How to Make a Muffler Quieter

Eventually your favorite riding spot is going to enact decibel restrictions on your dirt bike or ATV to comply with strict noise-pollution laws. To comply, you will need to repack your muffler to make it quieter. With age, the packing inside of a muffler wears out and lessens back pressure on the engine. Although this creates more horsepower, it creates more noise. Whether you need to comply with local laws or you just want to quiet your vehicle down for your own ears' sake, repacking the muffler is the best way to go.

Things You'll Need

  • Number 30 drill bit
  • Electric drill
  • Repacking kit
  • Masking tape
  • Riveter tool
  • Gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the inlet end cap from the end of your muffler. To do so, place a number 30 drill bit into a drill and drill out the rivets that secure the end cap to the muffler housing. If the end cap does not remove easily from the muffler with the rivets removed, tap on the end cap with a rubber mallet until it pops out.

    • 2

      Pull the old fiberglass packing out of the muffler with your fingers. Wear gloves to prevent getting fiberglass in your skin. Discard the old packing.

    • 3

      Wrap the fiberglass around the core tube supplied with the repacking kit. It is important that you wrap the fiberglass tightly around the core tube to ensure proper sound filtering. Secure the fiberglass to the core with masking tape. A strip on both ends and the center will do.

    • 4

      Push the packing into the muffler. The fit should be tight. If the fit is not tight, wrap more fiberglass around the core, re-tape and place the packing into the muffler.

    • 5

      Place the end cap back onto the muffler and replace the rivets with a riveter tool.