There has been so much talk about the resonator I finally decided to see what it was all about. Please keep in mind the steps I discribe apply to a Malibu Maxx SS.
Today I set out to get at the resonator. Took my time and was pleasantly surprised how easy it was given the strange location GM put it. For those of you who don't know about the thing, it is a plastic tube about 3 inches in diameter with a couple of odd shaped tanks attached. I have heard two explanations for this thing. One, it is to reduce the noise of the air being sucked into the airbox, and two, it is to somehow prevent water from getting to the airbox. Number one makes more sense to me. If you get into water as high as the air tube, you are going to have more problems then just water injestion.
Now to the removal.
To make it a little easier I removed the airbox, MAF, and tube to to the throttle-body. This process is discribed in a number of places so I won't bore you. To play it safe I disconnected the battery. No harm in protecting against inadvertent shorts.
Next attacking the resonator. It is attached by two rubber grommets and easily pulls away from these spots. The tricky parts of this project are a bolt that is hidden behind the resonator which is attached to the frame and removing the resonator from its placement.
First remove the headlight, very easy, two 10MM bolts on top and then disconnect the wiring harness.
Second, jack up right front tire and remove. Make sure brakes are set and tires are blocked.
Third, remove the plastic fittings that hold the front of the inner wheel well cover from the body and frame. No need to remove them all, just the two inner fittings (top and bottom) and five that attach to the front bumper cover and fender.
Now it gets a little tricky. Fourth, remove three 10MM bolts that hold the bumper cover to the fender. They may be covered with paint so the 10MM might be a tight fit.
Fifth, remove the hidden bolt holding the resonator to the frame. You can reach this 10MM bolt by gently pulling the inside wheel well cover away from the frame. I had a ratcheting box wrench the made it relatively accessable.
Sixth, the resonator should now be totaly loose. Gently pull the bumper cover away from the car and lift out the resonator.
Reverse steps 4-1 and reconnect the airbox and battery.
Unfortunately I did not have my camera handy. I'll take a pic of the resonator so you can see what it looks like whole.
We will see if a little more cold air adds to performance.
Take your time and be patient. I completed the project in 2-3 hours. It was thearpy since local football teams are terrible this year.
Regards,
JD - Cheers
Today I set out to get at the resonator. Took my time and was pleasantly surprised how easy it was given the strange location GM put it. For those of you who don't know about the thing, it is a plastic tube about 3 inches in diameter with a couple of odd shaped tanks attached. I have heard two explanations for this thing. One, it is to reduce the noise of the air being sucked into the airbox, and two, it is to somehow prevent water from getting to the airbox. Number one makes more sense to me. If you get into water as high as the air tube, you are going to have more problems then just water injestion.
Now to the removal.
To make it a little easier I removed the airbox, MAF, and tube to to the throttle-body. This process is discribed in a number of places so I won't bore you. To play it safe I disconnected the battery. No harm in protecting against inadvertent shorts.
Next attacking the resonator. It is attached by two rubber grommets and easily pulls away from these spots. The tricky parts of this project are a bolt that is hidden behind the resonator which is attached to the frame and removing the resonator from its placement.
First remove the headlight, very easy, two 10MM bolts on top and then disconnect the wiring harness.
Second, jack up right front tire and remove. Make sure brakes are set and tires are blocked.
Third, remove the plastic fittings that hold the front of the inner wheel well cover from the body and frame. No need to remove them all, just the two inner fittings (top and bottom) and five that attach to the front bumper cover and fender.
Now it gets a little tricky. Fourth, remove three 10MM bolts that hold the bumper cover to the fender. They may be covered with paint so the 10MM might be a tight fit.
Fifth, remove the hidden bolt holding the resonator to the frame. You can reach this 10MM bolt by gently pulling the inside wheel well cover away from the frame. I had a ratcheting box wrench the made it relatively accessable.
Sixth, the resonator should now be totaly loose. Gently pull the bumper cover away from the car and lift out the resonator.
Reverse steps 4-1 and reconnect the airbox and battery.
Unfortunately I did not have my camera handy. I'll take a pic of the resonator so you can see what it looks like whole.
We will see if a little more cold air adds to performance.
Take your time and be patient. I completed the project in 2-3 hours. It was thearpy since local football teams are terrible this year.
Regards,
JD - Cheers
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