GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Ok so I find myself again at odds

04 base model. I removed the exhaust manigfold heat shield as the 2 bottom bolts had rusted through the shield and it was rattling somthing fierce. 2 top bolts came out fine but the bottom bolts seem round with a very shallow and not the right shape to put a socket on it. There was some wirey mesh around the bolts that I removed and assumed was some sort of buffer material. So I guess my question is how do you get the bottom bolts out?

Thanks in advance.

I had the same problem with mine man. My heat shield rusted around a bolt and it rattled like a babies rattle!! I used a rivet gun to attach it back on and it worked beautifully!!! You should give that a try. Rivet gun + heat shield = success

Had similar issue on '05. Appears it may be a common problem in the rust belt. Did not have any rivets big enough, ended up using a hose clamp to keep the heat shield in place. Used arge hose clamp to secure shield (102-152mm Stainless clamp worked fine). Plugging open bolt holes with exhaust repair compound, used Permatex MTK-1 Item 80335 (used before on several other projects holds up well).
Missing bolts, open holes in exhaust manifold letting gasses out Hose clamp in place and holes plugged.

Leaking exhaust gases!? Looks like I need to get mine out of storage and inspect it; didn't notice anything like that...