Heat shield fell off

[mattylondon]

Had a rattle when going over speed bumps which sounded like a heat shield. Took the car to a tyre and exhaust place near me and they lifted her and a tiny (between A5 - A4 paper size) heat shield had become loose and was resting on top of the exhaust. The tech got their pliers and bent/ripped it out before inspection if it can reattached :tuttut:. This heat shield protected the joint in the prop shaft. I don't think this will be a problem but I will have drop part, if not all, the exhaust to add a new shield.

[M-A8]

How did that come loose???
Trying to remove them can be a pain when you intend to so how has this happened on its own?? Mystery.

[mattylondon]

How did that come loose???
Trying to remove them can be a pain when you intend to so how has this happened on its own?? Mystery.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ mystery to me also! Maybe I should get her lifted again and inspect the centre support bearing as that's above the shield.

http://www.blauparts.com/assets/audi_center_support_bearing_driveshaft.gif

[Joe2.0E]

Heat shields are generally fixed with a pretty poor type of rivet that are prone to failure. Heat shields are quite cheap but fitting will involve serious labour for access, might best left alone for now.

[Turbo Tony]

One of my Heat shields had worked itself loose too. It hadn't started rattling or anything, but the fastener wasn't holding it in place anymore. It's getting changed as a precaution while they fit the OEM exhaust.

I'd have a good snoop around the affected area, just in case something else caused it. If there's nothing immediately apparent, replace it and forget it.