Wastegate Rattle??

mcfarlrm · May 24, 2022

Took my ST into the dealer for an oil change and mentioned that I am hearing a rattle when passing parked cars, walls, etc. Pretty much anything that noise is going to reverberate off of when driving past. I mentioned I thought it could be the flex pipes, heat shields or another exhaust component but I could not pinpoint. Service advisor stated it could be the wastegate that rattles and it's normal. Has anyone been told this or experienced this?

mcfarlrm · May 24, 2022

Update.... Picked it up from the dealer. Rattle was the flex pipe and not wastegate. Worm clamp TSB did not work so new flex pipes have been ordered and back ordered of course. They mentioned it is a different OEM sku that has been updated to correct the issue to replace the factory installed OEM sku. Only time will tell if that is indeed the case.

twin001 · May 24, 2022

flex sections. The only remedy is to replace them with aftermarket ones, regardless of what the dealer tells you. Lethal Performance has new midpipes, or you can go full Thermal exhaust.

mcfarlrm · May 25, 2022

twin001 said:

The worm clamp that they installed actually make the rattle worse!!! Do you have a link to the midpipes?

twin001 · May 27, 2022

Thermal and Lethal brands here https://www.lethalperformance.com/s...coboost-cars/2020-explorer-st/exhaust/h-pipes

mcfarlrm · May 28, 2022

twin001 said:

Thinking about purchasing the entire Thermal cat back exhaust that includes the flex pipes. This looks to be the one of the few true cat back exhaust systems out there compared to Borla, MBRP, etc. Do you know if the sound is more on the low growl spectrum? Don't want the investment to sound like a ricer fart box. Also, not a big fan of the thermal tips so wondering if those could be easily swapped out. I would probably receive the exhaust before Ford even receives the backordered flex pipes that will most likely not remedy the issue.

GearHead_1 · May 28, 2022

I've been completely satisfied with the Thermal R&D product, very well made. The flex pipes are a different design than OE and seem to be very nice. The sound is a bit loud at first start-up but settles down after a minute or so. Not loud when driving unless the pedal is on the floor then it's got a real growl but it isn't a ricer with a fart can sound. There is zero drone. I'd highly recommend this product.

mcfarlrm · May 28, 2022

GearHead_1 said:

I've been completely satisfied with the Thermal R&D product, very well made. The flex pipes are a different design than OE and seem to be very nice. The sound is a bit loud at first start-up but settles down after a minute or so. Not loud when driving unless the pedal is on the floor then it's got a real growl but it isn't a ricer with a fart can sound. There is zero drone. I'd highly recommend this product.

Do the flex pipes rattle at all?

GearHead_1 · May 28, 2022

No, completely different design. They are a mesh and have been used for years. Why Ford decided to use the flex joint they now use is probably a Dollars and Cents issue but I believe it to be an inferior design.

Cdubya · Jul 2, 2022

One of my OE flex sections failed after less than 3 years. If it's rattling, you can be sure it's going to fail from all that vibration/movement--just a cheap and crappy flex section. Since most of my exhaust is stock except axle back, I opted for the Lethal Performance mid pipe. Easy install and fits perfectly. Rattle gone.

powerby50 · Nov 7, 2022

twin001 said:

How big a job is the flex pipes? Can I do this with ramps on my driveway or do I need a lift ?

GearHead_1 · Nov 7, 2022

You can definitely change flex pipes with a set of ramps or a pair of floor jacks and stands.

Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

Wastegate Rattle??

mcfarlrm

Member

mcfarlrm

Member

twin001

Member

mcfarlrm

Member

twin001

Member

mcfarlrm

Member

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club

mcfarlrm

Member

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club

Cdubya

1000 Post Club

powerby50

Member

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club

Explorer ST Posts