What would cause an exhaust to start rattling?
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 68
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2007 C280
What would cause an exhaust to start rattling?
2007 CLK550 cabriolet with 44k miles. Over the past several weeks it developed a rattle from under the car. At first it would only rattle when it rained or going through puddles (yes...I know this sounds weird but I confirmed it). It then progressed to a rattle when hitting a bump. It has now progressed to almost constant.
I have determined where the rattle is likely coming from:
Spot A: Where my dual exhaust tips exit the rear bumper cover it it hitting against the left side of the opening. On cold mornings (we have been -10 degrees here) I can here it rattle and if I step on the tip and push it away from the left side of the cover the noise stops.
Spot B: Under the car approximately under the rear seat area there is a diagonal brace that goes from the center of the car towards the left side. The exhaust bends here and goes over this brace. I can see a slight rub mark on the exhaust at this location
I went under the car this weekend ( it is COLD!) and tried pushing the exhaust over to the right. It moved a little and the noise was gone temporarily but it came back. I also tried to bend the support brace a bit but I am not sure if that helped or not. I checked the mounts at the rear near the muffler and they are intact.
My question is what could have cause the exhaust to move? There is no impact damage visible. I can't see anywhere to really adjust it. I need to move the muffler over in the bumper cover opening and rotate the pipe slightly upwards to add clearance from the brace. The only flanges I see are about mid way of the car and I don't know it they are flanges that are fixed or if they would allow some rotational movement.
Thoughts?
My question is what
I have determined where the rattle is likely coming from:
Spot A: Where my dual exhaust tips exit the rear bumper cover it it hitting against the left side of the opening. On cold mornings (we have been -10 degrees here) I can here it rattle and if I step on the tip and push it away from the left side of the cover the noise stops.
Spot B: Under the car approximately under the rear seat area there is a diagonal brace that goes from the center of the car towards the left side. The exhaust bends here and goes over this brace. I can see a slight rub mark on the exhaust at this location
I went under the car this weekend ( it is COLD!) and tried pushing the exhaust over to the right. It moved a little and the noise was gone temporarily but it came back. I also tried to bend the support brace a bit but I am not sure if that helped or not. I checked the mounts at the rear near the muffler and they are intact.
My question is what could have cause the exhaust to move? There is no impact damage visible. I can't see anywhere to really adjust it. I need to move the muffler over in the bumper cover opening and rotate the pipe slightly upwards to add clearance from the brace. The only flanges I see are about mid way of the car and I don't know it they are flanges that are fixed or if they would allow some rotational movement.
Thoughts?
My question is what
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 61
From: Atlanta Metro
2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
I don't know the underbelly of the C280, but the 550 has adjustments for the exhaust located on each side about 1/3 the distance from the collector/downpipe toward the channel. The exhaust pipes are connected to the frame there with a couple of bolts/nuts through a slotted flange, securing it to the frame. Check there and see if the nuts are tight. You can adjust the exhaust position a bit there.
