
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Muffler Bracket Failure in Your Volkswagen
Volkswagens are a blend of power, high-performance, and the reliability of advanced German technology. Yet it is necessary to routinely perform maintenance and repairs to preserve performance levels, or else your components can wear out and malfunction. One of these important components is your muffler, it is an important part of your exhaust system that keeps it stable and secure, and if it fails, can cause damage to other parts of your exhaust system. Ignoring a failing muffler bracket can lead to costly repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
At Oldwick Village Garage, we are the leading auto repair shop in Tewksbury and surrounding areas, and pride ourselves on our amazing technicians and state of the art technology. If you suspect muffler bracket failure in your Volkswagen, bring it over to us! We will have it repaired and back on the road in no time.
Let’s talk about muffler bracket failure, why it happens, and what to do about it.
What Does A Muffler Bracket Do?
The muffler bracket, also known as the exhaust hanger, is an important component of your Volkswagen’s exhaust system responsible for holding the exhaust tubes and the muffler to the car’s chassis. It serves as some kind of basket with internal tube-like channels designed to regulate pulsations of flowing exhaust gas.
When you’re driving your Volkswagen, a lot of pressure is created in the exhaust system and travels to the engine, this affects its performance by slowing the exhaust gas that flows out. The muffler is responsible for keeping a certain level of backpressure to make sure your engine has the best driving conditions possible.
When your muffler is working correctly, your engine will produce more horsepower at a higher RPMs, which is why properly maintaining the muffler and keeping it from collapsing is any car owner’s top priority.
Also, your muffler bracket is the one that keeps the whole structure together and stops it from collapsing onto the road. If it breaks loose, then the whole exhaust system is way more vulnerable to damage, so it’s very important to make sure the muffler is securely in its place.
Signs Of Muffler Bracket Failure
Muffler brackets are usually made of rubber and steel, and are constantly exposed to rough movements and extreme temperatures. With time, the rubber tends to wear and become brittle, which can lead to failure. Other common causes of muffler bracket failure are running into obstacles on the road, accidents, speed bumps, and harsh weather conditions. To avoid any further damage to your Volkswagen, watch out for the following warning signs:
- Rattling or vibrating: if you hear or feel rattling and vibrating from your hood, it might be because of a broken muffler or a loose exhaust.
- Banging noises: if you hear banging when driving over a bumpy road, it could be the exhaust pipe hitting the bottom of the chassis as you bounce. This is not only annoying, but it could damage other components near the exhaust.
- Visible sagging or misalignment: if the lower part of your car is hanging lower than usual or seems misaligned, it might be because of a broken bracket. This can lead to additional strain on the exhaust system, increasing the risk of further damage.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Muffler Bracket Failure in Your Volkswagen
When your muffler bracket collapses and you decide to drive around anyway, your exhaust system is put under a lot of extra strain, which can cause loss of power and performance. It is highly recommended to get professional help as soon as you detect muffler bracket failure to avoid more damage to other exhaust system components.
Your muffler bracket will wear naturally with use, which is why it should be checked and maintained regularly for signs of failure. If your Volkswagen’s muffler bracket is failing, bring it into Oldwick Village Garage to get it replaced as soon as possible.
Schedule Your Appointment At Oldwick Village Garage
Located in Oldwick Village in Tewksbury, we also service the following areas:
- Bridgewater
- Bernardsville
- Basking Ridge
- Washington Township
So don’t wait for your muffler bracket to break down, schedule your maintenance and repair appointment today. Call us at (908) 439-2239 or visit our shop Monday through Friday from 5:30 AM – 7:30 PM, Saturday from 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM, and Sunday from 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM. We’re happy to help!
* Volkswagen Golf GTI Car image credit goes to: baronvsp.