AA mid pipe rattle

[jwoo]

I could use some help. I just installed my AA mid pipe, since then I get a rattle or a low frequency buzzing sound when driving at low rpm.

When I installed it, i pit a paint stir stick between the mid pipe and center brace before tightening down on the ball clamps. After everything was aligned, i removed the paint stir sticks.

As you can see from the pic, there is some clearance. But i'm not convinced that it's the source of the rattling or not. Any insights would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[schnell1982]

You might need to add some washers to the bolts on the brace to bring it down a little bit. Seems to be a common fix on the various aftermarket exhausts.

[MMMCOOKIES55]

Washers didn't help me, I had to take the brace off completely

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by MMMCOOKIES55

Washers didn't help me, I had to take the brace off completely

Modify the brace! Or re-fit the midpipe. Had a similar issue with the AWE

[qmp]

AA has a replacement brace that's a direct fit and provides plenty of clearance. Contact Andrew@activeautowerke

[MMMCOOKIES55]

Tried everything, still hit.

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by qmp

AA has a replacement brace that's a direct fit and provides plenty of clearance. Contact Andrew@activeautowerke

That's cool! I may need one of those if my Meistershaft single mid does the same!

[MMMCOOKIES55]

Originally Posted by qmp

AA has a replacement brace that's a direct fit and provides plenty of clearance. Contact Andrew@activeautowerke

Oh nice

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by qmp

AA has a replacement brace that's a direct fit and provides plenty of clearance. Contact Andrew@activeautowerke

Thanks!

[Lee808]

Be sure to report back!

[qmp]

Does add a few ounce of weight compare to stock brace. There was an option to have the AA logo water jet cut but I couldn't wait for the custom job. I had them over night the brace to me.That rattle was driving me nuts.

[PayamFSU]

Originally Posted by qmp

Does add a few ounce of weight compare to stock brace. There was an option to have the AA logo water jet cut but I couldn't wait for the custom job. I had them over night the brace to me.That rattle was driving me nuts.

How much was it ?

[qmp]

Originally Posted by PayamFSU

How much was it ?

Paid $110 but that's with overnight shipping. If I remember correctly brace was $80

[dut]

Luckily on mine (I know all cars are different) adding washers provided enough clearance. I forgot the thickness of the spacers, maybe 1/4"?

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by dut

Luckily on mine (I know all cars are different) adding washers provided enough clearance. I forgot the thickness of the spacers, maybe 1/4"?

Yes, that’s what my two midpipes needed.

[MrSmartyPants]

Originally Posted by RoadRunner///M

No rattle. When installing you place a wooden block between the brace and the pipe while tightening everything up.

How thick should the wood block be? 1 inch?

[jwoo]

Originally Posted by RoadRunner///M

This was from AA instructions

I did this too with no luck. except I used two paint stir sticks stacked on top of eachother. I'll try the washer thing tonight. I'll build it up another 1/4".

[jwoo]

So I added another 1/4" and checked everything over very well. I didn't see where there could be any metal to metal contact points on the exhaust system. Thinking I solved the issue, I took it for a test drive and the rattle is still there.

The rattle is more like a buzzing sound, only audible at low rpms or during a slow acceleration. It wasn't there before I added the mid pipe. rattles kill me...

What am I missing? Could it be coming from the downpipe to mid pipe connection? Could there be debris in the mid pipe that got trapped when I installed it?

please help...

[qmp]

Originally Posted by jwoo

So I added another 1/4" and checked everything over very well. I didn't see where there could be any metal to metal contact points on the exhaust system. Thinking I solved the issue, I took it for a test drive and the rattle is still there.

The rattle is more like a buzzing sound, only audible at low rpms or during a slow acceleration. It wasn't there before I added the mid pipe. rattles kill me...

What am I missing? Could it be coming from the downpipe to mid pipe connection? Could there be debris in the mid pipe that got trapped when I installed it?

please help...

I'm guessing that a small debris would not remind in the midpipe section for long. Larger debris would've been notice during install. 2 o-ring gaskets at the DP/ midpipe connection point could have broken off in to pieces. Check to see if a small rock chip didn't get lodge into the exhaust heat shield. Aftermarket DP touching the control arms is another common clearance area and the noise is only present during certain rpm.

[jwoo]

Originally Posted by qmp

I'm guessing that a small debris would not remind in the midpipe section for long. Larger debris would've been notice during install. 2 o-ring gaskets at the DP/ midpipe connection point could have broken off in to pieces. Check to see if a small rock chip didn't get lodge into the exhaust heat shield. Aftermarket DP touching the control arms is another common clearance area and the noise is only present during certain rpm.

I have stock downpipe. should I readjust the mid pipe? is there any way to adjust the alignment of the downpipe?

ever heard of the wastegate rattle? I wonder if I notice it now because my exhaust is louder?

[dut]

If you want to eliminate the brace from being the problem, just test drive it with the brace removed.

[BoxKing]

Originally Posted by dut

If you want to eliminate the brace from being the problem, just test drive it with the brace removed.

Genius!