Heat Shield Question

Dumb question but I'm at wits end and not a wrencher YET, so forgive me. I've had a rattle under my 2007 4x4, sounded like a heat shield or the O2 sensor. I crawled under this morning and found two things I need to fix. The first is the cat heat shield. The rear bolt on what would be the drivers side, head rusted thru but I cannot get the bottom piece of the nut/bolt out. It's really rusted and rounded out. Hit it with PB blaster and am letting it soak. If I can't get it out can I just get a metal clamp and tighten it up that way?

Second problem, the longest heat shield towards the back of the truck. The whole thing moves. But the last bolt hole is actually larger than the bolt, can kind of pull it down over the top a little bit. For the life of me I can't get an angle on it to get it off. I'm thinking a flex wrench because a deep socket won't clear, normal socket too shallow. Does anyone know the size of those fasteners, to buy a whole set of flex wrenches is expensive. I looked on line and in my Chilton's but can't find the specs. Can I just add a washer when I replace the bolt? HEP ME LOL, I'd take pics but my camera won't focus that close. Also going to do the a/c discharge mod while I'm at it WOOT.
Linda

 

Once you get the bolts out just add a washer. Easy fix. I had a rattle from my heat shield once and I just bent the corner in under itself to create tension and it's still working too.

 

I spose if you can't get the bolts out you could just wire it to something. Probably have to drill some small holes in the shields, but that's no big deal.

 

Those damn heat shields. Had the same issue with the one under my cat. Got some pebbles stuck in it from wheelin and it rattled for a good week before I found the cause. My bolts weren't rusted like yours but I did take the shield off and cut a huge hole
In the bottom to let dirt etc fall out.

Can't remember the size of the fasteners but bending the corner over the lip sounds like a good fix. Washer will definitely help with the rear one.

 

THANK YOU GUYS! I got that biotch done and I have proof!! So I went to Oreilly's and got a pack of fender washers, some clamps and I found some metric offset wrenches which were much cheaper than the flex. Came home prepared to do battle. Hosed the rusted bolts and put my azz into it, got the bolt holding the loosest end of the heat shield off and added a fender washer. Tried getting the middle bolt off but was bending the post, was afraid of breaking it. The washer snugged it up pretty good so I left it at that. FYI they are 8mm shoulder bolts.

The clamps were too small to tighten the shield on the catalytic converter so I ended up using a wire coat hanger for now. Guess I will end up drilling that one rusted piece out and putting a new nut and bolt in.

Then I rerouted my ac discharge with a piece of heater hose 2' long. Zip tied it to drain directly on the ground. My exhaust is pretty rusted, it's still factory and my truck is a 07....maybe time for an upgrade?? Is it normal for the cat converter to be rusted? Think I can hit it with some grill paint? I can't afford those right now. Anyway, thanks so much TW! Here are some pics. Oh and the guy at the parts store took a look at what I needed, said wow looks like a new frame under there.... I was so proud of my por 15 job LOL
Linda

 

With the metal on your converter getting hot and cold its normal for them to get rusty as fudge. If you have holes right through it'll just add to your HP. Lol I know converters are expensive. If you get rid of them you'll need dummy sensors for a proper fire in your engine.
Good job with the "tune up" + keep up the enthusiasm, your truck will love you for it.

 

Can you help me identify something in the 2nd picture (from the top) you see the metal plate attached to the bottom of the bed? The thing with the arrow on it? What is that? I need to replace it on my truck as rust has taken it's toll. The arrow is just about all I have left. I don't know what it's called and can't find it on any website.

 

It’s a heat shield but I don’t know the part number...

 

It's the bottom half of catalytic converter shield... U can use the clamps for hoses.... The one u tighten with a flathead or 7-8 mm.. they sell huge ones for dryer ducts...u can join 2 together if need be..and trim the difference.... good luck.cheers

 

The long one on my 08 did the same thing, but I couldn't get the bolts loose. I just took a tec screw (self drilling) with a fender washer and screwed thru the heat shield up into the sheet metal of the floor. Worked great. If you do this, just make sure that the area you are screwing into is clear inside the cab. Where I did it was under the seat, so no issue there, and it doesn't even come thru the carpet.