I was driving my Accord (2001 4cyl stick) on the highway and heard this sound of something dragging on the road, So i pulled over and saw this peice of metal hanging from the bottom of the car. I am not sure what it was but was able to get it off and continue driving. Can someone help me out with what it is. i have included 2 pictures of this part and am including a diagram of about where this part fell from(in the third image, 'X' marks the location the part was at).
Is it ok for me to drive it to the mechanic without this part?



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It's a converter heat sheild. You should be ok without it unless you park in tall dry grass.

 

Thanks for the reply.
I am a noob when it comes to cars. By converter I am assuming that you are referring to the catalytic converter. if that is the case can I replace just the shield or will i have to replace the whole converter?

Thanks in advance.

 

Just leave the shield off, it's not really needed to protect the asphalt, just be careful when parking in tall dry grass like Chio said.

 

Thanks guys for all the input.

 

You can replace it if you want, there 2 of em. one on top, theother on the bottom. 4 small rusted bolts are all that hold em on.

 

I'd look for one from a junkyard. All it is is a piece of metal that helps dissipate heat. Just don't park over anything potentially flammable. I would jack the car up and install the replacement one myself if I were you. Some shop will probably charge you a stupidly huge amount of $ just to slap on a new shield.

 

Heat shields (#5 & #6) clamshell around the converter (#2). Looks like the ears for the bolts (#25) are completely rusted off. Probably the upper shield is gonna come loose before long.



If you don't make a habit of parking on top of flamable stuff, you can leave it off. Or you could even use a couple of big hose clamps to put it back on.

This heat shieldisn't a real high-tech part, it just has to be clamped around so it doesn't fall off.

 

Your car spit it out because it didn't want it! Just think of how much faster your car is now and gets better MPG due to weight reduction!!!

Honestly, you don't need it.