Dangling muffler; what to do?

So I had my muffler on my 97 Honda Civic replaced almost two years ago
by a Midas or someplace, and it looks like I'm paying the price. Tonight
on my way home from work the thing totally fell off the bottom of my car
and I had to drive with it dragging for a little bit. It's now parked in
my driveway, the muffler resting wonderfully against the asphalt.

Obviously I need to get it repaired (or at least remounted, but it's
been noisy lately so I'm electing having it replaced). This time, I'm
thinking I should bite the bullet and pay the $200+ to have the Honda
dealer do the work. Anyways, the car cannot be driven without the
muffler getting dragged, and the nearest dealership is a few miles away.
So, does anyone have any suggestions on how I should go about
mounting/attaching the muffler back to my car at least to make the drive
over there? I'm mechanically inclined, but haven't had to do any heavy
duty work on cars, but I think I can hack it...

Also, how are mufflers on a Civic usually mounted? Welded or bolted? Two
years seems like a hell of a short time for a muffler to get so jacked
it literally falls off the car; are there any driving habits that might
have contributed to me speeding up the process or anything? Hehehe....

TIA.

-Mitleid

 

My muffler is hooked on, via rubber bushings, get under and have a look.
Dan

 

Fascinating...

Any chance you could direct me to a resource online where I could take
a gander at what a bushing looks like? Possibly even order some if I'm
up to the task...

And as far as repairing it myself goes, does the fact that the muffler
fell off the car completely mean that it's pretty much done and any
prolonged driving with it on will damage my exhaust system? Or, would
it be safe to assume that if I get it back on, and hear no ugly noises
while running or in operation, I could leave things that way at least
until I have the spare cash to pay the dealer to repair it?

TIA

 

hey buddy which one is it dangling or completly come off?

 

What to do? Did Midas guarantee the muffler? Whatever they did, it
now is probably a modification to the Honda part, and Honda parts
probably won't fit now.
As an aside, I bought a Honda replacement muffler for my '92 Accord
when the original gave out. It was guaranteed for as long as I owned the
car. I have gotten four free ones since then. bob

 

NEVER go to a dealer for that kind of work, they will really bend you over.
Take it back to Midas and it will probably be a $25 fix if it is just
dangling. Just use a wire coat hanger and bend it around the pipe and look
for a place to hook it. That will get you to the muffler shop.

 

Midas mufflers are only suppsed to last a couple of years. Midas is good if
all you need to do is get the car through a winter cheaply, but no good if
you want to fix it and forget it.

If it's dangling, you MAY be able to hang it back up again with coat-hanger
wire, depending on where the break is. Get down and have a look underneath.
It should be pretty plain how to fix it.

Bringing it to the dealer to have a proper OEM system installed is an
excellent idea. The OEM system will cost you more initially, but will go
five to seven years with no trouble. And the new OEM muffler will be
"guaranteed for life", just like Midas, so it costs you labor-only to
replace when it finally goes.

 

Why not? dealer offers lifetime warranty on muffler work (parts and labor).

 

labor).


I believe Midas does also, and it's probably 1/2 the price.

 

return to midas or whereever you wimpy ass ninny

tie it up with a coat hanger till ya get there

damn you people as so stupid
can any of you pour piss out of a boot?

 

lifetime warranty and 10 times the cost, no thanks

 

I suspect that Midas cuts the pipes and uses U-clamps to fit generic
mufflers,instead of having an exact fit replacement part that bolts in.


I wonder if going to AutoZone or PepBoys would get you something that fits
same as an OEM part,but costs less?

 

Not in my experience--I've had original factory mufflers replaced by
Midas on 3 different make cars in last 5-6 years. Each replacement was
identical to the original in size, shape and mounting method. I know
this because I stood there in the shop area watching each one (I've
become slightly paranoid lately)

Ken

 

That is very interesting to know. Thanks!
(I'm surprised they allowed you to be in the shop area;insurance reasons)

 

I've been watching mechanics work on my vehicles for years. I'm right under
the car with them while the vehicle is up on the lift (it's an excellent
time to inspect the floor pan, and all of the running gear while I'm there).

Brian

 

If they allow you.Many places insurance will not permit it.

 

And 1/2 the lifetime.

OEM is best.

 

You haven't actually checked, have you? Didn't think so.

 

Midas offers free replacement as long as you own the car (recalling the
commercials with Jack Benny). My daughter's 93 Accord needed a new battery
soon after I bought it - left it sitting too long without running or
charging - and Midas said there was no warranty on the months-old battery
because I wasn't the owner when they sold it. Huh. I threw out a big stack
of receipts I got with the car, I'll tell you.

Mike

 

It would be a hell of a lot more.. A honda "certified tech" to replace a
muffler...****...