I just bought a 99 f150. Just after 2k rpms there seems to be what sounds like a heatshield rattling. Is it common for the shields on the cat to rattle and make this noise? Thanks

Andrew

 

I can't speak for the newer trucks, but I had one come loose on my '95 about a year or so ago, and it drove me nuts. If I remember correctly, the original used a coarse thread screw (almost more similar to a wood screw). Once I finally tracked it down I put a stainless stove bolt and nut on it.

On my truck it wasn't the actual shield hitting anything, it was the nut rattling around loose that was making the majority of the noise. It's hard to believe that one little screw can make so much noise. I was sure I had a loose exhaust clamp or something.

Some of them can be hard to see, so slowly feel around the shield to make sure you find them all. Mine stayed hidden on the first couple of attempts to find it.

 

Excellent, I found the culprit in about 10 minutes. A small shield on the y-pipe had a broken weld on the very end. Used a little brute force and bent that sucker away from the pipe about an inch... well. no more rattle! Hell yeah, I love it when you fix something the first try and it isnt even hard at all!