You that shield that between the center exhaust pipe and the drive shaft? Is it really needed? Because the snow has pretty much ripped it apart and it no longer has the mounting tabs on the bolts so it just rattles or it will move in a position that will start to pull on my rear O2 sensor wires.

Edited February 16, 201412 yr by 1-3-2-4

It's just heat shield, and no it's not needed.

It's just heat shield, and no it's not needed.

Heat shield for what? the rear drive shaft? most heat shields are under (covering) the exhaust and not above.

There is a shield that spans the tunnel over both the exhaust and the driveshaft. It is really arbitrary; if it is failing, just pull it out.

I never understood that heat shield, for the cats I could understand.

That sheild is there to help keep heat away from the u- joints the carrier bearing and bushings on the driveshaft, the shift linkage, and the parking brake cables where they run through the tunnel.

It's mostly to prevent long term effects of heat on those parts, but it does also help keep heat out of the cabin.

 

I would keep it in place if you can, but if its damaged and causing a problem, take it off for the time being and replace it when you can.

That sheild is there to help keep heat away from the u- joints the carrier bearing and bushings on the driveshaft, the shift linkage, and the parking brake cables where they run through the tunnel.

It's mostly to prevent long term effects of heat on those parts, but it does also help keep heat out of the cabin.

 

I would keep it in place if you can, but if its damaged and causing a problem, take it off for the time being and replace it when you can.

I plan on replacing it it's just the sound of it rattling on the pipe and moving around is driving me nuts and plus it cut the outer shield on my oxygen sensor