You guys are a bunch of idiots. I started reading this forum a few months ago. I didn't even need a truck. You all said so many nice things about them though, I went out and bought one. It sure is nice, but you all made me spend $40k when my Hyundai Elantra gets much better fuel mileage.


But that's not today's issue with all of you hot-rodders. It's the MUFFLER BEARING. I saw a post here a few weeks ago with instructions on removal of the bearing. I'm smart enough to know that I should replace the stock GM muffler bearing with an aftermarket one for quieter operation, higher performance and maximum fuel efficiency. All of the salesmen (4 of them) at Kragen Auto agreed that this would be the right thing to do. They even gave me a 30% discount on the titanium drill bit and sabre saw blade they said I would need to open the muffler.


I carefully marked a rectangle on the muffler and drilled four pilot holes, then used the sabre saw to cut a very neat rectangle. Turns out you guys aren't the only idiots out there. Whoever makes the saber saw blades are jerks too. They must have make some deflective blades, and I was unlucky enough to buy one of them. The blade caused hot pieces of metal shavings to fly into my eyes for almost 5 minutes while I was cutting. I should sue them or something.


Well, you won't believe this, and I thought it was just because my eyes hurt a lot, but I could not see the bearing after the cut was completed. I drove back to the Kragen store with a loud muffler to complain. They told me that the people on this Forum were the real problem. They said you jerks should have told me that the bearing was located at the BACK end of the muffler. Please remember to give better directions in the future.


I wanted to pick up the aftermarket bearing at the store while I was there, but they were nice enough to tell me that any automotive store would have the same supply of the bearings and there were a couple stores even closer to my home. These guys (and a couple of girls) at the store were very interested in my truck and even came out to the parking lot to see my Dmax (Rollin' Thunder). They took some digital photos with me and some of the sales associates and the truck.


Anyway, I'm back home now with a new (better) saw blade. Can you believe they GAVE it to me at the store. This one will not throw shavings. I'm heading out to the garage to make the cut in the BACK of the muffler after I flush my eyes once more.


I'm sorry I called you Idiots, I'm somewhat to blame myself for not asking which end of the muffler to cut. If I had just asked you guys, you would have been just as helpful as the store staff, wouldn't you?


I'll post an update after I complete the install later this afternoon. I can hardly believe that I am able to work on my own truck. I wonder how much money I'm saving by doing this upgrade myself instead of having my GMC dealer do it.





Edited by: Rollin' Thunder

This is a joke right......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

Edited by: dpower

LOL, Good one Rollin' Thunder. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

UPDATE: Taking a short break from the install. Another damn defective saw blade. Eyes are hurting again, but I'm almost done.


dpower, I just read your rude remarks. Maybe I'm to blame because I inferred that you were an idiot in my initial sentence. I have calmed down since I wrote that. I was going to respond to your nasty posts by letting you know that your use of the word "your" is incorrect. You really meant to type "you're". It's called a contraction ("it's" is another one). I was also going to note that I should have expected such a response from someone from Virginia, where most residents are what we in California call "mouth breathers", and where everyone marries their cousins. I was going to tell you that you were lucky your parents never had children. But I'm not going to tell you any of that. I've decided it would be rude to post.


Well, back out to the garage. I'm almost done. I think I can see the edge of the bearing when I shine a flashlight through one of the pilot holes.Edited by: Rollin' Thunder

Hey Rollin' Thunder,


You may want to preface these posts with "* * * * * * JOKE * * * * * * If you don't understand humor, please disregard * * * * "


Seems some don't appreciate/understand it. I was LMAO at this one.


Dennis

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rollin' Thunder,


I see your from Santa Rosa, the deep south. This may be the problem. I'm 80 miles north of you in Willits, we am way better eddicated, and I didn't have no trouble with my muffler bearing installation. It cut my EGT's down to 300 degrees max, and 0 to 60 times are no more than 2 seconds. All of this is with the "juice" on level 12. Should you ever need help or advice, counseling, or just plane wanting someone to talk too. contact your brothers to the far north. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif tpitt

Tpitt & Rollin' Thunder,


I'll add to Tpitt's comment that your fellow Dmax brother to the even further North is here for any help, advise, counseling or talk either of you may be in need of. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

SteveNorCal,


You don't count, You am from the far east.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif I was over yonder earlier this year for training at the C.D.F station in Susanville. If I'd known you was from those parts, I'd have looked you up. Maybe we should have a Norcal get together sometime. My problem is that in the summer I work weekends and never know where I'm going to be. I'm on vacation right now and heading to Montana in the morning for a business, pleasure trip. I have a side business, for diesel performance, and Transferflow tanks. Ah! wish I could retire.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif Terry

Rolling Thunder I have 2 words "EYE PROTECTION"

Yep replacing that muffler bearing really helps the performance!!!

