2000 Pontiac Firebird Exhaust Rattle

2000 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
123,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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DMORROW7
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  • 2 POSTS
Ok. I believe this may be a very hard thing to describe but here goes nothing.
I have a rattle in exhaust, have gone to three exhaust shops and no one can figure it out. Shaking exhaust does nothing.
I do not hear any rattle noises while idling, park, etc...until i start driving BUT again i do not hear the noises until i let off the gas pedal and coast or start to press the brake then i hear the noise. It sounds like metal to metal contact. Again i only hear it rattle when i let off the gas, usually have to press the brake but i do hear it just coasting as well.
Dec 28, 2009 at 8:50 PM
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ERNEST CLARK
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,730 POSTS
Shaking the exhaust may not always duplicate a sound, even if there is a loose exhaust or object inside of the exhaust.

Has anyone suspected your converter. A lot of times, a part of the (Comb) inside the converter will break off and rattle as you drive.

Also, if you have a rusted/loose manifold flange, you can experience a rattle as the engine torques side to side. But if you shake the exhaust pipes, it may not be enough to make the rattle.

You can also have a loose baffle inside of the muffler. You can bang on the converter and muffler with a rubber mallet and try to find out if there's something floating around in there.
Jan 20, 2010 at 10:48 AM