[turnsignalslol]

I just installed my AA Single Midpipe for my M2C but I’ve noticed that it drones/makes a vibrating noise at 1k rpms but not at any other rpm. I originally thought it was the sphere clamps touching the heat shield so I retightened it so that the bolts are nowhere close. I also retightened the downpipe just in case (and I used new downpipe gaskets). However, it still seems to be happening. It’s annoying when I’m trying to cruise in efficient and the dct automatically upshifts to stay at like 1k rpm so I constantly hear it.

Anyone else have this issue? What can I do to fix it?

[turnsignalslol]

I have recorded a video from under the car where I think it is causing the problem. The front part of the midpipe (close to the downpipes) is fully seated against the heat shield, which rattles when I hit the midpipe. I am not sure how to reposition the midpipe so that this doesn't happen. Any ideas?

Here's the video.

I also got some clips from my dashcam of what the rattle sounds like from inside the cabin if that helps anyone recognize the sound.

All help is appreciated, thanks

Edit: To sum it up, it kind of sounds like a sad trombone lol

[turnsignalslol]

Also can confirm that the brace is not causing the issue, I'm using the one provided by AA and it has a lot of clearance between the midpipe and the brace so there's no chance it's hitting that and rattling.

[CoffeeLife]

Just push the heatshield in a little bit. Dont push it in that much but if everything is tightened down and your exhaust setup is solid…. You just need a few mm of clearance.

Only push it in where it slightly touching

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by CoffeeLife

Just push the heatshield in a little bit. Dont push it in that much but if everything is tightened down and your exhaust setup is solid…. You just need a few mm of clearance.

Only push it in where it slightly touching

+1

[turnsignalslol]

Did what you guys told me to do and now it just rattles whenever it moves, what do I do now?

[turnsignalslol]

Is it possible that the heat shield is hitting the driveshaft now?

[turnsignalslol]

Update: It’s 100% the driveshaft making contact with my heat shields. Fml. Now I have to undo everything just to rebend the shields back to their original form.

https://youtube.com/shorts/XEUnikFAjWc?feature=share

[CoffeeLife]

Oh yea. Definitely pushed it in too much.

You’re just pushing in the width of your fingertip enough to make a gap. The gap size youre making would be big enough for say a slotted screw driver to fit.

Dont try to create a large gap.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by CoffeeLife

Oh yea. Definitely pushed it in too much.

You’re just pushing in the width of your fingertip enough to make a gap. The gap size youre making would be big enough for say a slotted screw driver to fit.

Dont try to create a large gap.

That’s exactly what I was doing, the gap was only about the weight of a flathead screwdriver

[CoffeeLife]

Ah dang thats frustrating. Did you drop the heat shield and bend it all back, then try again? Hope you had a lift available and not just a jack and stands…else thats extra annoying

[CoffeeLife]

Another question. Is the midpipe pushing against the downpipes upward? Wondering if you can bend the first side mount connected to the midpipe.

Else ive had to cut and weld an extra 1/2” to my AA where it connected at the downpipe. Since it was pushing hard against the front heat shield area.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by CoffeeLife

Ah dang thats frustrating. Did you drop the heat shield and bend it all back, then try again? Hope you had a lift available and not just a jack and stands…else thats extra annoying

Doing that tomorrow… On jack stands.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by CoffeeLife

Another question. Is the midpipe pushing against the downpipes upward? Wondering if you can bend the first side mount connected to the midpipe.

Else ive had to cut and weld an extra 1/2” to my AA where it connected at the downpipe. Since it was pushing hard against the front heat shield area.

I don’t know what you mean by if it’s pushing upward. But the top of the midpipe touches the heat shields and I bent those parts, hence why I think the driveshaft is making contact now and causing that noise.

[CoffeeLife]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

I don’t know what you mean by if it’s pushing upward. But the top of the midpipe touches the heat shields and I bent those parts, hence why I think the driveshaft is making contact now and causing that noise.

Is it the first bend they made after the downpipe causing the midpipe to push upward and hit the heatshield? You can see the top arrow of an older AA N55 midpipe I had to weld an additional 1/2” at the bend to give more clearance. Had the same issue as you’re experiencing.

Or what about the first mount (2nd arrow) any chance you can slightly bend it to give you that extra mm clearance?

[turnsignalslol]

Ended up fixing the problem, got sick and tired of it so we poked a hole in the heat shield and yanked that shit down till there was enough clearance, now runs like a charm, no rattles.

I still have exhaust leaks on the two big clamps connecting the stock muffler to the midpipe where water drips out. I was considering using a muffler tape solution like tiger patch below the clamps to solve the problem. only thing I’m concerned about is if it’s flammable. Should it be safe to use on our cars?

[CoffeeLife]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

Ended up fixing the problem, got sick and tired of it so we poked a hole in the heat shield and yanked that shit down till there was enough clearance, now runs like a charm, no rattles.

I still have exhaust leaks on the two big clamps connecting the stock muffler to the midpipe where water drips out. I was considering using a muffler tape solution like tiger patch below the clamps to solve the problem. only thing I’m concerned about is if it’s flammable. Should it be safe to use on our cars?

Glad you got it resolved. Its always fun when something requires tweaking….lol

What part leaks? Is there a gap between the clamps? I wouldnt put any tape down, if its just occasional water make sure the clamps are torqued to whatever spec AA recommends first. If clamped down too hard you can bend the pipe leaving a small gap under the clamp wherever the bolt pressure is concentrated on.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

Ended up fixing the problem, got sick and tired of it so we poked a hole in the heat shield and yanked that shit down till there was enough clearance, now runs like a charm, no rattles.

I still have exhaust leaks on the two big clamps connecting the stock muffler to the midpipe where water drips out. I was considering using a muffler tape solution like tiger patch below the clamps to solve the problem. only thing I’m concerned about is if it’s flammable. Should it be safe to use on our cars?

Use Permatex Ultra Copper on the joint connections under the clamps. Don’t use anything else but Ultra Copper. That should fix your leaks if your pipes were cut properly.