Rattle. Shield?

[radioarno]

A metal shield seems to have come loose and is rattling. Can I fix this without a lift? Using just a floor jack and stands? Is it a simple bolt that has detached?

[andrewclaus]

If it's a heat shield above the exhaust, you shouldn't need a lift. They're held on by nuts with a 10 mm hex head, probably M6 X 1.0 thread.

[radioarno]

oh that's great info. Is it likely that a bolt rusted out? If I get a replacement bolt is it likely that I'll just need to insert and tighten?

[tpollauf]

Based on some of your earlier posts, you have a base 2004 Vibe. There are TWO heat shields (at least on the 2009-10 Vibes) one in the center above the cat, and one above the muffler at the rear. One of our 2009 Vibe GT's was subjected to so much shock & vibrations that we "lost" the rear shield, and the center one came close to falling off. I was able to reattach the center one (see pic) but due to the "new oversize holes" that was a result of the damage, I made some special "washers/supports" to better keep the shield in place a LOT longer. Also used lots of anti-seize compound in case I had to remove the bolts in the future. Luckily I had access to a lift or this would have never been repaired. If it's your rear shield, then jacking it up should be enough to work on it. If it's the center one, then you'll need a lift for sure. Let us know what you find and how you went about fixing it! Good luck




This pic was shortly after we bought it (used & 36k miles) and am including it for reference only

[andrewclaus]

Those are great photos above. You can see you'll need new nuts and probably washers, not bolts. The nuts thread onto studs permanently attached to the body. You may need to clean threads.

I was able to replace the entire exhaust system with the car jacked up on stands. My heat shields (three on the '07) were fine. I dropped the front and middle ones when the pipe was out and reinstalled them with no problem. It's spent its whole life in the Colorado Front Range, with very little corrosion.

[radioarno]

Thanks a ton. Based on my eyeballing it in the rain, its the rear one, but I'll only know better once I get under it. I tried posting the videos I took but realized that I can't post video here, and I had no photos, just vid. I"ll check it out when the weather is nicer and I'll let you know. Thanks much.