Lil' Baby Heat Shield... should I replace?

[mikebike357]

A loose heat shield has been driving me nuts for quite some time. After removing the squeeking brake pads this evening, the Forester was up in the air so I took another crack at finding the loose bugger. Turns out, it's the lil' baby shield that covers the junction of the header to the cat pipe. It had rusted/sheared off on one side... beyond repair. Do I need to replace this lil' bugger? It's literally no bigger than the palm of my hand.

 

[Evan]

you might want to try clamping it down to the exhaust with a hose clamp. the cat gets real damn hot and should probably be covered.

 

[ReZPunK]

not unless you like roasting marshmallows on an open fire. ;D

car fires can happen, but usually i just gets real hot on the floor.

i would find a way to replace it.

 

[mikebike357]

The shield didn't shield the top, only the bottom....

 

[Mighty Subie]

The shield didn't shield the top, only the bottom....

Don't want to get that road too hot...

 

[mikebike357]

I wonder if it was there for more of a "protection" piece vs. a heat shield. I think it broke loose while off roading.... there were some scrapes on it...

 

[Mighty Subie]

That's more than likely. A hose clamp should work

 

[Pedro]

cut it off, then throw it in the street

 

[Shorty]

I'm with Pedro. The lower covers are for when some moron parts in long dry grass and idles it for like 30min.

 

[Shorty]

parts. I ment parks, not parts.

 

[Runnah]

See whats around it. If there is anything meltable nearby, leave it on. If not, consider it a diet for your car.

 

[mikebike357]

Well, i ripped the lil' farker off... i checked with a suby parts guy and he said that there's a lower and upper... Hmm... I didn't see any upper... plus something is still rattling a little... I need to get back under and look to see what's shakin.

 

[mikebike357]

I've had it... It's still rattling. Appointment time at Patriot and burn up some Subaru Bucks. Who it from STM that works there in the tech area?

 

[Shorty]

Rip 'em all off and get some fireproof racing shoes.

 

[Shorty]

I've had it... It's still rattling.

 

[jeffcrider]

i had the same problem with the shields on the headers...

i went under there with a metal grinder and cut off every shield under there.... well i think i left the second cat shield on, it was still pretty sturdy.

I've driven over 10,000 miles like this and had NO MORE ANNOYING PAIN IN THE REAR RATTLING!!!!

i was sooo sick of that dang rattle...

 

[jeffcrider]

i had the same problem with the shields on the headers...

i went under there with a metal grinder and cut off every shield under there.... well i think i left the second cat shield on, it was still pretty sturdy.

I've driven over 10,000 miles like this and had NO MORE ANNOYING PAIN IN THE REAR RATTLING!!!!

i was sooo sick of that dang rattle...

 

[Mighty Subie]

yeah heat shields can be so annoying when they rust/break/bend or just decide to be a pain in the ass and not stay tight!

 

[Mighty Subie]

yeah heat shields can be so annoying when they rust/break/bend or just decide to be a pain in the ass and not stay tight!