1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Chasis Stiffening Plate and Muffler?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Freedom, Jun 24, 2008.

  1. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2008
    535
    69
    0
    Location:
    Northeastern MA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Chassis Stiffening Plate and Muffler?

    I just ordered my Pri yesterday. So I can't just go out to the driveway and LOOK to get an answer on this.

    From the photos, it seems this plate needs to be removed each time you have a muffler change?

    On my other cars, I've always gone to Midas for mufflers; and they last me perhaps 2 years and I need a new one.

    I saw a few threads about the stiffening plate, who likes it, what it does etc. But I didn't find anything re it's interaction with muffler changes.

    Just wondering if anyone has an experience with this?
     
    #1 Freedom, Jun 24, 2008
  2. Five5Six

    Five5Six New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    56
    1
    0
    Location:
    Los Osos, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Why would you require a muffler change every two years?, and any muffler guy should be able to do his work without any problem with the plate installed.
     
    #2 Five5Six, Jun 24, 2008
  3. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,872
    1,871
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Since the Prius muffler is made of high quality stainless steel, very few have needed to be replaced. Some catalytic converters have failed in early Prii, but that's a separate issue.

    Besides, the stiffening plate is just bolted on and can be removed in 5 minutes.

    JeffD
     
    #3 jdenenberg, Jun 24, 2008
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,193
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    This is a complete non-issue. I'm not sure I've even heard of anyone needing their muffler replaced on the Prius to tell you the truth and certainly not every 2 years.
    Anyway, there's a stiffening plate there anyway from Toyota, the replacement stiffening plate is just more rigid. Either would need to be removed and either will come off quite easily.
     
    #4 efusco, Jun 24, 2008
  5. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You had an American car you needed to frequently change the muffler on.
    This is a Toyota. My last Toyota was a 1990 Camry, had 290,000km on it and the original mufflers when I sold it last year. Most likely still has the same mufflers today.
    Love the stainless steel.
     
    #5 patsparks, Jun 24, 2008
  6. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2008
    535
    69
    0
    Location:
    Northeastern MA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Nope, Honda. Only ever owned a Honda; until now. :D

    I didn't realize this is a replacement; I thought it was a new add on piece. That helps, to know that.

    So does that plate have to be done BEFORE putting on the skid plate?
     
    #6 Freedom, Jun 24, 2008
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,193
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Nope, either order is fine, they don't overlap.
     
    #7 efusco, Jun 24, 2008
  8. ZC1

    ZC1 Junior Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2008
    711
    13
    0
    Location:
    Metro Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Re: Chassis Stiffening Plate and Muffler?

    The direct answer to your question is:
    Either part (plate or muffler) can be easily removed/replaced independently of each other.

    The stiffening plate is not near the muffler and the muffler coupling is 2ft behind the muffler and easily reached.

    In fact, both can be removed while you are laying on the ground, no need to raise the car.
    Just so you know.

    ZC1
     
    #8 ZC1, Jun 24, 2008
  9. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Check, I think Honda must make some cars in the USA? :D
    I just thought I would try and guess.

    If you are a bit chubby with short arms like me you might need to jack the car and block it up, just a little to reach the plate or muffler.
     
    #9 patsparks, Jun 24, 2008
  10. BIGGDOGG

    BIGGDOGG New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2008
    298
    0
    8
    Location:
    Morristown,NJ
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I have never needed to replace the muffler on any car I owned. (I only owned 1 before my pri but it was near 100K miles and 8 yrs old)
     
    #10 BIGGDOGG, Jun 24, 2008
  11. mrblaise

    mrblaise Go Lakers!!

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2008
    2,248
    525
    19
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I think the last time I replaced a muffler was when I owned a 1968 Camaro ...
     
    #11 mrblaise, Jun 24, 2008
  12. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2005
    1,242
    252
    0
    hmm.... Rhode Island.

    You sure your neighbor(s) did not just put road salt into your cars' mufflers? ;)
     
    #12 dipper, Jun 24, 2008
  13. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2008
    535
    69
    0
    Location:
    Northeastern MA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    If they did anything, it was OCEAN salt! He hee.
     
    #13 Freedom, Jun 24, 2008
  14. cairo94507

    cairo94507 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2004
    923
    36
    0
    Location:
    Auburn, CA, USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Not to slam Midas, but if they sell a muffler which needs replacement every two years why are they still in business? ( as a disclaimer I do not believe the OP about this fact)
     
    #14 cairo94507, Jun 25, 2008
  15. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2008
    535
    69
    0
    Location:
    Northeastern MA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Sorry. It seems like every 2 years, I am not sure HOW long it is. I know I've had at least 3 ( 1 being the original) mufflers on the 1998 Honda I am planning to trade in for the Pri I have on order. I also know I get the absolute cheapest model they offer (they have different "grades") The muffler is guaranteed, all I pay is the labor each time they have to replace it. I probably would have spent less overall if I'd just gone for a better muffler in the first place. My trips are all very short, and I am near the coast. I've been told those are the factors which play into my needing one so often. (short trips, near coast, cheapest thing out there)

    That wasn't really the point of my question, I was just curious about the way the part fit together because I can't go out in my driveway and look; yet!
     
    #15 Freedom, Jun 25, 2008
  16. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    797
    21
    0
    Location:
    La Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    here's the bottom line, you wont have to worry.

    PATSPARKS- my friend, you look strong enough to lift the prius all by your lonesome self - yes, this is a compliment.

    cheers.
     
    #16 Genoz World, Jun 25, 2008
  17. dwreed3rd

    dwreed3rd New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2008
    742
    4
    0
    Location:
    Marietta, Ga
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I wouldn't go back to MIDAS if their mufflers only last 2 years. I haven't replaced a muffler in 30 years. Had cars for 51 years. Lowest mileage traded with 75K. Two over 100K, one of which is a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS w/107K. I'd find another muffler shop. I can't imagine what car or driving conditions would go through a muffler every 2 years.
     
    #17 dwreed3rd, Jun 25, 2008
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)