4KQ Rear Muffler--Design Defect??

[Jpinkowish@aol.com]

Greetings 4KQ listers(and others with opinions/facts on this subject):

My last two rear muffler replacements failed not from muffler body rust, but
from cracking in the weld where the tailpipe is attached to the muffler.  Both
mufflers lasted 30 months(and the same mileage + or - 500).  Both were the
standard Ansa after market rear muffler.  Driving is in the NE of the US, 80%
highway, 15% city, and 5% other.

The tailpipe is exceptionally long.  While the twin tips are cool, they are
essentially a heavy weight at the end of a long lever arm.  The fulcrum of
that lever is the weld joint.  I don't have the Q here to peer under, but why
can't the muffler be moved closer to the driver's side, reducing the length of
the tailpipe?

Any similar experiences out there with the Ansa or other mufflers?  Any shade
tree fixes or fixes backed by firm data?  

Do we need to charter a jet and go storm the Ansa factory in Italy demanding a
product redesign, a free muffler, and a decent pasta dinner with a respectable
bottle of Pinot Grigio for our troubles?

Don't let these silly dino/synthetic oil discussions take over the q-list.
It's time to for the 4KQ listers to rise up and retake your rightful
bandwidth!!

Jan Pinkowish
'85 4Ksq