[JeepPilotNH]

As it seems most do, my heat shield over the muffler has broken free of it's bolts and is driving me insane nailing the muffler over every little bump. :atomic: Has anybody just torn theirs off? I've seen recommendations to bend it up, but if I can eliminate it all together, that'll probable give me an extra .0001 HP, right? But really, anybody just taken it off? Consequences?

 

[daggo66]

No issues with removing it.

 

[rebelman]

As it seems most do, my heat shield over the muffler has broken free of it's bolts and is driving me insane nailing the muffler over every little bump. :atomic: Has anybody just torn theirs off? I've seen recommendations to bend it up, but if I can eliminate it all together, that'll probable give me an extra .0001 HP, right? But really, anybody just taken it off? Consequences?

Have you noticed any issues removing the heat shield? I just removed mine for the same reason and figured it probably wouldn't hurt if it is gone.

 

[Tseg]

My 2012 JK just started the rattle a day ago. Both my right side bolt holes of the muffler heat shield had corroded through, neither of my left side. It was somewhat easy to access the bolt furthest towards the front of the jeep with a deep socket and a long socket extender. I unscrewed and screwed back on with a big fender washer underneath, leaving the other right side mount unattached. The heat shield is pretty rigid. It seems to have done the trick for now, until other bolt holes corrode.

Good (and bad) to know this is a common problem and it is not a larger exhaust repair. If this starts causing rattles again I may go the removal route, but kind of need the other 2 bolt locations to corrode through first.

 

[TheRubicon]

My 2012 JK just started the rattle a day ago. Both my right side bolt holes of the muffler heat shield had corroded through, neither of my left side. It was somewhat easy to access the bolt furthest towards the front of the jeep with a deep socket and a long socket extender. I unscrewed and screwed back on with a big fender washer underneath, leaving the other right side mount unattached. The heat shield is pretty rigid. It seems to have done the trick for now, until other bolt holes corrode. Good (and bad) to know this is a common problem and it is not a larger exhaust repair. If this starts causing rattles again I may go the removal route, but kind of need the other 2 bolt locations to corrode through first.

Remove the heat shield, but first, remove the muffler and can it at the scrap yard

 

[NJJeep Guy]

Mine had that problem till it finally fell off, and I haven't missed it.

 

[Peaceful_Colossus]

Pretty sure mine's gone too, along with the air dam.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Mine has started to rattle if/when I hit a lot of sticky mud. The rattle goes away when I hose the undercarriage off. When the day comes I need to address it further, baling wire will be option #1.

 

[Princelake]

Yup this summer mine corroded and fall on to the muffler causing an annoying rattle. I bolted back on with large washers. When it falls off again it's gone lol. My only concern is its there for a reason. Possibly hotter rear cab?

 

[TheRubicon]

Yup this summer mine corroded and fall on to the muffler causing an annoying rattle. I bolted back on with large washers. When it falls off again it's gone lol. My only concern is its there for a reason. Possibly hotter rear cab?

I think if anything it's to protect the underbody paint from the heat. I can't really see any other reason for it, maybe some kind of code or safety standard dictates it must be there from factory

 

[strmanglr]

I've been dealing mine for about a year now. I used coat hanger wire to put it back up but its come off again.

I thought about pulling it off too. But thought its there for a reason. Really though the muffler doesn't get that hot.

For those of you who have pulled it, how long have you had it off?

 

[UnaJeepa]

when I had the rattling checked out at the dealer the told me it was the heat shield. they said its basically there for people who do a lot of driving in tall dry grass - it can theoretically get lodged above the muffler and catch fire. otherwise not really useful he told me.
he said the same in terms of fixing it - just replace the washers and bolts that have corroded, but I haven't done that yet. when I found out it wasn't important, I stopped caring about it...

 

[HunterTheBeagle]

I ripped mine off a few weeks ago, I was heading out a 2 track to hunt and noticed it was only hanging on by one bolt so I finished it off, the compartment in the back gets a little warmer but not a big deal at all, other than that I have not noticed any difference. I wondered if when idling in stop and go traffic if things would heat up in the back, haven't had a chance to test that yet though.

 

[dpainter]

Go ahead and fix the problem. You need the heat shield. Mine was partially off so I went and took it the rest of the way off before I left work, by the time I got home I checked the trunk under the carpet and it was somewhat warm(30 min drive). All I done was buy larger washers and was able to get the existing nuts off and put the larger washers on with the old nuts and so far no issues. Only takes about 30 mins to replace and you do not even have to remove the muffler to put it back in. Not to mention it just cost me about $1.50 for 4 washers!

 

[lowflyer001]

Mine fell off over a year ago (over 10K miles.)
I monitor that area every time I do an oil change and the Jeep is on the lift. I haven't seen any paint discoloration on the underside of the body.
The Jeep has the stock exhaust and muffler.

 

[Main Line Willys]

I would be concerned about the heat transfer to the cargo area.
My dog rides back there.

Years ago in a f150, I had a dog that like to ride in the bed (secured). Anyway, one day I see him dancing back there. The exhaust had developed a new hole and was blowing hot exhaust gas up to the bed. Needless to say, the muddy dog was in the cab with me until I fixed the exhaust. Yes, the truck bed did get hot.

 

[k_dipietro]

My heat shield fell off a few months ago, and I took it to the dealer to have it repaired. It's now fallen off again less than 6 months later. Really just want to throw it away!!!

 

[Bbrayden85]

As it seems most do, my heat shield over the muffler has broken free of it's bolts and is driving me insane nailing the muffler over every little bump. :atomic: Has anybody just torn theirs off? I've seen recommendations to bend it up, but if I can eliminate it all together, that'll probable give me an extra .0001 HP, right? But really, anybody just taken it off? Consequences?

Mine doesn’t have one and the heat comes through the floor and melts my carpet. Looking to get a new one