Exhaust Resonator on 99 SW

Seems that I have a bad resonator. Dealer wanted to repair but I told them
kto hold off for $$ reasons. I got a booK ( Haynes) and seems it is very
lacking in what it has to offer in the way of info. I have read elsewhere
that the resonator is not replaceable without cutting and welding etc. Will
a regular exhaust shop maybe take of of it then if it is just a simple cut
and weld like that or is there more to it? Can the damn thing just be cut
out and straight pipe put in it's place. I am in Ca. so it might be an issue
when it needs to be smogged again. Don't need any of those hassles.... Any
help appreciated....
TIA

 

First thing that came to mind was that it's just for noise
suppression. So far it appears to be just that. So, being an item I
could not ignore(depending on how loud I listen to the radio) I would
try to repair it. If it failed, I'm guessing you mean it developed
a whole. I would use some muffler wrap on it to hold it over till I
"had" to repair it.

Now as far as inpections go, well a wrap could be considered a
temperary patch of the exhaust system, and if they can not get a valid
sample I'm sure they will fail you. I chance it. I mean if you 'fix
it' and it holds exhaust back, and out the designed flow path, could
it be considered tampering?

A google search turned up the typical warnings about a failed
resonator, same kind of warnings you get with open mufflers in fall:
http://www.urlbee.com?349 search for 'resonator' theres the typical
warning about broken ones could lead towards a fire under the car.

BTW, here is a page where people talk about replacing it yourself:
http://www.urlbee.com?350

Wish you luck, been years myself since I had to work on any exhaust
piping(was a toyota thing), and with my saturn I seem to come accross
electrical problems mostly.

later,

 

I also have a 99sw2 and my resonator went bad. It sounded like the
muffler was shot because it's right under the front seats. I took it to
the dealer and originally was told around $250. When I picked it up, it
was free because it was a saturn defect.I didnt argue and left quickly.
A mechanic told me it happens alot on older style resonators. The old
style looks like a small cheap narrow muffler. The new one is a long
welded one that looks like a long cat converter only much better made
than the old one. I don't remenber if it's a one piece welded exhaust.
Hope this helps