HKS Hi power TI exhaust Rattle!!
 

So my HKS exhaust purchased from THMotorsports has a rattle thats driving me nuts. I thought at first that it was the x-member. However i installed washers to space it out from hitting my Stillen exhaust. After inspection it was clear that something is loose in the HKS muffler. Here is my email chain with THmotorsports.

If anyone has any suggestions of how to proceed, please let me know!


-----Original Message-----
From: EXT-Magruder, Ryan R [mailto:Ryan.R.Magruder@boeing.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2011 12:23 PM
To: customerservice@thmotorsports.com
Subject: HKS Hi power TI exhaust for 370z

Rob,

Hello we spoke recently about my exhaust system having a rattle noise. I had a certified nissan dealer both remove my old system and install the new.
Plus investigate the rattle noise afterwards. We all came to the same conclusion that passenger side muffler of the HKS Hi Power TI exhaust for my 370z has something loose in it. There is a rattle/vibration noise from this exhaust when I drive that I can not solve. I would appriciate any assistance as I was sold on this exhaust by your staff team because of its quality and HKS reputation. This was the first purchase I have made with you all and any assistance will ensure future business.

If allowed, I would like to purchase another exhaust from you all. And once it arrives I will box up the HKS, mail it back. And when you all get your warranty back just credit my account.

Please let me know what you decide.

Here is a link to my vid - please listen for a metal like vibration when I rev. It really is hard to hear in this vid( set to 720p and Skip to 1:07), however at 1:10-1:12 on decel after rev there is a metal like vibration. I can attempt to take some in car vids, and underneath with when I bang on the muffler you can hear the noise only on the right side.

‪370z HKS Hi Power Exhaust Rev‬‏ - YouTube

Thanks for your assistance!
----------------------------------------------------------------

Hey,


Thanks for the email, I will forward this off the correct person along with my notes and see what can be resolved if anything. Im hoping this can be handled as a warranty issue. The only issue with warranty work is that they have you send the exhaust in, it is inspected bla bla and then a replacement is sent back out to you. I will keep you updated/



Thanks in advance,

Rob - Customer Service
1-800-959-0145
customerservice@thmotorsports.com
------------------------------------------------------------------
My last reply -

Thank you for the response. However, I do not have a second exhaust or a second car. It would seem I will be forced to buy yet another exhaust system while I wait for the HKS to be fixed.

"Thanks for the email, I will forward this off the correct person along with my notes and see what can be resolved if anything. Im hoping this can be handled as a warranty issue."

^ Seriously? Hoping? I buy a $2100 dollar exhaust with a lifetime warranty, and a little after a month of it being installed I have a rattle in the muffler! And there is doubt that HKS will back their product? I cant believe you guys actually recommend this stuff if so.


Ryan Magruder
787 MRSA/SST ME
425-923-5504

wow, ive never had any issues with any HKS products ive purchased. loved my dragger II on my last car. both of them.

Most recent reply.
----------------------------
Hey Ryan,



No need for hostility as it will not get you very far. I am working on having this issue resolved as a warranty issue. The more information I get, it will be forwarded to you. I said I am hoping this can be resolved as a warranty issue. That being said, it will be better to have it resolved as a warranty issue rather than a defective issue. Warranty work is bit faster than defective issues. HKS is a great brand and one of highest quality exhaust systems we sell. The reason your is making noise, well I cannot answer that just yet. I will have more information for you soon.



Thanks in advance,

Rob - Customer Service
1-800-959-0145
customerservice@thmotorsports.com
--------------------------------------------------------
I didnt think i was being hostile... I said thanks to the guy many times.

really though man, this is the first HKS exhaust issue ive seen.

best of luck with it though.

Thanks!

wow... sending the exhaust in... are u kidding me?? who has the time, patience for that. ridiculous

THM is just following HKS warranty claim procedure:

HKS USA Warranty Policy

sucks but you'd be hard pressed to find any major company that will send a replacement part prior to verifying the defective part.

you don't have your old stillen or oem exhaust to temporarily swap in?

Id rather buy another exhaust.. and wait till my HKS gets fixed and figure it out from there. I can clearly hear the noise every time i get on it. It really bothers me but.. maybe im out of line here.

I figure when spending $2000 on an exhaust it shouldn't have lose material in the muffler.

you are right it shouldnt! but this isnt a common occurance. hell some companys would have just said, oh well. buyer beware.....

and some companies would have said, "no problem we will send you another muffler section. sorry for the inconvenience."

I'm sure you've looked into getting a refund through paypal or cc? Hopefully it's not too late. That is if the vendor doesn't resolve the problem.

I have yet to look into that. I really hope it doesn't come to that. But after being told to check my attitude or risk not getting helped, i may need to.

did you/they remove the emissions canister shield on the passenger side? This would cause a rattle.....

Unfortunately i let go of the stock system long ago. My stillen still has debris in it from when my berk HFC's grenaded. I could find a shop to cut it up, clean it out and weld it back together again.

^^^^BINGO!

This is what caused my rattle.(Forgot to remove it)

FYI....it's on the passenger's side.

Unfortunately this has already been removed. I have nekid fuel lines showin :eekdance:

Quick vid of the rattle. Let me know what you think, maybe im smokin something... When i hit the drivers side.. it sounds completely soild. I can hit it hard enough to rattle the other muffler though.

‪370z HKS Exhaust rattle‬‏ - YouTube

Cant embed for what ever reason..

I've had my HKS on for about a month or so and haven't had any issues at all. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope things will get worked out for you, pretty frustrating situation.

didnt HKS USA pack up and move back to Japan? might be one reason its harder to get a replacement.

THMotorsports did tell me HKS USA was leaving back to japan when i purchased. However, they used this as a selling point saying that ill have a rare exhaust, and it would be worth the investment :ugh2:

In the end i loved the look, and the idea of having HKS quality and name associated to my car.

The sound is growing on me..

Todays update*

I sent an email with the video posted above and this was his reply -


*EDIT - I sent THMotorsports another email with the video i posted above and this was his response.

"Hey Ryan,



After watching the last video you sent me. Have you tried pulling out the silencer to see if the noise goes away? Please let me know, it almost seems like the silencer could be the culprit. Also, warranty work will be handled by HKS Japan that is correct. The item would be shipped to them and then inspected and shipped back over. Please pull out the silencer and see if it resolves the issue.



Thanks in advance,

Rob - Customer Service
1-800-959-0145
customerservice@thmotorsports.com
www.thmotorsports.com"

There's no silencer

That's not a silencer, it's the flange that the tips bolt onto. lol

HKS will still be distributed by ProMotion and Motovicity still so there will still be a presence in the US

Ok, so THmotorsports is saying that i will need to send it to japan for inspection. I wonder if that is an honest mistake or do they just not want me to return it.


And yes no silencers as i was told long ago. Im just blown away at the lack of product knowledge and willing to get this solved. This looks horrible for anyone involved in my opinion. Im about ready to just contact HKS and not shop with THM anymore.

Buyer beware.. If you have problems with your aftermarket exhaust you may need to ship it out for repairs. Keep your old exhaust for this reason like i should have.