My exhaust heat shield has started rattling again (i welded it a while back) Im thinking about just taking it off.

Has anybody done this & Have they heat wrapped it afterwards?

I have taken them off in the past - but kept an eye on things for a bit to ensure the shell is not discolouring

 

a bit of heat wrap would not go amiss if it is easy enough to get access to

thats all I'm worried about is causing damage to the underside

 

thanks for your reply

If you heat wrap it I would recommend some titanium heat wrap. It is more expensive, but the cheaper stuff goes brittle and flakes off after a while.

Very common problem on older and high mileage subarus.

Reasonably easy to cure but can take some time if lots of the cover bolts are siezed & need trimming off with grinder/dremmel.

Main dealer can be silly money on these issues so seek out a good independant if you don't get dirty yourself.

Basically you need remove offending sections, mainly the mesh vibration pads in the c-clamps become loose with age & adding a layer of heat wrap ribbon to the c-clamps normally resolves the issues.

On the Y section adding a tack weld between the vertival covers off the manifold to the horizontal ones can also make things a lot better but you best sorting out the clamps first as with that little extra effort it cured in one hit & for a long time too.

thanks Mr B, I have already had a play around with it & put a few welds on it, was just going to take it off altogether.
 

If its in a real state then taking it off could be best option, just reviving the c-clamps on the covers & general tweek over & stitch welding on front Y pipe has them rattle free for years to come. Have done a few including the 2 I own & the 03 SG I bought recently was a right rattling mess & one of a few minor reasons it was for sale, took about 3hrs using a pit (not so much fun on your back) to do a good job on it but all bolts came off covers without cutting. Stitch welded y-covers together at front as best really long term & now rattle free ... Have a couple of regular subarus in for servicing that been done like this & been fine for almost 3yrs now. Does work but needs doing right or you back at it chasing the next point to rattle.