removal of heat shield / '88 LX

[seattlestiva]

Howdy - I seem to be having the common problem of heat shield "rattle".
I see Ford even had a TSB about it back in the day. Where is it and how difficult is it to remove? Should I remove it? Wisdom on the site seems to side on the "removal is not a problem" side. Thanks!

[bravekozak]

I believe there are three short 6mm bolts that must be removed. I managed to do it, but you need a lot of penetrating fluid and tapping with a hammer, before attempting to ratchet. Good luck.

[doi_doi]

easy to remove while it is hot..

[WmWatt]

The catalytic converter heat sheild? The converter is an after burner which burns off unspend frule in the exhaust. It gets hot. The heat sheild is to keep you car from setting fire to grass or anything else which may come in contact with the converter.

[phyaz91]

exh mani heat shield

[getnpsi]

I would cut some of it off with tin snips until the part left over is snug and no rattles w/o undoing any fasteners. Laziness pays.

[Larry Hampton]

My rattle is the exhaust pipe heat shield after the converter. It got smashed up against the pipe by a PO, I tack welded it at the drain hole, but it broke loose.

[seattlestiva]

Thanks to all for the responses. As it turns out, the rattle is the least of my issues. Once it's up on the rack, you really get a good look at the health of your car!