Loose exhaust cat shields.

'08 DC 5.7 SR5. Been noticing a rattle from underneath for a few weeks, and finally had a chance to put it up on stands. Found the rear right side cat shield was loose, two bolts on one side of shell missing. Found two sets of replacement bolts/nuts and put it back together. Rattle gone. But, while under there I noticed the other three shields were completely missing. I am guessing a similar problem happened with them, and either they were removed or fell off. I have had the truck for about 8 months, so I am assuming they were missing when I got it. From the Toyota parts site, it looks like about $70. a set (upper and lower halves of each shield) plus fasteners, so about $250 to replace the three missing shields. I am guessing this is a common issue with these vehicles that have a few years on them. So I am wondering how many have lost theirs and are running without them. Does it really matter that much? The aluminum heat shields attached to the bottom of the cab floor are still in place, so there is still some protection from the cat heat.

 

Just clamp them down with large hose clamps less than 10 dollars my clamps been holding on my Odyssey for 8 years now

 

If I had the shield halves, that might be an option, but as I said they are missing so I would have to buy them first.