So I decided to replace my rusting out exhaust system and replace it with one I found on eBay brand new. (yes, I understand you get what you pay for) It is an aftermarket system and they decided to use a larger diameter catalytic converters for both of the engine banks. The front one fits just fine, but the rear one is rubbing on my swaybar. It’s vibrating and annoying the hell out of me. I went to an exhaust shop and they said they couldn’t do anything with it. So I’m looking for ideas. I thought about heating up the sway bar and trying to bend it a little bit. But that appears to be a 50-50 debate on whether or not it compromises the integrity of the swaybar. Obviously I cannot dent the catalytic converter because it across the honeycomb inside. I was thinking of putting in an intermediate pipe on the two bolt flange that would have a “S” to it that would rise it up. I also thought about wrapping it in exhaust tape just to cushion it so maybe it does it make as much noise. Any suggestions?

Just an FYI, I recently replaced the rear and passenger side motor mounts, so that raised the motor up a little bit. I cannot seem to find the driver side one or front one, perhaps that would help make a difference. I also cannot return it, it has been installed and used they will not except it.

 

What vehicle/engine........?

 

sorry about that, it’s been a while since I posted. 2003 all-wheel-drive 3.0 VUE

 

I would move the exhaust, if you heat the sway bar enough to get clearance it will not resist sway any more. You might shim the sway bar mounts to get clearance.

 

is there such a thing as shimming it lower? I thought about getting a bracket to offset the brackets, but I don’t know that there’s enough clearance around it. But I appreciate the idea, I’ll do some research on that.

 

Could just torch the exhaust and bend it more. Or delete the cats.

 

Because of the flex pipe and design, it’s not really torchable. I don’t want to remove the cats, it was part of the reason I installed new ones. LOL.