Rattling 250sl exaust sytem

[250SLFranco]

The exaust system on my 250sl is rattling against the body...quite an annoyance.  I can feel it vibrating against the transmission tunnel on the passenger side.  I have checked all of the hangers and they are all in place and in good order.  Any ideas?
Thanks for your help.

[Cees Klumper]

If your system is welded the only things I can suggest are renewing the rubber 'donut' hangers, changing their size (there are different diameters, changing the distance from the body), or examining your engine and sub frame mounts, perhaps they are worn causing the engine to sit different from how it should be. If the system is clamped you can change a lot more about how the pipes are orientated towards the body. Good luck, this can be an annoyance.

[ja17]

Good advice from Cees, also check the motor mounts themselves.  Also check the aluminum heat shield above the exhaust at the passenger foot area. They can come loose and rattle on the exhaust. After everthing else is checked, the exhaust itself may have been hung incorrectly. Proper clearances and fit must be achieved before the final weld-up. With the suspension loaded (car weight on the wheels and  the suspension) closely inspect the clearance of the exahust from engine to tail pipes. 

[250SLFranco]

Good Advice ja17! After inspection, it was indeed the heat shield that was rattling against the body and the exaust.  I have temorarily tightened the heat shield against the exaust.  Any suggestions as to the permanent fix?  I havent put the car on the rack to do a thorough inspection of how the heat shield attaches to the body.  Thanks again...the rattle was nerve racking!

[ja17]

Hello Franco,

Three phillips head sheet metal screws attach the heat shield to the floor pan.  They are normally accessable with screwdriver between the two exhaust tubes. Hope your exhaust tubes are not in the way of the holes. Take a flashlight and find the original mounting holes.