Uh oh - I just realized my exhaust problem is far more serious than I thought.

I finally got around to replacing the fuel filter (only 52k since the 100k service, so not overdue), and noticed a couple of other issues. The biggest one, which will be easy enough to rectify, is that there is no hanger at all on the front (ahead of axle) silencer. The shop which didn't bother to re-install the headpipe spring also didn't bother to hang the silencer. The band with the hooks is not present, either. The two rubber supports are still hanging from the body, though, doing nothing but making Monroe Muffler of Enfield Connecticut look even more incompetent. So the entire system is only supported at the back box, and by the manifold.

But wait - there's more! The catalytic converter (which was replaced by same Monroe) is welded to the pipe on the muffler side (three bolt flange is attached normally). I'm not sure why someone would do this, instead of using the slip joint, unless the system was too short for some reason (and they were too lazy to weld in an extension). I'll have to look at the receipts. I think the system was done piecemeal, so maybe the lazy tech cut off the old cat and installed the new, assuming cat was done second. Doesn't really matter until I have to replace the exhaust again, so I'm not too worried. I'll just buy the hanger bit, and probably some new rubbers vor both mufflers, and get it secured before something bad happens.

Gee....