Rub some vasaline around your eyes before drilling......when the shavings start flying, it will stick to that before it gets to your eyes!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Pinch.gif

I am assuming this is a joke...but from your past post, your other current thread in this section of the forum I am not sure. Sorry about the spelling error...busy as a doctors day often is....sometimes I just need to slow down and use the spell check I guess.

I had my Dealer give me a quote on the 2005 factory bearing, which replaces the "first generation LLY" The factory Tech Rep was there and told the Service Manager that the 2005 bearing was being packaged with high temp grease instead of the 2004.5 LLY came dry as a bone because the same GM employee that was awarded a cash bonus for suggesting cost savings to deleat 1 qt rear diff lube at factory, also recommended leaving grease out of muffler bearing to save labor and grease. I plan to saw open my muffler and pack the bearing with grease. Who makes the best diesel grade muffler grease? I can't find any info from GM as to a spec. All this deesal stuff makes my head hurt. I didn't know there was so much involved.

UPDATE #2 Son of a bitch. I guess I'm the idiot after all. It turns out that I've been cutting out rectangles from the catalytic converter instead of the muffler. The cuts were probably too large, as now the cat converter is dangling by two thin strands of stainless steel. It appears to only be held up by one of my Johnson rods.


At least that is what the guy from Kragen Auto said. He came over with his camera to help me, and to document the bearing replacement process for anyone else who comes into his store with this problem in the future. He says he will even post my photos and story on the wall at his store for everyone to read.


He got under the truck and marked the exact spot on the muffler that needs to be removed. It's quite a bit larger cut than I thought I would need, but he says it's better to have the hole a bit big rather than a bit small.


He also gave me another blade which will keep the shavings out of my eyes. Turns out the first 2 blades were not defective at all. The store just sold me the wrong blades. They meant to give me magnetized blades so that the metal shavings would stick to them and not drop in my face. Now I have the magnetic one. I was also advised to keep the engine running while I make the cut in the muffler, as this will assist in blowing the metal shavings away from my eyes. This next (final?) cut is going to be a piece of cake.


This is the first vehicle I have ever fixed by myself. I have absolutely no professional training, but I'm doing my best.


Thanks for the support of all of you on this Forum. Without you, I wouldn't even be attempting this upgrade.

Rollin Thunder,


Keep up the good work. You'll get there shortly.

Rollin Thunder,


If you would have emailed me previous to starting this job I could have saved you much grief,


Firstly, all you need to check and change the muffler bearing is a Metric adjustable wrench,


Go to your nearest auto parts store and have them order one for you, it makes the job so much easier and no cutting or drilling is required


good luck.


Rob

I have a template that locates the correct location for muffler bearing removal http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif .





Thttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifNY

UPDATE #3 Bad news and good news. I got the section removed from my muffler (good). There was no bearing immediately visible (bad). Kragen guy was still willing to help however. (good) He says that what probably happened is that the factory installed the muffler upside down (rotated 180 degrees) and I need to make another cut on the opposite side (bad).


I'm taking the truck to a muffler shop this afternoon to have them cut out the muffler, rotate it, and then reweld it in the proper position so I can cut one more hole.


A bit more good news from him: he sold me one of those adjustable metric wrenches. And talk about luck; the only one that they have at his distribution center is a right-handed one, and that's what I am. He says I'm getting the long shaft. Getting it for only $75 because I paid him cash instead of doing it through his store. Saving $25. Pretty smart shopping, huh? I may not even need the wrench, but I figure it will be good insurance in case something goes wrong with the next hole cutting exercise.


Thanks again for everyone's help and support.

Just got the call from my Dealer, $288 bucks parts and labor, that isn't too bad to get my 2004.5 LLY caught up to the 2005 specs. Now, if I could just get that new 2005 grill and hood, I would not feel so dang awful about not waiting for the 05 to come out.

<DIV>Ah yes the metric crescent wrench. I actually have one of these in my tool box! I work with a guy (kinda like you Rollin Thunder) and he actually thinks it will only work on metric fasteners.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Again, some people have WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY too much time on their hands. LMAO.

hehe...mouth-breather...hehe

GREAT THREADhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif

Rollinthunder, Do not take your truck to the muffler shop to have the muffler rotated. I know for a fact that same sabre saw blade will cut the proper access hole into the floor of the truck bed. My advice is to save the money and do it yourself so the job is done right.

Too F'n Funny!

Rollin" Thunder


You made my day, keep up the good work and keep us all informed on your progress, and they make fun of me for living in Idahohttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Ok...I admit when I am wrong...sorry about my poor judgement. I edited the above post. Sorry for the tasteless comments..hope this burys the hatchet.

