When I was last getting an alignment, I had the shop tack weld the offending heat shield in a few places. That was 2 years ago.

Similarly, on my 240, I've gotten 50,000 additional miles out of my catalytic converter that had developed a split on one of the seams near the flange. There's a small 2-bay shop in town that I buy tires, alignment, etc.. from. He welded the cat for $15. I love small towns!



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'90 245 258k, '93 945 241k

Dear Alexanderdickens,

Hope you're well. The heat shield is intended to prevent a hot catalytic converter from setting fire to tinder-dry leaves or grass. If you're careful where you park, when fire danger is high - i.e., during droughts or, in some regions, normal summer conditions - then there should not be a problem in having the heat shield removed.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook