[illinijeff]

Just had the rear axle recall done. When my daughter came home with the vehicle from the dealership where I had the work done, the muffler was missing. No evidence of anything falling off. Clamp to the upstream pipe seems as if it was neatly removed and the hangers are there. Called the shop back and they say removal of the muffler was not required to do the job and they were stumped.

Drove back over and they tried a new story - the muffler had been stolen off the vehicle in their lot. I said "really?!" After some further thinking and trying to call the tech who did the work, there was a reported vague recollection of the tech working adjacent that there may have been a windstar with a muffler about to fall off. I ask, show me the notes and/or the muffler. Can't produce either. I do have maintenance writeup from the tech where he dutifully recorded fluid levels, tread condition, brake pad thickness, etc. No mention of any exhaust issues.

The service manager mumbled something about me going to a muffler shop and then about splitting the cost. I said no, i want it back they way I left it, and so now we are waiting for the tech to come back to work Monday to see if he can clear up the mystery.


Question - I see posts where the added axle brackets are inferring with the muffler/exhaust pipe. Could this be part of the issue? Was the tech trying to work the issue?