The effect of the joint condition of automotive muffler shell and baffle on radiated noise from muffler shell Is studied. Shell vibration characteristics, especially shift In natural frequency and change in of response amplitude, was identified from finite element analysis and modal tests for various joint conditions between shell and baffle. When there is heat expansion and inner pressure from the exhaust 9as in the muffler with elliptical cross section, the shell expands out, and construct gap with baffles. This gap causes more degrees of freedom of shell vibration and natural frequency shift. By welding the muffler shell to the baffles or using a dual shell muffler, the radiated noise problem could be mitigated supplying more a rigid joint and damping, respectively.