'04 vxr wortec rear exhaust hangars

[FizzysCar]

Hi All,

Been trying to investigate some knocking coming from rear left of the car, and thought the exhaust pipes were a bit close to the bumper on one side. Tried undoing the bolts on the side holding the exhaust hangar brackets - and they just sheared off.

I currently have no rear support on the exhaust. Has anybody else had this issue and how did you get around it?

Checking things over it looks like a small piece of metal has had a bolt put through it and welded, then the plate welded onto the side of the exhaust. In order the repair that it would need to be cut off and new bolts/plates welded on. Seems a bit of an odd way to do it - why not just weld on hangers direct?

Looks like I'm going to have to try to get the rear section off - last time I removed the joining brackets I couldn't get the exhaust to seperate. Better look out for new gaskets too then if needed.

May see if there any form of exhaust strap and hangers I can use..... temp fix has been to use a few loops of wire around exhaust and the car side support brackets for a bit of support and if the centre rubber hangars fail.

[vxr2010]

Take it to an exhaust building shop and see what they can do , on mine the rubber bushes went that was sorted via ebay , it’s going to be very hard removing back box from the system

[vxr2010]

where are you based ?

[FizzysCar]

vxr2010 said:

where are you based ?

South wales.

[vxr2010]

i was not sure from your profile as it said uk , i will revert back to my original comment just find a good custom exhaust maker , probably quickest and easiest option

[dan mugglestone]

Had something similar happen to mine , I found it easier to take off the whole back section from the centre . ideally you need someone who can weld stainless steel and fix it back on .

[FizzysCar]

dan mugglestone said:

Had something similar happen to mine , I found it easier to take off the whole back section from the centre . ideally you need someone who can weld stainless steel and fix it back on .

Looking like the best course of action if I can find somebody reasonably local, as it's my daily driver.

Annoyingly after tieing it up do it's clear of bumper, and changing the ball joint on rear left I've still got the knocking. Springs and shocks changed not too long back as well so got to be a bush or something somewhere...

[monarodom]

FizzysCar said:

Looking like the best course of action if I can find somebody reasonably local, as it's my daily driver.

Annoyingly after tieing it up do it's clear of bumper, and changing the ball joint on rear left I've still got the knocking. Springs and shocks changed not too long back as well so got to be a bush or something somewhere...

How frequent is the knock and did it occur after the suspension changes?

[FizzysCar]

monarodom said:

How frequent is the knock and did it occur after the suspension changes?

It didn't happen straight after suspension changes. Changed front suspension and rear springs myself, and new disks and pads all around. Also changed the handbrake shoes and mechanism on left side since I had a heck of a time getting the old disc over them even when adjuster wound right in and pretty much wrecked them.

It's not directly related to bumps - seems more lateral movement than vertical and so suspect anti roll bar or bush somewhere on subframe? Most noticable over rough/uneven surfaces at low speed. It started happening after a bit of a nightmare trip to a garage, and they did a full wheel alignment and adjusted the rear. Also changed the rear shocks for me as I could undo the botton bolt but they were stuck in the suspension arm still.

Looking at the state of the boot on the left ball joint, I think they used a splitter on it and didn't bother sorting it out after (or tell me about it).

I suspected that might be it given all the grease had gone and boot pushed flat, but changing it over has made little difference. Having said that they made a mess of the brake line replacement too so could be something associated with that tapping, but doesn't sound "tinny" enough. Working through possibilities at the moment. Suspect a bush (or bushes) somewhere have been damaged but not sure where yet. At this rate I'll probably end up replacing the lot, although guess might be a subframe drop for that.

Seriously considering getting a runabout and taking it off the road. Had it for 8 years now, and it might even be time to let it go. Put a lot of cash into it this year to renew components and keep it roadworthy but things don't seem to have gone to plan.

Edited by FizzysCar on Sunday 13th October 21:47

[monarodom]

FizzysCar said:

It's not directly related to bumps - seems more lateral movement than vertical and so suspect anti roll bar or bush somewhere on subframe? Most noticable over rough/uneven surfaces at low speed. It started happening after a bit of a nightmare trip to a garage, and they did a full wheel alignment and adjusted the rear. Also changed the rear shocks for me as I could undo the botton bolt but they were stuck in the suspension arm still.

Edited by FizzysCar on Sunday 13th October 21:47

I have a feeling it could be the same thing I had when I replaced all of the suspension with Pedders last November. There was a noise from the rear end which drove me mad after a while as I could hear it on any surface which wasn't completely smooth. The noise didn't exist before the shocks were changed out. Subframe and all other bushes replaced, even had the spacers put in...yet no difference.

Eventually, after 6 months and many hours of searching online I found a post on here from someone who had something similar years ago. The rear shocks were too tight! I managed to slacken them off in the boot using 2 small wrenches (need a torque wrench ideally) and after the second attempt of trial and error to see just how much to loosen off, the noise disappeared.

The symptoms might not be exactly the same but it's worth a shot. I had similar feelings about letting the car go such was my rage at the noise by that point!

