Exhaust Resonator

[PCGUY112887]

Has anyone ever had an exhaust resonator go bad?

I have a 18" long 2.5" resonator from Vibrant Performance. All has been good, until nearly a month ago when I started to notice an extreme metallic ringing sound coming from my exhaust. It happens when I come to a stop, in Drive or Reverse, like the vibration from being in gear is just enough to make this sound go crazy. If I throw it in Neutral or Park, it stops. Also if I am driving, it's not there.

I took it to the exhaust shop that installed my exhaust, and they walked under with it running and said it was coming from the resonator. I didn't understand how, since it's stainless steel and just a year old, but they walked under with me and the guy hit my resonator with this fist (with my car off) and you could sorta hear the ringing noise that I hear while idle/in gear.

What could have happened to the resonator? It was a free flowing design, stayed 2.5" all the way through with just a bunch of lil holes in the pipe.

[IsaacHayes]

Do you have a cat? The cat could of broke up and now the pieces are in the "resonator". Or the welded/pressed metal core that holds back the fiberglass in the resonator could of come un-done inside it.

[PCGUY112887]

I don't have a cat, it's headers before my resonator. The exhaust guy suggested the core inside came undone.

I contacted Vibrant Performance about a warranty replacement. They want proof of purchase (from over a year ago) and a picture of in the resonator. How in the hell am I supposed to get a picture without cutting the thing off and having no resonator to go back in it's place? Ugh...

[IsaacHayes]

Yep, thats how it is with warranties oh well. Yeah the metal core probably came apart.

[PCGUY112887]

Well I found my online receipt, and I took a picture of it welded to my car, we will see what happens!

[Superdave]

i'd cut it off and clamp in a test pipe, no biggie.