Removal Procedure

Important:  The muffler is serviced as one complete unit with an exhaust pipe and tail pipe. Some variations of vehicles may have an aftermarket tail pipe added. When the vehicle is raised on the hoist it must be raised by the frame to allow the rear axle to be lowered.

1. Raise the vehicle.
2. If equipped with 4.3L, 5.0L, or 5.7L engine with a single catalytic converter pipe, remove the nuts retaining the catalytic converter pipe from the muffler flange.
   Fig 1: Removing Nuts Retaining Catalytic Converter Pipe

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. If equipped with 5.0L or 5.7L engine with dual catalytic converter pipes or an 8.1L engine, loosen the clamp for the right catalytic converter.
4. Remove the nuts retaining the left catalytic converter to the muffler flange.
   Fig 2: Removing Nuts Retaining Left Catalytic Converter

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. If equipped with 6.5L engine, remove the nuts retaining the exhaust pipe to the muffler flange.
   Fig 3: Removing Nuts Retaining Exhaust Pipe To Muffler Flange

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Important:  Depending on the wheel base of the vehicle and the length of the exhaust system the following procedures are required in order to remove the muffler assembly from the vehicle.

6. If equipped with 4.3L, 5.0L, and 5.7L engine with 135 inch wheel base and full body style, remove the muffler assembly hanger pins from the exhaust hanger insulators. Due to the weight of the exhaust system it may take 2 persons.
7. Remove the muffler assembly by lifting over the rear axle and remove towards the front of the vehicle.
   Fig 4: Removing Muffler Assembly

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. If equipped with 4.3L, 5.0L, 5.7L, 6.5L, and 8.1L engine with 155 inch wheel base and full body style, support the right side of the rear axle with a suitable jack stand.

   Relieve the tension from the shock absorber.

9. Remove the right lower shock absorber bolt and nut.
10. Lower the axle.
    Fig 5: Removing Right Lower Shock Absorber Bolt & Nut

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
11. Remove the muffler assembly hanger pins from the exhaust hanger insulators. Due to the weight of the exhaust system it may take 2 persons.
12. Remove the muffler assembly by lifting over the rear axle and remove towards the front of the vehicle.
    Fig 6: Removing Muffler Assembly

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
13. If equipped with 5.7L, 6.5L, or 8.1L engine and a 139 inch, 159 inch, or 177 inch wheel base with a cutaway body style, support the rear axle in order to relieve the tension from the rear springs, using a suitable jack stand.
14. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to TIRE AND WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
15. Remove the following parts for the right rear spring from the axle:
    • The rear spring U-bolts and nuts (1)
    • The anchor plate
    Fig 7: Removing Rear Spring U-Bolts, Nuts & Anchor Plate

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
16. Remove the right lower shock absorber bolt and nut.
17. Lower the axle.
    Fig 8: Removing Right Lower Shock Absorber Bolt & Nut

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
18. Remove the muffler assembly hanger pins from the exhaust hanger insulators. Due to the weight of the exhaust system it may take 2 persons.
19. Remove the muffler assembly by lifting over the rear axle and remove towards the rear of the vehicle.
    Fig 9: Removing Muffler Assembly Hanger Pins & Muffler Assembly

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.