Miata Mailing List: February 1997, Message #38
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   From: (none)

Subject: Re: FW: Heat shield rattle redux

   Date: (none)



>Is this vibration at about 3750 and sounds like bees in a beer can??

>If so I've got the same thing and its quite annoying. I'll follow this

>thread to see what the result is.





I sent this privately to the first poster, since there are others with the

same problem, I'll post it here for all.



This was written for a non-mechanically inclined person who wanted to try

fixing some of the small things herself.  It worked for her, so it should

work for you.



______________________

The fix is really simple, and *anyone* can do it.



1.  Put the front of the car up on jackstands or ramps, or if you don't

have those, straddle a ditch.  You need to be able to slide under the car

to get at the point where the header and exhaust pipe meet.



2.  Get a stainless steel hose clamp, the type that can be tightened with

either a screwdriver or a socket.  You want one sized for a 2 1/2" hose.



3.  Get a correct size socket, extension and ratchet, preferably with a

1/4" drive.



4.  Let the engine cool enough so you can touch the exhaust pipe without

getting burned.



5.  Slide under the car, open the hose clamp all the way until it no longer

is connected at the screw clamp.



6.  Find the header/exhaust joint, up under the rear of the engine.  Slip

the clamp around the pipe and engage the screw to the end of the clamp.

Turn the screw until most of the slack is taken up.



7.  Position the clamp around the uppermost end of the heat shield where it

is spot welded to the pipe.  Tighten the clamp firmly.



8.  Get out from under the car, get it down off the stands, ramp, whatever.



9.  Drive the car and enjoy the lack of noise.



10.  Reach around and pat yourself on the back and say "good job".



Skip Cannon