Hi,
I just installed my pacesetter sts and i can hear it banging against the heatshield. Can I just take the shield off, or do I really need it?

 

Mine has been off for the past year and have had ZERO problems or side effects.

The shield's main purpose is to prevent a fire from starting in case you park your car over a pile of leaves or something like that. The heat of the exhaust could MAYBE cause a fire. That is what I've been told. But I have not had any issues since taking it off.

 

What you need to do is take the heatshield off, and bang the center of the heatshield with a hammer, and reinstall.

 

I was thinking of taking mine off, or cutting the center out. I have banged it so much it is touching the top of the cat, it is smooth...but once it heats up and the metal expands, I get the hard shifting again...interesting about the fire stuff, I was thinking of taking it off, but thought the exhaust would come up into the interior.

 

Thanks for the replys guys. I just took the heatshield off, but I dont think i will attempt to put it back on until i get my jack back. I installed the sts without the use of a jack because my brother's friend is borrowing it. it was hard enough getting under and installing the first time, I dont even want to bother right now... My car isn't lowered yet, so it was just enough room for me to get under it (barely). I will try pounding the center of it later.

Thanks,
NismoVQ

 

Please update this thread and let us know of any drawbacks with the shield off.