Author Topic: Transmission Exhaust Bracket (Read 5237 times)

e30Andym42 · « **on:** November 14, 2010, 11:29:08 PM »

I have finally determined that the muffler bracket hitting the drivers side of my car is the source of (what sounded like) a terrifying noise. I've had this for years, and it's time to put an end to it.

Clearly the exhaust moved around too much. The transmission exhaust bracket was busted due to rust or whatever when I got the car a while back, and I tossed it after what was left of it started rattling against the exhaust.

I researched this and finally found it on realoem
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=18_0161&hg=18&fg=10

I find it hard to understand what I need. I put a bunch of it in a cart on pelicanparts.com, then I realized I was lost. The quantities on realoem confused me. I do not see, for instance, four of #11 in the diagram.

If I should order all of the quantities the diagram suggests, I will. However, I will then be lost in assembling this beast as there are no diy's I am aware of.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Andy

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2010, 08:02:25 PM »

Mine rusted off too. I just pulled it off the pipe, unbolted it from the transmission & left the pipe hanging there. It's been like that for a year with no ill effects. Mine rattles like the devil when it's cold from a loose front heat shield. I'll get it welded one of these days.

e30Andym42 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2010, 08:59:06 PM »

Thanks for the response!

Strange, because I did the same thing, and the muffler bracket hits my car...

Guess I'm just unlucky. Maybe the rubber hanger thing is going bad or something. IDK. Something needs to be done so I can take some corners again

If nothing else, I'll hit up the dealer this weekend, and see if/how they can help me. I'm just stuck at college and trying to gather information and parts while my car sits.

Still very interested in any insight. Thank you

DesktopDave · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2010, 09:59:10 PM »

I noticed that after I lowered the rear exhaust for a diff swap it bolted back in a different place. I had to loosen the rear muffler clamps a few times and use a jack to get it back together at all. After I was done I noted that the exhaust pipe was banging into the rear facia panel. It took me a bit of head-scratching/prying/banging around to get it close...the muffler can be twisted in the clamps to make the middle section pipe shift a bit. I'll bet that if you loosened the muffler clamps you could adjust it a bit so that it's not banging on the body.

It's almost like the the rear exhaust was designed with a bit of slop so that it can be re-aligned by shifting the rear muffler clamps and the rear subframe hangar. I got mine close, but it's not perfect. Maybe yours could work with the same treatment?

e30Andym42 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2010, 12:59:25 PM »

I'll take a look when I get back to her this weekend. I had no idea you could move these things about. I'll check it out and see if I can't move that sucker further away from the wheel well or something. Pics will likely follow + maybe a video of the current problem before I try anything. Thanks a lot Dave, much appreciated.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2010, 03:38:13 PM »

I didn't think so either. But it definitely didn't go back on the way it came off. I'm sure you have a bit of wiggle room. Mine is OEM BMW too.

e30Andym42 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2010, 07:07:07 PM »

Sorry for the delay. Couldn't make it home for the weekend.

Pics of the contacting area:

The hose was a temporary diagnostic solution

Muffler hanger connection:

Next hanger down the line (kinda worn):

Missing exhaust bracket here:

And a video of what's happening (couldn't drive to show the noise when driving cuz it's off the road atm)

DesktopDave · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2010, 07:19:18 PM »

Yeah, I'll bet you could bend that a little to get it right. The muffler straps can be tweaked, especially at the top where they attached to their rubber doughnuts. The rear subframe hangar (with the shot rubber doughnut) is bolted on and can be adjusted...it slides up & down to give a bit more flexibility.

e30Andym42 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2010, 07:25:58 PM »

When the sun's out, I'll be sure to adjust what I can adjust!

Thanks a lot!

e30Andym42 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2010, 04:43:58 PM »

I'm not seeing any adjustability. The hangers appear to be welded in place, and then they attach to the doughnuts, and the bracket. Hard to see without dropping the exhaust...Or maybe I'm blind.

I did notice that the rubber doughnut in the second last picture is not actually doing any supporting. Maybe if I replace that, and go to the dealer for help with the tranny hanger, and get that, then that may solve my problem..

DesktopDave · « **Reply #10 on:** November 24, 2010, 06:41:18 PM »

They're not adjustable in the conventional sense. I just bend or tweak them a bit to fit the purpose with some large channel lock pliers or a vice. A judicious bit of bending here & there will make them perform as designed.

In your case, I'll bet that defunct subframe hangar is twisting the system out a bit, letting it rub the body.

e30Andym42 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 25, 2010, 10:51:18 AM »

Duh... Okay, I'll attack the bracket with some vicegrips when it's not raining. That should solve it. Thanks a lot!

Happy Thanksgiving!