inspectedthe truck yesterday and my exhaust pipes and hangers, are so rusted they look 100 years old. i know the salt theory is possible but i owned a 97 ranger and its exhaust never corroded, in 13 years. and this is a 5 year old truck. it seems even weirder that in some places its just the hangers. these are factory installed flowmasters and of course the warranty on them ran out. here are pics https://picasaweb.google.com/dwphill...TA&feat=email#


what u all think? bad install? shady workmanship? or just bad luck?

thanks

 

It could be the type metal these used for the hangers plus the welds. Any weld (other than true stainless) should be protected from the elements with some sort of paint or something.

 

hmm good point, looks like most was clamped on, its a factory installed flowmaster duals. jegs has a new stainless steel set for 513 dollars but i dont wanna have to buy a whole set. i need to recheck the muffler though make sure theirs no holes in that too.

 

I had a guy at a exh shop supply and weld all my pipes for 300. Maybe you should check around? I supplied my own mufflers and tips though

 

The factory never put Flowmasters on anything.

 

well i guess the dealer did. bought the truck new and it had them on it. i got a quote to put new pipes on for $200. now i just need to decide if its a better investment to pay for new pipes that are just like the old ones for 200, or pay for a new system for 530 thats stainless, has a longer warranty and will last longer. ans it now seems i might have a bearing problem in my fron wheels....ugh

 

Get the bearing hub assemblies on ebay for about 100 shipped

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...item3f07dae1a2

decent price. whats the normal life of these bearings?

 

I would guess that depends on change along with how much stress you put on them with lifts and bigger tires, ect.

 

Yep, ain't no FACTORY Flowmasters on anything. And at 5 years with Flowmasters in a salt state, you are WAY ahead of most. I couldn't get that long out of my Flowmaster in the south!

I have since learned just how poorly these mufflers are made, there CFM rate is among the worst in the industry and they rust in no time. They sound good though.

Get you a muffler with a better CFM rate for performance and made out of something other than just a mild steel.

As for the hangers, they make stainless ones. I replaced all of mine with them a couple of years ago with ones that are basically just a stainless "J" style hook that are welded on. Still look like new.

Exhausts are cake to do yourself, even if you can't weld, there are some good bolt on alternatives out there.