Whilst driving onto a mates steeply sloping drive I managed to catch the underside of the exhaust, and partly ripped off the aluminium heat shield

(Note - I'm talking about the lower / outer one, which is supposed to prevent forest fires if you park over long dry grass - or that's what I read somewhere)

I've temporarily wired it on to stop it flapping, but I'll have to do something to it properly. The 2 front bolts have sheared off flush, and the remaining bits rusted in solid.

The 2 options seem to be either drill, tap and replace the bolts (not easy without access to a ramp or pit), or to just dump the whole thing.

So, 3 questions (well 1 question really) :-

Is it really necessary, or should I just get rid?

If I remove it, will it affect the longevity of the system?

If I remove it, will it affect the MOT?

It won't affect the MOT. For the exhaust to pass all the parts of the system (i.e. all the pipes) need to be present and undamaged and all the mounts (i.e. the rubber hangers) need to be present and undamaged.

The heatshield is only there (as you said) to prevent the possiblity of catching fire to dry leaves etc if you park the car over them when the exhaust system is hot. And the likelihood of that in this country is pretty slim! Maybe if you were somewhere in the s. of France or Spain and parked over a load of dry pine needles...

Mine started rattling earlier this year as the head had snapped off of one of the bolts so that corner was flapping against the cat, took it to my local garage and they spot welded it for £20.

Edited 15 September, 201015 yr by chicken_eyebrow

mine started rattling soi ripped it off as £20 for some spot welding seemed waaaaaaaay too pricey for me

Mines sat the shed ........I think

Rip it off :yes:

get rid of it, u dont need it.

or metal style cable tie to hold it or (maybe 2) i have one on the front of my car, as the 2 fronts sheered off also!

I would keep it on if you can.

An unprotected cat seems to attract plastic bags and other trash. I've never seen anything melted on onto the cat catch fire, but I don't think I'd want to chance it.