Heat shields

I have a heat shield that the rear bolt is stripped and will not tighten. After putting s work light under to see everything I noticed that the shield is beginning to get punched out on the flare of the nut. My question is what would be damaged if I was to remove it completely bc in a couple more years or months it will be a complete punch out. Fyi it's the shield on the passenger side, cat verter run. Directly under the passengers seat.

 

No issues, rip it out

 

Anyone else have opinions?

 

Mine fell off years ago.

 

My 09 taco is having major heat shield problems this winter. The bolt holes keep rusting out with the salt.

It seems a few weeks after I fix one with a washer, another one comes free.

I think this spring i'm going to jack up and just spend an afternoon fixing them all and cleaning the bolts.

 

I have a theory that not having the heat shields over the cats might blow out the material in that cat quicker. The hot exhaust getting hit by rain and snow will wear out the material quicker.

My mechanic friend looked at me like i was a total idiot when i said this to him. What does everyone think?

 

I ran a subaru without a heatshield for many years, yes smaller engine different everything. never had an issue. nor have I ever heard of anyone having an issue. I feel as though they are like TPMS, required to be there, but are not critical to the vehicle