Rattling heat shield fix.
 

Hey everyone,

I just fixed my rattling heat shield. I hate rattles and it had rusted around the bolts like they all do, and was hanging loose. I didn't feel like just removing it, as everything is so close in the engine bay I didn't want the extra heat ruining anything.

You will need.

10 mm socket for top bolts
6 or 7 mm socket for bottom bolts (I could not get mine out..too rusted)
12 washers 1/16th thick, 1 in OD, 1/4 ID
6 metric bolts 10mm head 5mm thread size (Just match up old with new)

Here is what I did.

1) Took out 4 top bolts (Luckily they were easy after some PB Blaster) Bottom bolts would not come out for me.

[IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...T/boltsout.jpg[/IMG]

2) Move heat shield enough to slide one washer underneath each hole, and line up with mounting hole on header.

[IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...VT/washer2.jpg[/IMG]

3) Use one washer with each new bolt, and tighten down. IF you can't get the lower bolts out, this will hold the heat shield tightly enough to keep it from rattling.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...VT/boltsin.jpg

[IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...ltsinclose.jpg[/IMG]

I hope this helps.

I nearly did the same thing shortly after I bought the car. Easy, cheap, and effective.

You'd think they would come reinforced from the factory...any make and model car I've ever had has always had a rattling heat shield. Cheapest bid wins the part contract though.

i plan on just header wrapped and getting rid of the heat shield all together

be sure to do it on the bottom bolts as well ;-)
[EDIT]Ok i just saw you couldn't get them out

I hated not being able to get them out, with my car OCD it makes me crazy, but as long as it's not rattling in about 4 years I'll forget about them getting the best of me..lol [bigcry]

Mine rattles but mine is split ...well cracked...don't think the washers would help.

Depends on where it's cracked if it's loose around the bolts like mine was, it may help a little, but the crack might lead me to a new shield, or do what others have done, and wrap the header. I would like to do that, just for the ease of access to the lower hose, and PCV. But my cat bolts that go to the header are so rusted, I don't think I can get it off unless I go to a shop.

I had thought of buying a new shield but heard they were pricey. Would like a ceramic coated header for looks but was told they don't hold back much heat. Header wrap is probably alright just makes it look like a mummy....LOL I have no cat since we don't have emissions here.

thats funny, I just did this to mine yesterday. I was putting a new valve cover gasket on it and decided to find my exhaust rattles. As it turns out the main source was the cat bracket. It was broke. Now I need to get a bracket for it. Sure is nice driving around without that anoying rattling going on on take off.