Auto Mechanics Advice Needed
 

I'm going through my 3rd muffler in a year on a 2003 Toyota Tacoma. I've replaced all of three of them as close to the engine (I'm not a big mechanic I'm sorry don't know the term) as possible. Could this have somthing to do with the high elevation I live in? The engine is stock so there's no extra pressure being put through it. I could understand a bad weld job on one but this is becoming a habit.

Any idea what the hell could be causing this?

This is what the replacements looked like:

http://www.carid.com/2003-toyota-tac...m-7787271.html

The biggest pain in the ass is getting those supports through the rubber rings.

How are they failing?

The welds are giving on the muffler. Literally cracking open like there's too much pressure.

Find a different muffler shop that knows what they are doing?

And you are replacing everything from the bolted flange after the converter to the end of the tailpipe just like in the picture?

What exactly do you mean welds failed? How? Does the muffler look swollen up or normal size? How is your gas mileage?

My guess would be, not pressure but tension on the hangers, they cut the pipes to short to begin with and it's not allowing for vibration, thus busting the weld. Find a new shop.

Not enough antifreeze

Yep, didn't soak the muffler bearings in antifreeze.

Is the engine okay? Does it backfire?

Bear with me here, as I mentioned I'm not exactly a mechanic.

The thick part of the muffler, the widest piece in the picture, the welds fail. They crack open. If I'm not mistaken I'm attachaing it to the catalytic coverter. Yes, I'm sure of that. It's being attatched to the catalytic coverter.

And yes, the muffler does look swollen like there's just too much pressure being passed through it.

I honestly have no idea what a bolted flange is.

I am the the shop. Doing it myself which may be part of the problem. Not allowing room for vibration is a good start. I basiclly muscle the rubbers on.

No, the engine is golden stock. No backfires, it purrs like a kitten.

I'm not a professional, but I just don't see how this could be the problem at all.

How could vibration cause muffler welds to fail?

2 or 4x4?

4 or v6?

[/quote]I am the the shop. Doing it myself which may be part of the problem. Not allowing room for vibration is a good start. I basiclly muscle the rubbers on.[/quote]