Manifold heat shield removal?

[Dobbie]

So this is more than likely a normal thing that happens. My heat shield that goes over the manifold rotted away right where the manifold joins the down pipe. So with it only 2 bolts attaching it to the block, it rattles at times.
I've tried 2 different way to stop the rattle with no luck. Removing it to bend it to press up against the manifold and the other way, bending it up away enough to have clearance but still help to cover / block the manifold.

I guess the real question now is, since the manifold is in the back on the front, would it be safe to run the car without it?

Here it is now with it bent up;

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/justindobb/Alero/exhuastmani.jpg

[a.graham52]

big ol' hose clamp around that and the manifold... se if that stops the rattle.

[colonel6632]

i have a tsudou 4-2-1 header without a heatshield for 1 year now

[heineck]

just pull it off. the car will be fine without it. bothe of mine ran without em for years

[Dobbie]

colonel6632: I would love to get the tsudou except money is low.

heineck: Thanks, I was thinking of just taking it off but I just did want to run into something that would cause it to crack like water or what not.

[heineck]

do u drive without a hood? lol

[Dobbie]

No but I do drive on the roads that have a good amount of water on them when it rains.

[heineck]

the bottom gets wet more that the top ever will. and theres no shield there. its fine

[Dobbie]

:thumb: thanks

[Dobbie]

I removed it . . . the damn rattle is still there so that wasn't it. What else could make a "tingy" type rattle intermittently in the front end?

Sorry for the double post.

[a.graham52]

what causes the noise? just sitting there idling? bumps? turning? revving?

[Dobbie]

Mainly when low idle like when you throw it in reverse with the brake pressed.

[a.graham52]

how aobut any of the other heat shields on the exhaust? thye all attach to the body but thats no sign they havnt rotten off and are touching the exhaust.

[Redog]

I have a V6 and haven't had a heat sheild for about 7 years now. Haven't had a problem

[Dobbie]

Small possibility it might have been the hood prop rattling against the AC piping. A little bit of hockey tape on the prop and we'll see.

[Dobbie]

*Update*

A few days ago I went under the car because the rattle was really starting to piss me off. I found that part of a heat shield under the car was touching the cat. After bending it back a bit, no more rattle except for the rattle/vibration from the axle. I'm not sure if I just need to tighten down the axle nut or it needs to be replaced.