Dragging noise with a Band

[Ladybug]

Dragging noise with a bang.
Need your help trying to figure out where this noise maybe coming from.
I take the car up to 100km let my foot off the gas and there is this dragging noise, as if my tail pipe is dragging on the pavement. I continue to let the vehicle slow down not touching the gas or shifter. Once it slows to about 70 km/h there is a bang. Sounds like it is coming from the middle towards the back of the car.
After that, I shift down say to turn the corner 3rd gear and there is another bang, but louder then the first bang.
Any ideas of what would make this happen. The shop thought it was the transmission mount and changed that, but the sound is still there. I wasn't able to mimic the sound until I got the car back on Friday, and once I did I drove it right back to the shop. The mechanic and I drove it and he too was able to hear the sound. Now he will have to investigate what might be the cause of it. Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks in advance. I drive a Kia Sportage 2001 4x4 5spd. Thanks for all your help. this problem is driving me crazy, besides costing me $$ I sure hope its not the transmissiion. Help!

[mgbgt1972]

Thr 'dragging' noise could be a loose heat shield on the exhaust, they are only spot welded in place and have a history of rusting loose, creating a rattle/grinding sound from the middle of the car, as for the bang i might be a loose or rusted thru exhaust mount, or the tail pipe could have rusted thru, another known issue with the sporty. If you hit a bump, turn a corner or lurch the car while shifting the exhaust will move possibly hitting the frame or body, the exhaust is held up at the rear by the tail pipe mount, if the tail pipe has gone south then there will be movement,.

[Ladybug]

I just had a whole new exhaust system put on last month. Because I did think it was the tail pipe dragging on the Hwy. But the sound is still there. The funny thing is, it only makes this dragging sound after you let off of the gas. Then the drag sound, followed by the bang around 70km.
We have had it up on the hoist and shook the car pretty good to look for anything loose or clanging. Nothing! I'm wondering, if my timing belt is on the way out. What happens when they start to go? Are there any foretell sounds that its going? How does one know if it is the timing belt?
Thanks again.

[mgbgt1972]

What about the cat? When you had a new exhaust system put in as it from the header back or from the cat back, i'll lay odds you just got a new muff and tail pipe, leaving the old cat and the old heat shields on the cat and the pipe before the cat in place, you wouldn't be able to hear the rattle by 'shaking' the car on a hoist, you need to get a screw driver and pry away at the heat shields to see if one is loose, it only takes one of the spot welds to fail to cause the noise you described.

[Ladybug]

you are right I had only the muffler and tail piple replaced. What would cause the big bang noise? and When I shift down the second bang? the Cat was making a strong smell before all this started. I had that checked and they said it wasn't plugged. I'll call first thing in the morning and ask the shop to check out the heat shield see if it is part of the problem. Thanks again.