Had a new noise pop up yesterday and I found the heat shiled around the exhaust pipe before the drivers side cat had some rattles. I started tapping and sure enough some pieces fell out. This looks like it is going to run me some money down the road, does anyone have any ideas? 05' 4WD 70K miles.

Just remove the shields. That is what I did when mine started to rattle.

Do they not serve a purpose?

I think their biggest purpose is to rattle!
Removing the shields will not cause any problems. There are many members who don't havethe shields in place; the have removed them because of the rattles or because of custom exhaust systems.

Well that puts some money back in my pocket!

I guess i have this problem, this crazy rattling sound happens when i turn the mada and also when i accelerate under 25mph. Ilooked under the vehile and was tapping things to see for anything that was loose or broke... nothing was found. what do the shields look like and where are they located. Much Thanx!!!! I have an 04 4wd mada.

I had several places on my 2004 Armada where the exhaust shields were buzzing. I had a muffler shop weld them all (maybe 75 spots) and this worked for a few months. A mechanic then told me this usually does not work as the spot welds pop loose. He put in a couple of self tapping screws and no more buzzing sound.

Would the screws cause any air flow restriction? Do they screw through the shield and into the exhaust tubing?

I have had no rattles to date thankfully.