I assume it is a Volvo muffler, though there is nothing embossed in the metal
Yesterday it got loud.

The mid pipe---the one concecting the front muffler, under the axel, rusted at the clamp and separated and broke off at the rear muffler inlet.

I pulled the rear muffler off and was supprised to find that it was basically solid. It had the usual rust at the end seams. The tail pipe is fine, though the clamp has rusted thru. The inlet and the outlet are solid.

The astonishing thing: this muffler was on the car when I bought it used ---- in 1997. I've driven 120K+ miles since then.

In 2010 I bought a full Starla set - from Cat back to tail pipe expecting to need it soon---it's been on the shelf for 11 years.

The replacement Starla looks and feels like maybe it'll go 3 or 4 years. That has been my experience with Starla/Walker replacements on the other Volvo 240s I've owned.

So....They don't make them like that anymore. 24 years+ and still solid.

87 245, 5 Spd. 224K+/-

Axle pipe is first to go in my experience.

In many cases, I could have had a few more miles from the other parts just replacing the axle pipe, clamps, and hangers, whether Volvo brand or Starla, but even at my rate (basically weekend time) the labor is more valuable than money saved by doing the job piecemeal. In other words, I've never once had to replace a rear muffler due to its failure, even at the inlet and outlet stress points. Regardless of brand. Isn't that why the muffler is always promoted as a guaranteed item?
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home one day.

"Axle pipe is first to go in my experience."

One time I found that a newly established repair shop, 2 miles over the hill.
Easy biking to and from. My 80 sedan needed a muffler. I had bought the full set, and went over and asked, 'will you do it'. Sure-- good price and me no have to crawl under. Great!

Drove it over, biked back home.
When I picked it up, the nice guy said: 'that mid pipe was in pretty good shape, so I used the old one...."saved you some money".

What could I say...rip it apart and use the new pipe I supplied???

Well, as you can guess, less than a year later and that 'looked OK pipe' failed.

Cheers

The '80. Is that the Forest Green one I saw in front of Staples some time ago? You still have it?
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Never laugh at your wife's choices. You are one of them.

Still have it. Not on the road---on blocks in the garage.

Make sure when installing all exhaust pipes. to leave the clamps loose until every rubber hanger is in place.