Fix IT... With contortion & persistence in the driveway, reinstalled with large flat washers (body washers). Was able to complete without removing the muffler over a year ago on the 2013. My friend (Jeep Tech) says easily done on the lift.

 

Delete it.

 

been without mine for well over a year now, no issues.

 

I'd keep it to protect the carpet in the cargo area from heat. The factory did not spend money on it unnecessarily. You might also consider a smaller muffler like the afe axle-back stainless, so hitting the muffler on the trail and hence the shield won't happen.

 

I pulled mine. I have a Smittybilt security box in mine so there is nothing in the little trunk area.

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Deleted a while back...

 

Pulled mine about 6 months ago.

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The shield on my 2016 started clanking on big bumps about a year after I got it new.

Rather than taking it in under warranty, I slid under the rear end and found out where it was making contact with the muffler by giving the tailpipe a hard shake. Then I bent that part of the shield so that it wasn't as close to the muffler. It's thin metal and easy to bend with your hands.

That fixed it...

 

2015 JK new to me this month - similar rattle noise and shook the exhaust / shield to find two of four contact points on shield rusted through.

Followed this YouTube and fixed right up for $14 all in. Photo shows new washer / clamps attached to existing (albeit rusted) bolt.

 

Mine did the same. Lol