Pressure in ears after driving, hearing feels significantly effected after driving. Can’t hear as well. Replaced donut gasket and tightened spring bolts as tight as I could. Don’t think it’s working. Do I just have sensitive ears or what? There does seem to be some condensation that escapes from the exhaust flange. Would a leak hurt my ears? This has been driving me crazy and I’ve resorted to driving with ear plugs. I’ve tried everything I can. I took it to two mechanics and they said everything was fine. I ordered a new stock muffler but I like the sound the tenabe makes. Just not the pressure on my ears. Help please.

 

You could have sensitive ears or there could be a leak. If 2 mechanics looked at it is probably okay but still could have a small leak.

Does the sound do that to anyone else?

When I got my resonator deleted I thought the car sounded great and wasn't much louder then stock but as soon as my wife got in she said "what did you do, why is it so loud in here". So it definitely could be a you thing.

Was anything else changed on the car at the same time?

 

Just that rear flange donut gasket and spring bolts. I don't own a torque wrench so couldn't specifically get it to 16 lb ft just tightened it as hard as I could. The spring bolts are flush, Should I be able to see the gasket at all? Do you think I didn't clean off the remnants of the old gasket enough? Should I get a torque wrench and tighten it correctly? I'm just a little salty I spent over $300 bucks and this is happening.

 

I seriously doubt that a small exhaust leak at the muffler would be what you are hearing. The muffler is such a distance from the driver that a gasket leak would be un-noticed.
Get the car on a lift or over an oil change pit and feel around for any leaks while the car is running...front to back.
Good luck.

 

^agree. Though the Fit does seem to trap sound under the rear trunk area and make it resonate into the car. Soooo maybe a small leak would be heard???

Also no need to buy a torque wrench. Unless you were using a 1/4" ratchet 16 lb/ft is not a lot. A few good yeet's will get it tight enough!! It's not a spark plug or head stud and it's not into aluminum so not as critical IMO.

 

I have the same Tanabe system T70143A I believe. I reused the original gasket and I don't believe that the sound change has the potential to damage my hearing.

I think there's something else going on.

 

I was told I need new transmission and engine mounts recently, would that cause any increase in the volume the engine makes?

 

Absolutely!! Even changing to a stiffer mount can change the harmonics.

 

Holy Sh*t!

I'm a science guy and I use an iterative approach to my problem solving process. You seem to be jumping from from one extreme to another.

 

Damn :/
i was quoted like $1300 to replace them