Parking brake rotor rubbing exhaust

[djl]

Hi All.  I have been performing some maintenance on my 'new-to-me' 2011 HS700.  Typical maintenance items: front wheel bearings, stuck brake caliper sliders, brake pads, caliper rubbers, exhaust bushings, lower shock bushings. Upon replacing the exhaust bushings I noticed that the park brake rotor is contacting the exhaust (right where the bushing goes). It would have previously not been in contact only as a result of the bushing having been worn out.  Has anyone run into this issue and if so, how were you able to fix it?  I am currently considering a shim under the rear engine mounts to get a bit of clearance between the exhaust bushing and the park brake rotor.  Thanks!

[djl]

Hi All.  I wanted to provide an update.  I overcame this particular issue by manufacturing a couple of 1/8" shims to place between the rear engine mounts and the chassis.  This provided ~3/8" of clearance between the park brake rotor and the exhaust pipe which should be sufficient.  Thanks!

[Greg Kilgore]

Could have tried to loosen the exhaust. Then adjust the exhaust up and out of the way. 

You may want to look at the drive shaft bearings or something of that nature. That could cause the rotor to move up into the exhaust. 

 

Just a thought.

[djl]

Hi Greg.  I was trying to avoid loosening / adjusting the exhaust header bolts as they do not appear to have been touched since originally assembled at the factory.  🙂  I did check the bearing at the rotor end of the driveshaft and it didn't have any noticeable play.  Thanks for the response!

[Greg Kilgore]

Just a FYI while we're talking about the exhaust.

I had to replace the rear driveshaft on my Axis. Removed the exhaust completely, in sections. When I put everything back together. It was quieter than before. 

Then I took a 3ft scrap piece of 1" metal flex conduit from the job site. Stuck it on the end of the muffler. Just used bailing wire to secure under the bed toward the tailgate. Then a long the underside of tail gate until I ran out of flex conduit. Made a big difference in noise out the back. Even helped some in the cab.

Don't use the weather tight flex. It WILL MELT.

The metal flex will act as a baffle. And I don't think it adds any back pressure. If it does, it couldn't be much.

[djl]

Hi Greg.  Interesting approach.  I had run across an aftermarket option that adds a '2nd' muffler across the rear of the chassis under the box overhang and thought it might be something to consider.  I will keep this flex pipe idea in mind.  I will start with earplugs- this should reduce the noise for me.  If neighbors complain, I will consider other options.  🙂

[Greg Kilgore]

The after market 2nd muffler is $$$.

If you don't mind dumpster diving. Run by a new construction site. I'm sure you could find a piece of flex in the dumpster the sparkies threw out. That's what I did.