Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

[frankstbird]

Hi All!
Well, got the taillight sorted out (thanks to all of you!) -- still (possible) problem with the exhaust system . . .
Got & installed the OE from Ford exhaust system, & now BOTH mufflers show! Body shop sent me to local Ford store, who were some surprised at my fussing about VISIBLE mufflers (had never heard that particular complaint it seems).
They were quite helpful, talked about stretched rubber hangers, & were the original mufflers painted black? (I don't think so, but can't swear to it)
Here's what it looks like now.
My question is, do I have to live with this like this?? (Were the mufflers painted black?) I don't like the way it looks -- do believe you do not see the mufflers!! (see original Taillight Different? thread for photo before this new exhaust installed)
Thanks!
20081013 02 PS_FixTB Rear-3.jpg

[Dizzbe]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

Do you have a photo of the newly installed exhaust system? That might help to compare to others with the stock exhaust still on.

[2Redbirds57/02]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

Frank, my 2002 still has the original mufflers. They are not painted, however they do hang a little below the bottom of the quarter panel and are visible if you are not standing close to the car.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

First: The 2nd set of mufflers as you call them are the resonators and they are the pair closest to the rear bumper.
Second: They are not,NOT painted. No color at all.
Third: Yes they do show. Yes they are lower than the rear panel behind the rear wheels.
Fourth: There is not any rubber hangers to stretch. The rear most bracket is a steel strap like piece that bolts directly from the exhaust pipe to the frame right behind the bumper. The next is a steel rod welded to the exhaust, the other end is shaped like an arrow head and it is pressed into a round rubber lined receiver. And it continues like that for one more hanger near the actual mufflers.
There is nothing in the system that can stretch. I know all of this from first hand knowledge, replacing my original exhaust to a Borla cat-back system.

[00mustng]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

.....I wonder if they subbed an LS or Jag. system.....I had my cat back system replaced and had to wait ages from one to come from Michigan......Nothing is painted and you can see the resonators and it is all one piece from where the exhaust system comes together in the centre underneath.the car.....I also wonder if it is a repaired unit with the black paint?....Do you know where it was sourced?

[frankstbird]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

If you can enlarge the pic in beginning post -- even small you can see those mufflers . . .

Thanks! So no black paint (didn't think so) & no "rubber hangers" (thought that sounded some weird never had heard of "rubber hangers" . . . came from Ford thru the local dealer . . . could it be wrong? Does shares the platform with the LS, no? Wouldn't think the exhaust system could be that different then. . . but then again!

Anyhow. Red will go visit the local Ford store next week & we'll see what's up.

Thanks all again!!

[Bird03]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

I'm not sure about OEM mufflers, but I do know that Borla makes an exact fit aftermarket system and they come to 2 different versions

2002 (only) and 2003 to 2005.

They must do that because the fit on the 2002 is different from the rest of the years.

The OEMs must be the same so maybe they put a 2003 to 2005 muffler system on your 2002.

BTW. The system does hang from rubber donuts but it don't think they could stretch very much before they failed altogether.

It's hard to tell from your picture, but it looks like the pipes don't line up with the cutouts in the bottom of the bumper. Both seem to be too far inwards towards the center of the bumper.

Here is a picture of my cars. The yellow 2002 has the original muffler system. The 2003 red has a Borla aftermarket system. You can see the back of the muffler on the 02, but it doesn't look as bad since the tailpipe is more centered in the hole in the bumper above it.

[frankstbird]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

Well ran Red into the local Ford store, & they put her up on the rack, & went over everything pretty well . . . it's all where it should be, no where to adjust anything. (Even happened to have a 03 in there, that that owner was kind enuf to let them put up to compare with.)

So guess that's it. They showed me the car underneath, & yeah, I couldn't find anything out of kilter either -- everything did look right, including the last hangers in back. Figure that ridiculous wrong muffler just made me over sensitive to muffler silver!

Can't complain, they refused to charge me, even tho they had almost an hour of their mechanic's time into this, & were dealing with a problem not of their making! (Classic Ford in Mentor OH)

Thanks all for all your help! Would not have gotten this settled without you all!

[mamabird]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

Looking at your pic makes me want to have 2 Birds in my garage... I really do hope they come back in 2012 like it has been mentioned.

[Sandman]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

Wes,

It looks like your '02 is lower then the red one. Is the garage floor lower on that side, or is the car really lower?

Ron

[leisha]

Re: Taillight Different? (Con't . . .)

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...tonneau&page=2

Check post 40 for pics of the Borlas on my Two birds.