[Jeff Wagg]

Just did 1,000 mile trip, and as I slowed down on the side streets near home, a loud vibration started wracking the car. It sounded like a muffler pipe came loose, but it was only at idle. No noise or vibration at all above 1000 RPM.

What was it?

It is the muffler hitting the tow hitch.

The muffler is hanging too low. I have "fixed" the problem by wedging a piece of masonite between the muffler and the hitch, but is there a way to adjust the height of the muffler? I noticed that it's hit the bumper a couple of times at some point, because there is a crescent melt hole there.

 

[jimvw57]

You might have one of the muffler hangers broken, or missing. They are at each side of the car just where the muffler ends. Kind of a rubber looking thing between the muffler hanger and the frame

Or it could be the flex pipe breaking and letting the muffler rotate(or tip)

 

[jzchen]

Engine mount(s) possibly going south???

 

[Jeff Wagg]

That was my biggest fear. I think it's more likely that the exhaust is hanging just a little low. (Wouldn't be an issue if I hadn't added the hitch receiver.) The mounts are in good shape, but I'm not sure about the flex pipe yet.