Loose heat shield on exhaust (replace? / remove? / repair?)

[Franzino]

The heat shield of my exhaust is a little loose and makes a annoying rattling noise when stationary. It's the heat shield that is on the section with catalytic converter.

You can’t buy the heat shield separate and replacing that area of the exhaust is really expensive.

So what options do I have?
- Put some heat resistant stuff between the exhaust and the loose heatshield so that it does not rattle anymore? But what stuff? I don't want the stuff I punt between catching fire from the exhaust heat...

- Can the loose heatshield be welded so that it does not make any rattling noise?

- Remove the heat shield? Is this a good idea to have this done? Is it safe for the underside of the car? Is it safe that the catalytic converter are less protected?
⇨ I looked at aftermarket exhausts from AC Schnitzer, Supersprint, Status gruppe and their section with the catalytic converter does not have any heat shield or protection on them…

 

[TomK]

I had this, my shop sorted it, I'll ask them what they did as I'm speaking with them this week.
Will let you know.

 

[Franzino]

I had this, my shop sorted it, I'll ask them what they did as I'm speaking with them this week.
Will let you know.

My car is going to the shop tomorrow...for oil change and other stuff.

 

[Beedub]

remove it..... mine runs aftermarket cats without any, don't forget theirs already a heat shield protecting the car, thats to stop things catching on fire like long grass...

 

[exdos]

If the heat shield is attached by a nut onto a threaded fixing, just fit a couple of large washers on either side of the heat shield so that the washers pinch the shield when the nuts are tightened. You could make the washers from a piece of aluminium if you haven't got anything suitable.

If the shield is very flexible aluminium, it can just be bent in a way that keeps it tightly fitted.

 

[Argenta]

Had the same thing.
There's a rough sort of steel-wool 'snake' folded inside the shield, in my case it slipped out forwards and caused the shield to rattle.
I simply stuffed it back and it's still silent.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Mine came loose a few years ago when I grounded on a speed hump. I had it welded back, a solution that lasted until a couple of weeks ago. It now rattles occasionally when cold after a similar grounding problem.
I'm sure I read somewhere that the heat shield serves also to reduce thermal shock to the cats when driving through puddles.

 

[Franzino]

Good point about the thermal shock!
My M specialist fixed the rattling and the shield is fixed and still there

 

[Argenta]

Mine's loose again.
Did anybody find a non-welding-solution?

 

[Franzino]

Mine's loose again.
Did anybody find a non-welding-solution?

Mine is starting to ratlle again

 

[autobahner]

Weld it. Small tack welds all the way round. Sorted mine

 

[Beedub]

remove... job done.

 

[Compaqnx]

Sorry to drag up and old post but I have the exact same problem on mine - I'm really struggling to find anyone in the Bedfordshire area willing to carry out a repair.

Anyone else had this issue resolved in the Midlands or towards the south of the UK?

 

[SKG]

I have not looked but am guessing the heat shield is a rigid pressing made out of something cheap like aluminium or tin.

Do they all crack in the same place, if so is it a weakness in its design.

Providing the item is not too weak to do it, could the crack be spanned with aluminium strips, drill both the strips and also the shield then rivet them together, basically stitch the fractured part back to one. I say rivet as I assume its too weak to do anything major, use washers to span the area.

Like I say, haven't looked, so I apologise if room does not permit this, or said item is on show and could look messy if not done correctly.

 

[Compaqnx]

I'll get the car up on ramps over the bank holiday weekend and see what's what. Might just be a case of removing it seeing as I can't find anywhere to get it repaired.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Mine came loose a few years ago when I grounded on a speed hump. I had it welded back, a solution that lasted until a couple of weeks ago. It now rattles occasionally when cold after a similar grounding problem.
I'm sure I read somewhere that the heat shield serves also to reduce thermal shock to the cats when driving through puddles.

Since I posted this ten years ago, mine has healed itself! If I catch a speed hump or ground over a car park entrance, very rarely it may rattle with the next cold start, but thereafter it’s fine.
I suspect corrosion on the exhaust has taken up the rattle room or the heat shield has deformed sufficiently that it’s jammed up against an adjacent structure. I’m not sure that ignoring it long enough for it to heal would be a recommended fix for everyone though