Exhaust mounts have a fairly simple job. They hold the exhaust in position while allowing enough movement for the system to deal with engine vibration, bumps and temperature changes. Simple! But when one starts wearing out, the first sign is often a noise rather than anything dramatic.
You might hear a metallic rattle from underneath the car when pulling away, especially over rough roads. The exhaust can also start sitting slightly lower than it should. We sometimes see a tired rubber mount stretched almost sideways because the exhaust has started hanging from the remaining mounts rather than being properly supported.
A little movement is normal. Excessive movement is not. If the tailpipe is visibly bouncing around when the engine is started or the system knocks against the underside of the car, the mounts are worth checking before something else gets damaged.
Common exhaust mount signs to look for
There are a few things that tend to give worn mounts away:
- Rattling or knocking: Often most noticeable at idle, when pulling away or over speed bumps
- Visible sagging: The exhaust may sit lower than normal or look slightly off-centre
- Excessive movement: A quick look underneath can show the system moving far more than it should
Worn mounts can become more obvious after fitting a new exhaust too. A newer system may be heavier or simply sit differently from the old one, exposing a mount that was already on its way out. It is a bit like changing one part and suddenly noticing another problem that was hiding nearby.
For anyone replacing an exhaust, it is worth checking the mounts while everything is accessible. Piper offers a range of Powerflex fitting kits which can provide a more robust mounting solution for suitable applications.
Replacing worn mounts before they cause trouble
A failing mount is not usually something to ignore for months. Once the exhaust starts moving too much, the stress gets transferred to other parts of the system. That can mean extra strain around joints, hangers or flanges. Eventually you may end up chasing a rattle that started with one small rubber mount.
The correct replacement depends on the vehicle plus the exhaust being fitted. Our exhaust systems are available for a wide range of applications with individual fitting kits also available where needed. Some systems even have dedicated Powerflex fitting kits for specific applications.
It is worth checking everything while the car is on the ramp. A cracked mount, stretched rubber or badly positioned hanger is much easier to sort before the new exhaust is fully tightened up. Sometimes the small job is the one that saves having to take the system apart again later.
