I am replacing the muffler and cannot figure out how to get the muffler off the rubber donuts that attach to the rusty hangers. Is there trick, like removing the muffler and donut from the hanger? Screwdriver? Pliers? Just cut the rubber and buy new ones? Thanks, BB
My past experience (with other rubber hangers, as I've never needed to do the Prius muffler yet) is that they are a challenge to remove. You can't drive one over the end of a pin using impact (like a hammer) because it just bounces. It takes some way of applying a steady force, such as a gear puller driving against the end of the pin. A silicone lube (like brake caliper/dielectric grease), even an amazingly small amount, wiped over the knobby pin end will help the hanger go over it much more easily. If there's room to work and good angles, maybe something as simple as a pry bar could do it. -Chap
cut and buy new ones. If they are over 8 yrs old, it will likely be impossible to get hangers back into the rubber anyways.
Do like I do when I can't figure something out, sit there and stare at it and look around the garage at what tool might work. Keep trying, you shouldn't have to cut it. Lube is def a good idea. Just keep looking for different ways to apply leverage to it and you will eventually get it.
I've never been quite sure just what's in WD-40 or its long-term effect on rubber (petroleum ingredients often aren't good). Maybe it's fine and I just don't know it. I'll vouch for the silicone dielectric/caliper grease, though. It doesn't even take enough to be visible - the effect will amaze you. But it probably still won't save you the need to rig something for a strong steady pull, unless you've got monster thumbs. -Chap
