a tip is vibrating on the steel rod that holds it.

[Sub-Zero]

Originally Posted by Explosive

I have a slight vibration/rattle from a tailpipe under very light acceleration. I think a tip is vibrating on the steel rod that holds it.

I had the same problem. I put vinyl tubing around the exposed parts of the steel rod and it stopped the rattle. The vinyl kind of acts as a cushion!

[Explosive]

Originally Posted by Sub-Zero

I had the same problem. I put vinyl tubing around the exposed parts of the steel rod and it stopped the rattle. The vinyl kind of acts as a cushion!

Glad to hear I'm not the first. I'll have to look into it.