Seems like with it wrapped that tightly around the pipe, the temperature difference wouldn't be enough to keep very dry gras from burning. Regardless, after seeing how that crap is put on now, I'm surprised we don't all have buzzing under there. Yikes!
Here's the latest news:
I got under there again and started knocking on the pipes. Two of the shields made noise when doing this, so I removed the passenger side one first (set of three over there and I removed middle one). Problem still there.
Then, I removed the driver's side one (only one large one over there) and found a broken attachment point. You'll see in the blue circle in the photo where there is an extra little metal piece attached to the shield. It's supposed to be attached to the exhaust pipe but broke off. I believe that is what was making all the noise, as I didn't hear anything on my short test drive after removing it. BTW, the red circle just shows the driver's side shield while installed.
Now what I can't figure out is why these things are installed metal to metal. You'd think there would be high temperature tape or rubber between the pipe and the shield where it touches and attaches, but there isn't. At each spot where a band goes around to attach it, there is a metal piece inside the shield that sits up against the pipe. Metal to metal on an exhaust system like that is just asking for noises and broken attachment points it seems, with all the vibrations inherent in an exhaust system.
I'm not going to worry about tall grass as I don't plan on 4 wheeling in such, but if my shoes start to burn or something, I'll let you all know!
I'll leave the shields off for now and maybe later I'll have an exhaust place take a look at it, as I plan to replace the exhaust system anyway; mostly for better routing.
And I hate to say it, but thanks Nissan for using lawnmower quality exhaust components!
