yep just like the title says, only i didnt plan to do it intentionally, i was coming home from school when all of a sudden i see a big chuck of metal fly out from under my car, i didnt see it on the road in front of me and i did feel it bounce off my chassis, so i pulled over walked back and what i believe to be either the heatshield from over my cat or the piece that hangs behind the transmission tunnle over the rear driveshaft. its literally been ripped from its bolts so im assuming just age and abuse from deep snow/ice this winter, but what i need to know is put it back on or not, it was resonating off the exhaust for a while but i didnt plan on going under the car until next week when i change the oil.

 

It's there for a reason. I would definitely put it back on, heatshields make a big difference in areas where a lot of heat is present

 

not to mention when you bottom out, your exhaust has a little bit of protection.

 

damn, it is a really freakin big piece of heat shield. any idea how to get it back on.

 

isn't it just two pieces of metal around the cat that bolt up to each other? thats how i see it in my mind

 

I don't think the shield protects that way. I think it is inbetween the exhaust and the car...not the exhaust and the ground.

SAudi - you have a 2.8 right? It's not like you are going to be suffering from heat lag....but I would still replace it if I had the chance. You should probably be ok for a week or so, I would think.

 

^ya, i obviously used that reason becuase leifer already gave that answer, and i thought, i would rather have a small hole in my heatshield then my cat...

 

heat shield protect different areas....... help keep heat from getting near vital lines(ie fuel brake....) wirings, and also just keep the heat from getting to the passenger compartment


when i had my s-10 i took out a couple of "non-important" heatshields.....and especailly durring the summer my feet would get hot

 

All you should have to do is add bigger washers to the bolts that hold the shield on.

 

sounds good with the washer idea, although ive been busy at school so i havent had time to lift the car up and see where it exaclty came out from or how bad the bolts that hold it on are. im pretty sure its the one from over the driveshaft so well see how important it is.