Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview

Inspect the exhaust resonator pipe and the exhaust muffler with exhaust pipe and tail pipe for the following conditions:
- Cracked joints
- Broken welds
- Corrosion damage
Inspect any clamps, the brackets, and the insulators for the following conditions:
- Broken bolts
- Stripped bolt threads
- Corroded bolts
The exhaust system (including the heat shield) must be free of the following conditions:
- Leaks
- Binding
- Grounding
- Excessive vibration
These conditions may occur if any of the following components are loose or damaged:
- Flange bolts or flange nuts
- Heat shields
- Brackets
- Pipes
If any of these conditions exist, inspect the exhaust system alignment. Align and replace any components necessary, including new manifold seals, nuts, and gaskets.