Re-attaching the Muffler Heat Shield

[thunderpanda]

Hey guys,

Just replaced my entire exhaust successfully, but in doing so the last of the crappy plastic rivet things that holds this large heat shield in place broke and now there's nothing to attach it with.

I assume I can just get new rivet things, but here are my questions:

1. How do I know what types to buy? There's nothing left of the old ones to compare...
2. The old ones broke off flush with the bottom of the frame where they attach. Am I going to be able to just push those through to the other side and re-use the holes? Or am I screwed?

Or, is it worthless enough that I can just not worry about it? Has anyone else driven long periods of time without it on there and without any issues?

1998 SSEI - 242k

[TheJMFC]

It's been a while since I've been under a Bonneville, but I thought mine were held in place with metal pop rivets.

If it is metal pop rivets, you might have to drill out whatever is left. As for size, largest diameter that will fit, and not very long I wouldn't think.

If it is those barbed plastic thingies, I think I've seen them sold in auto parts stores in the section of random carded specialty fasteners. I also tend to harvest things like that whenever I walk through the junkyard, because they don't charge for them.

If nothing else, it seems like you could drill the right size hole and make some generic fastener work. Corrosion concerns due to the bare metal exposed by drilling are valid, but then again... It's a rare '98 indeed that isn't already rusting on the underside.

[Evan0801]

Sheet metal screws have been holding my shield up for years.

[96 SSEi]

Hey guys,

I assume I can just get new rivet things, but here are my questions:

1. How do I know what types to buy? There's nothing left of the old ones to compare...

hi, you really don't need the old rivets - you have the hole so just get stainless or aluminium rivets to fit the hole- the length can be adjusted if too long by clipping off the excess before you install them.

[thunderpanda]

The guy at the auto parts store was no help... Seemed to have no idea! Guess I'm probably going to get a rivet tool and some rivets!

One weird thing: it seems like the heat shield has 4 obvious holes to use, but there only appears to be 2 holes in the car for it to attach... wtf?

I've had it off for the time being, and felt the carpet inside the car above it, and it isn't warm at all, so I dunno. Of course I suppose the spare tire could be melting without me knowing... Might not be a huge priority for me I guess :/ Kinda just an annoying thing that I don't think I'm going to be able to attach properly.

[zuper8]

Yeah uhh... when mine got rusty and broke loose at one end, I just ripped that sucker off. 2 years ago. Only thing I notice about not having it is that the rattling-loose-piece-of-metal noise is gone.