If you find that you need to replace the rear muffler on your Honda Civic, save a bit money and do it yourself. Shops will usually mark up the prices on exhaust components such as mufflers but they usually buy them from the same places you can. You will be saving money in parts and labor by doing it yourself.
Parts Needed:
· New Muffler
· New Donut gasket
· Ratchet with socket (bolt size may vary)
· WD-40
· Jack
· Jack Stands
Step One:
Start by placing your jack under the vehicle in the rear. Use the reinforced jack points on the car and begin raising the vehicle. Once you have raised it enough, place your jack stand under the reinforced jack point. You never want to crawl under a vehicle that is only supported by a jack. Always use jack stands. Repeat this for the other side of the car.
Step Two:
If the bolts on the old muffler look rusted, soak them for a few hours in WD-40 to help loosen them up. You can then begin loosening the bolts that hold the muffler in place. There are two bolts total. When you remove the bolts, be sure not to lose the springs that are surrounding the bolt. These hold tension on the exhaust flange keeping them together.
Step Three:
You can now remove the old muffler from the rubber hangers. These can be difficult to get. You can also use the WD-40 to lubricate the rubber and hangers to allow them to slide out better.
Step Four:
With the old muffler removed, you now need to remove the old donut gasket that is on the exhaust pipe still connected to the car. You might need to pry it off with a screwdriver depending on what shape it is in. Clean the area and place the new gasket in its place.
Step Five:
Take the new muffler and place it on the hangers before you bolt it up. You can again use the WD-40 if it is difficult to get them on. With the muffler hanging on the rubber hangers, line up the flange on the muffler with the flange on the exhaust pipe. You can now place your bolts back into the flange to connect the exhaust. Remember to place the bolt through the spring and then through the flange. You will need to use a decent amount of force to compress the spring which will allow you to start threading it through the other side. Repeat this on the other bolt.
Step Six:
Now that the new muffler is in place and correctly attached, you can take the car off of the jack stands by reversing the steps when you put it on the stands.
You have now successfully replaced your own muffler.
