Somewhere along the way, we backed into a curb and pushed the muffler forward about an inch. This resulted in the long pipe between the cat and the muffler bending downward so that it is about 8" lower than it should be. It sometimes drags when we go over a speed bump.

I have thought about using a come-along and a floor jack to try to straighten it back up, but I'm afraid I might break the exhaust manifold or something. I don't want to spend 700 dollars for a new pipe! Any ideas on how I can fix this? It's a 2004 Camry LE 4 cyl auto.

Thanks!

 

I would venture to say that I new pipe can be had for much less than that. I can think of two easy options.

A. A junk yard car-part.com is a great resource
B. Have and exhaust shop make a section of tubing for you, to replace the area where the bend is.

 

Well, I have since looked under 2 other Camrys and their pipes look
exactly like mine! So, I guess it's normal. It looks like there is a groove in the floor pan where the pipe should ride. But it is quite a bit lower than the groove, especially back between the rear wheels.
Both of the other Camrys were like that. Weird.

 

I have now seen 2 more Camrys making a total of 4 with the hangy pipe. Hey Toyota mechanics, WHY ARE THEY LIKE THAT????
There's plenty of room for the pipe to be mounted higher.

I can hear my pipe drag a little when I go over a speed bump. Surely, the other 4 are doing it too. Maybe they fix them like that so they can sell more pipes???