2000 Dodge Dakota Truck makes a rattling, like loose tin vi

VETTERACER7

MEMBER
2000 DODGE DAKOTA
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
134,000 MILES

Truck usually makes this sound when accelerating (around 1800-2000 rpm), especially in 4th gear where there is the most vibration.I'm not sure if it is the heat sheild or the exhaust pipe vibrating around. The brackets that hold the exhaust pipe are severly rusty and I think loose. I've been told that just removing the heatsheilds won't neccesarily be that bad, but it's at my own risk. Any suggestions to help diagnose this and fix it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

2 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,742 POSTS

You're going to have to actually crawl underneath and poke around. I use a rubber hammer. You will be able to see the bolt holes rusted out of the heat shield. I would definitely not discard it. Someone decided it needed to be there. If it wasn't needed, they wouldn't have gone through the expense of installing it at the factory. Additionally, if you develop an over-fueling problem that makes the catalytic converter get red hot, or something else causes a fire, and the insurance adjuster sees the missing heat shield, they will likely deny your claim.

Also look for rusted clamps around the exhaust pipe joints. Those can be twisted off and thrown away because the pipes are already crimped and holding tight.

Caradiodoc