Hey Rollin'Thunder! Wait! I got a plasma cutter that will make a nice straight cut inside your truck bed. Plus, you don't even have to wear a face shield.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

rollin thunder,bajadave is absolutly correct by telling you to use a plasma cutter,as long as it has a new teflon coated bladehttp://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif

Yeah, and it will work better if you have a bedliner.

You guys are bad, You are making my insides hurt. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

I can't believe someone hasn't brought up a shortcut I learned long ago. All you have to do is turn the muffler inside out, replace the old bearing with the performance bearing then turn the muffler outside in. It's a snap.


The first time I did it I thought I had an anal-cerebral inversion because I tried doing it from the exit side of the muffler. Having the truck running is a good trick too but you can imagine the problems doing it from the back end of the muffler with the motor running. That's when I realized I had done something wrong. I felt so stupid when I realized I was doing it wrong. Glad nobody was around. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif Much wiser now.


You can plug the holes you have already unneccessarily drilled with a good home remedy. Soak some microcloths in creosote overnight, dredge in light tar and then pack them tightly into the holes. Your problems will be over. I am quite confident of that.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Good luck. Keep us informed please.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

FINAL UPDATE: OK, I give up. Cut final hole and still no bearing visible. I'm beginning to think I've been taken for a fool by the Kragen guy and you guys on this forum. Am solving the hole problem by ordering the following:


* New Banks 4" exhaust system


* Edge box with Attitude


* Transmission upgrade


* TTS tow tune


* Large tires


* H2 rims


* Set of gauges


* Bilstein shocks


* NOS system


* Train horns (5 note)


* Police siren


* Fancy grille, door handles and trim pieces


So, to summarize, for the vehicle I didn't really need:


- New truck, $39,750


- Attempted muffler bearing replacement, $189


- Additional upgrades as listed above, $19,837


- Support from fellow Forum Members, f*&amp;%^(#g pricelessEdited by: Rollin' Thunder

Sometimes it's just best to admit defeat I guess.. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

You could have just replaced the exhaust with a left handed smoke shifter. It has lifetime sealed bearings.

Reading this thread is better than driving fast with a hooker in your lap! (did I say that out loud?)http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Hey Rollin, you add some cross drilled brake lines and an air filter bypass kit and you be really smokin those tires. A motor block oil bypass kit is also helpful.


Seriously folks. If you like this kind of stuff go to this website. I laughed my A## off for a long time.


www.kalecoauto.com

DUDE.............





Why did you replace the muffler bearings, and not re-gear the muffler while you were in there?????


All you need is a Water Pump off a 1968 VW Beetle to run a exhuast bypass so it wont burn you as you do the work, becuase the truck has to be running... Also to set the right back lash on the muffler gears you need a Johnson &amp; Johnson CanNooter Valve Adjusting Tool....





Hope it helps


BIG

I just replaced my muffler with one large bearing. It's the same size as the muffler was so I didn't have to install new brackets. I just eliminated the muffler. I purchased the bearing at Catapiller. Also, I have found that graphite grease works best in all weather applications. The viscosity of the grease has a very wide range. The engine exhaust noise is a little louder with the muffler removed but not by much.


Reggie

Rollin' Thunder - Keep looking. I don't think you have looked deep enough. This is a picture of mine.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/AB3_mufflerbearing2.jpgEdited by: Raptorrider

ROTFLMAO!!!! Seriously guys, too funny, sides are splitting here.

Raptorrider,


Sure the bearing is easy to find on your truck. You've got one of those wimpy LB7 motors with the 1.25" diameter exhaust pipes. That bearing is much harder to find on a real truck with the LLY engine and big diameter exhaust.

Rollin' Thunder - Do you mean I screwed up putting the 1.25" pipe back on it? I thought that just a new muffler bearing would take care of the power problem. They tried to get me to buy a new 1 5/16" pipe but I didn't want to spring for the extra money. The picture you see is the used muffler they sold. They just replaced the bearing. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif Edited by: Raptorrider

You guys remind me of a new mechanic in town. She got fed up delivering babies (she was an OB/GYN Doc) and went back to the community college to learn auto mechanics.

She didn't have much confidence but studied real hard. At the final exam she had to take apart and put back together an old engine. She thought she failed and told the prof that this was harder than "birthin" babies.

He told her that she was the first student to score 150%.

She was shocked cause the max was 100% and asked him to explain.

He told her she took the engine apart perfectly and got 50%. She then put it together perfectly and got another 50%. She got a 50% bonus cause she did it all by jacking up the back end and working thru the muffler.


Maybe you guys could ask her to fix your muffler bearings.

Doc RobbsEdited by: DocRobbs