Before

After

[mfp4073]

monarodom said:

I have a feeling it could be the same thing I had when I replaced all of the suspension with Pedders last November. There was a noise from the rear end which drove me mad after a while as I could hear it on any surface which wasn't completely smooth. The noise didn't exist before the shocks were changed out. Subframe and all other bushes replaced, even had the spacers put in...yet no difference.

Eventually, after 6 months and many hours of searching online I found a post on here from someone who had something similar years ago. The rear shocks were too tight! I managed to slacken them off in the boot using 2 small wrenches (need a torque wrench ideally) and after the second attempt of trial and error to see just how much to loosen off, the noise disappeared.

The symptoms might not be exactly the same but it's worth a shot. I had similar feelings about letting the car go such was my rage at the noise by that point!

Before

After

I previously posted on this particular issue as I had a similar problem of knocking from the rear suspension after having changed the rear dampers.
This only happened at low speeds on any road that wasn't completely smooth.
The problem was the nuts on top of the damper which are located inside the boot were too tight.
Remove the nut, washer and top part of the rubber bush ( it's in two parts ) check to see that the bottom bush is seated correctly and doesn't allow the damper to make contact with the car body as it passes through the hole in the boot.
Replace the top bushing and washer, then as you thread the nut onto the damper carefully tighten it up to just 10lbs/ ft.
Most people just tighten these up until you can't turn the nut anymore and then they start to knock.

[FizzysCar]

Thanks guys - I did notice that the top nut seemed overtightened when I checked before, the bush looked like it was bulging.

I did slacken it off a bit, but will redo it and make sure lower bush seated correctly too.

I have bought some poly bushes for the top of the rear shocks - will they be too harsh/stiff for the pedders?

[mfp4073]

FizzysCar said:

Thanks guys - I did notice that the top nut seemed overtightened when I checked before, the bush looked like it was bulging.

I did slacken it off a bit, but will redo it and make sure lower bush seated correctly too.

I have bought some poly bushes for the top of the rear shocks - will they be too harsh/stiff for the pedders?

Over the winter I was going to do the same thing. I doubt that they will cause any issues, I've just about refitted my whole car with Pedders bits and pieces and so far I haven't had any problems with them.
Mind you over the years I've have had a few problems with other so called quality after market parts, in fact as a result of owning a Monaro I'm on first name terms with my therapist !!!!!!

[FizzysCar]

mfp4073 said:

Over the winter I was going to do the same thing. I doubt that they will cause any issues, I've just about refitted my whole car with Pedders bits and pieces and so far I haven't had any problems with them.
Mind you over the years I've have had a few problems with other so called quality after market parts, in fact as a result of owning a Monaro I'm on first name terms with my therapist !!!!!!

Been out and taken the nut off. Lower bush looks to be seated fine. Can't really use a torque wrench and socket since have to hold the top of the shaft with an adjustable spanner to stop it spinning. Tightened it up so it was just enough to stop the top washer spinning. Quick spin and it does seem better but hard to tell with all the rain noise, and my loose exhaust end now (although I can tell that's further back now the exhaust is catching the bumper on occasion).

Will know for sure on my usual drive in the morning. Fingers crossed that's all it was. At the very least going to have to get tracking redone again and exhaust sorted after my "remedial" work over the weekend.

I built complete new front struts (mostly pedders parts, took me a while to get everything and standard height springs) and changed those myself, and fitted pedders standard height springs on the rear. DBA disks all round and new pads. Rear shocks and braided hoses fitted when brake pipework was done - although might need to recheeck/redo those. Got rear calipers to fit too, and looks like the casing around the handbrake cable at nearside rear is starting to degrade so probably need to change those before long.

Had to replace water pump earlier in the year. It is starting to be a lot of work, so perhaps getting a runabout won't be such a bad idea anyway.

[FizzysCar]

After redoing the top nut on the rear shock, knocking has gone, or at least greatly reduced. Thanks for the tip!

Now just need to get the new issues created by the remedial work sorted - get tracking done and exhaust hangers sorted.

[mfp4073]

FizzysCar said:

After redoing the top nut on the rear shock, knocking has gone, or at least greatly reduced. Thanks for the tip!

Now just need to get the new issues created by the remedial work sorted - get tracking done and exhaust hangers sorted.

Glad it's fixed, it always feels good to get an annoying job sorted.

[monarodom]

mfp4073 said:

Glad it's fixed, it always feels good to get an annoying job sorted.

Seconded. John, you've now helped fix it for 2 of us

[mfp4073]

monarodom said:

Seconded. John, you've now helped fix it for 2 of us

Yes I do have my uses......very limited of course...according to Mrs mfp4073

John

[Lincsls1]

Oh yes John is top bloke!
Very good at helping me spend my money on the Ro!

[mfp4073]

Lincsls1 said:

Oh yes John is top bloke!
Very good at helping me spend my money on the Ro!

Ah the money I made you spend !!!!.......yes I admit we have both spent way too mush cash on these V8 dinosaurs.
But in all honesty we just got taken over by the " Dark side of the Force"
I often tell my Mrs it's really not my fault...im just a V8 victim :-)

John