Heat Shield Advice

[SC986]

I had the Boxster in the shop today (not a dealer but Porsche only shop) getting the CV Boots replaced. I mentioned that when backing the car up I hear a rattling .

The culprit as many has said, heat shield bracket. This was the heat shield on top of the cat, drivers side. The bracket that the bolts go into had rusted out on one side and the bolt had nothing to attach to. He said the only choices:

1. Get a new cat $$
2. Fab a new bracket, just as costly
3. Let it rattle

The mechanic removed the heat shield saying there was nothing vital there and would not cause any issue.

Now part of me says there is a need since Porsche bothered to put it there. Part of me says they are reputable, they would not do anything to cause damage to my car.

Thoughts, advice?

[beersnob]

I have the same exact issue on my S but did not realize where the noise was coming from. Thanks for the tip. Also, I just replaced 1 CV boot and the other will need to be done soon.

Interested to see where this thread goes.

Jeff

Personally I like knowing it's there. The cat gets mighty hot.

[Boxtaboy]

Not sure the cat shield is really needed, as any aftermarket sport cats do not have the shield applied. There still should be that honeycomb aluminum heat shield panel material above the area of the cats anyway.

However, just to be safe, I'd just get under the car to double check if there's anything vital near the area of the cat that might be damaged by intense heat.

[jhandy]

Why do you not just tack weld the sheild to the cat?

[SC986]

The bracket that you would bolt the shield or weld it to is what rusted off, so there is nothing there to weld to.

It couldn't be that easy for me, never is