Cabin rattle after midpipe

[michaelalex17]

Hey ll so I got the AA midpipe installed an I love the sound. I got the AA brace because I saw some people complained of a rattling sound when the pipe touched the bracket. I don't believe that is what I am experiencing, but ever since getting the pipe installed I have a rattle/vibration coming from somewhere in the cabin. I'm sure that the slight increase in vibration from removing the resonator/secondary cat is causing additional vibration in the car but I can't pinpoint where the sound is coming from. Anyone have a similar issue after an exhaust install and have any specific place in the car I should add felt tape or something. Thanks!

[datninja]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

Hey ll so I got the AA midpipe installed an I love the sound. I got the AA bracket because I saw some people complained of a rattling sound when the pipe touched the bracket. I don't believe that is what I am experiencing, but ever since getting the pipe installed I have a rattle/vibration coming from somewhere in the cabin. I'm sure that the slight increase in vibration from removing the resonator/secondary cat is causing additional vibration in the car but I can't pinpoint where the sound is coming from. Anyone have a similar issue after an exhaust install and have any specific place in the car I should add felt tape or something. Thanks!

Search "DIY rattle fix", should fix most of your rattles from the interior at least.

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by datninja

Search "DIY rattle fix", should fix most of your rattles from the interior at least.

Thanks I feel like most of those rattled are caused from heat expansion causing plastics to touch. This is specific to having more vibration from an aftermarket exhaust. Maybe rattle isn't the right word it's more of a hum / vibration.

Wasn't sure if there is a known culprit on this car. For example on the E92 when people would get aftermarket exhausts the trick was to put a hand towel in the sliding tray in between the two rear seats since that would vibrate.

Thank you

[Tommy L Garage]

I just fixed the issue this weekend.
Did you get new grease rings when you did the midpipe? They’re one time use and you need a new set every time you swap exhausts.

I did a DIY video that I’m editing. Comes out this Sunday and will solve all your issues.

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

I just fixed the issue this weekend.
Did you get new grease rings when you did the midpipe? They’re one time use and you need a new set every time you swap exhausts.

I did a DIY video that I’m editing. Comes out this Sunday and will solve all your issues.

Not sure since I got it done at a shop. In your video is there a clip of what the sound sounds like so I can tell if it's the same issue I have?

Thank you

[Tommy L Garage]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

Not sure since I got it done at a shop. In your video is there a clip of what the sound sounds like so I can tell if it's the same issue I have?

Thank you

45 second mark

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

45 second mark

Thanks for sharing. Will double check later but don't think that's it's. I don't believe I have any rattle when revving it l. I believe that I only hear this noise when I'm driving. Under heavy load in a high gear seems to make it most pronounced because that's when I have the most vibration in the cabin

[MrSmartyPants]

AA pipe is close to the tunnel as it transitions to the side. The bolts are also long at the connection to the pipes that go around the diff. They could be hitting the heat shield, I cut them back. Also the pipes can come really close to the back of the diff/diff mount.

It really requires some adjustment to get it right.

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by MrSmartyPants

AA pipe is close to the tunnel as it transitions to the side. The bolts are also long at the connection to the pipes that go around the diff. They could be hitting the heat shield, I cut them back. Also the pipes can come really close to the back of the diff/diff mount.

It really requires some adjustment to get it right.

Interesting. Do you have an audio clip of what that sounds like? I really thought the noise was coming from inside the cabin but maybe it's not. Is this something that would be present only under driving? Again I don't think I have any noise when just sitting and revving it.

[MrSmartyPants]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

Interesting. Do you have an audio clip of what that sounds like? I really thought the noise was coming from inside the cabin but maybe it's not. Is this something that would be present only under driving? Again I don't think I have any noise when just sitting and revving it.

No video. Just have to get under the car and take a peek.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I always recommend getting the AA brace with the midpipe

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I always recommend getting the AA brace with the midpipe

Per my original post I got the brace since I was trying to avoid annoying rattling noises after getting the midpipe installed...

I'm going to try to rev it in place tomorrow to see if I get any rattling. I really thought this noise was a cabin vibration but it's tough to tell. I would also add that the noise in getting definitely doesn't seem as pronounced as the one Tommy had not does it seem to always happen which again led me to believe it was something in the car.

[zorrro]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

Per my original post I got the brace since I was trying to avoid annoying rattling noises after getting the midpipe installed...

I'm going to try to rev it in place tomorrow to see if I get any rattling. I really thought this noise was a cabin vibration but it's tough to tell. I would also add that the noise in getting definitely doesn't seem as pronounced as the one Tommy had not does it seem to always happen which again led me to believe it was something in the car.

Is the rattle at all times? I have AA midpipe and lately I get an annoying rattle but only during warmup phase and then it goes away. Been meaning to scour the DIY post but haven't gotten around to it.

I wish I could recall if the rattle started right after AA midpipe install but pretty sure it wasn't present before.

[Tommy L Garage]

Originally Posted by zorrro

Is the rattle at all times? I have AA midpipe and lately I get an annoying rattle but only during warmup phase and then it goes away. Been meaning to scour the DIY post but haven't gotten around to it.

I wish I could recall if the rattle started right after AA midpipe install but pretty sure it wasn't present before.

I know what it is. Sunday I’ll have more info for the community.
It’s an overlooked problem that is easy to fix

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

I know what it is. Sunday I’ll have more info for the community.
It’s an overlooked problem that is easy to fix

My rattle is definitely not at all times and is only under load while moving not when revving. Mine isn't really a rattle it's more of a hum/vibration

[Tommy L Garage]

As promised - Here is my rattle fix

[ellipsis212]

If there's any chance the midpipe is touching the brace during operation it may be worthwhile to loosen your exhaust, wedge something between the pipe and the brace to ensure clearance, then tighten.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by ellipsis212

If there's any chance the midpipe is touching the brace during operation it may be worthwhile to loosen your exhaust, wedge something between the pipe and the brace to ensure clearance, then tighten.

+1

[whoismorggan]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

As promised - Here is my rattle fix

Thanks for this, Tommy! I recently installed Zima downpipes on my own earlier in the week and I reused the OEM gaskets and am hearing a terrible rattle.