Removing muffler with bumper one

[911monty]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

It actually takes less time to remove the fascia cover than to try and remove the exhaust with it on.

Hey JFP don't get me wrong I have a Great deal of respect what you do for this forum and recognize you have forgotten more than I will ever know about these cars. The way you explain problems leads me to believe that by the end of your description to a customer of how their IMS has destroyed their engine they are probably smiling and offering to buy you a cold one! But this is like saying it is easier to change the battery if you remove the hood! I don't know how removing unnecessary body components with issues like those noted in the additional posts could be faster. I did mine on ramps and even stopping to take pictures I was done in less than an hour from start to finish. Now if I was going to pull the trans then the cover is coming off, but to just R&R the muffler....

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Hey JFP don't get me wrong I have a Great deal of respect what you do for this forum and recognize you have forgotten more than I will ever know about these cars. The way you explain problems leads me to believe that by the end of your description to a customer of how their IMS has destroyed their engine they are probably smiling and offering to buy you a cold one! But this is like saying it is easier to change the battery if you remove the hood! I don't know how removing unnecessary body components with issues like those noted in the additional posts could be faster. I did mine on ramps and even stopping to take pictures I was done in less than an hour from start to finish. Now if I was going to pull the trans then the cover is coming off, but to just R&R the muffler....

Removing the fascia cover is a ten min. project, once it is out of the way and the heat shields are dropped, it another ten min. until the muffler is out. After you have done this about million times (albeit on a lift) it goes very quickly. Working around everything to drop the muffler actually takes longer, and putting it back together is even worse.

[911monty]

JFP Thanks for your willingness to discuss these cars. I have to say that once you do a task a million times it certainly becomes easier. In regards to a DIYer where time is no object, I think that minimal invasive procedure is best. This eliminates breaking brittle plastic tabs, scratches etc. While doing this on ramps is slightly restricted access and removing the fascia would open up a wonderful view. It was literally zip zip with an air ratchet (Got to get me a cordless)
Now we are having to address all fasteners, fascia on or off, the same except for potentially the hanger bolts, where do you disconnect yours? The outer ends or the inner on the bracket? I can certainly say that if I was doing this job on a lift with that kind of access, I wouldn't even consider removing the fascia even on a 98-00.