GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
    • The exhaust system (including the catalytic converter heat shield) must be free of the following:
      • Leaks
      • Binding
      • Grounding
      • Excessive vibration
    • These conditions may occur if any of the following components are loose or damaged:
      • Flange bolts or flange nuts
      • Heat shield
      • Brackets
      • Pipes
      • Align and/or replace any defective components.
      • Inspect the exhaust system for the following conditions:

Cracks

  1. Inspect the following areas for cracks:
  2. • Seals or gaskets
    • Exhaust hanger insulators
    • Three-way catalytic converter
    • Exhaust pipe
    • Tail pipe
  3. Inspect the connections for stripped bolt heads
  4. Inspect the fasteners for corroded bolt threads.
  5. If any of these conditions exist, check the exhaust system component alignment. Align as necessary. Replace as necessary.

Rust

  1. Inspect the following components for rust:
  2. • Exhaust manifolds
    • Exhaust system sealing surfaces
    • Three-way catalytic converter
    • Exhaust pipe
    • Exhaust system brackets
    • Exhaust muffler
    • Tail pipe
  3. If any of these conditions exist, replace as necessary.

Broken Welds

  1. Inspect the following for broken welds:
  2. • Three-way catalytic converter
    • Exhaust system flanges
    • Exhaust pipe
    • Exhaust system bracket
    • Exhaust muffler
    • Tail pipe
  3. If any of these conditions exist, replace as necessary.

Clamps

Important: The clamp must be aligned properly in order to eliminate contact with the underbody or other components.

  1. Make sure the clamp is installed properly.
  2. Inspect the clamp for the following conditions:
  3. • Loose nut(s)
    • Stripped nut(s)
    • Broken components
    • Corrosion that could lead to clamp failure
  4. If any of these conditions exist, replace as necessary.

Hangers

  1. Inspect the hangers for the following conditions:
  2. • Broken welds
    • Cracks
    • Rust
  3. Inspect the fasteners for the following conditions:
  4. • Stripped bolt heads
    • Rusted bolt threads
  5. If any of these conditions exist, check the exhaust system alignment. Align as necessary. Replace as necessary.