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Muffler shops provide unique service
Muffler shops established themselves in the USA and Australia because of their ability to fabricate exhaust systems in-house using universal mufflers and straight tube. Many of these specialist repairers across the country have banded together as members of the Exhaust Systems Professional Association (ESPA).
Today, these specialist shops also fit direct-fit mufflers and pipes supplied by the exhaust manufacturers, but the skills that were natured in the '70s are still used to separate these specialists from general repairers.
What some repair shops may see as a quick way to a headache, muffler shops see as a way to gain customers and most importantly, keep their staff trained in the latest technical applications.
Muffler shops quite often carry out exhaust work on vintage, veteran and special vehicles where vehicle owners want a professional job where over-the-counter parts are often not obtainable. A complete system for an Austin Healey, some special Jaguar mufflers, or a set of extractors for a Chevy Corvette, its all in a day's work for ESPA members.
Every muffler shop that is an ESPA member has a pipe bender, welding equipment and a stock of tube and brackets etc and the necessary skills to fabricate exhausts.
At an ESPA member's
shop each vehicle is inspected thoroughly by staff that know what they
are looking for. They go beyond the obvious rust holes and look for weak
or thin parts that are potential problems that should be rectified now
before they become a danger to vehicle occupants through exhaust gas leakage.
Inspection of emission control systems is available at most shops and
they carry out heat tests and back pressure tests where required to determine
the condition of catalytic converters. Noise level testing is also available
at muffler shops where certain state legislation requirements apply.
Tighter controls over noise levels and emissions have opened up a new field of service for muffler shops with their ability in rectifying catalytic converter and other emissions related problems.
Another service often made available by ESPA members is heavy vehicle exhaust service through their welding and fabricating skills. Performance exhausts are also right up the muffler shop's alley.
The real spirit of muffler shops can best be found at ESPA as it is the only organisation in the world solely representing muffler and exhaust specialists and is dedicated to reaffirming to the public the worth of the traditional professional skills provided by each ESPA member as required under the association's Code Of Practice.