13 replies to this topic

[CHARL13]

I'm taking delivery of an na next week and one of the bits that needs doing to it is the heat shield, which has fallen off. I have the replacement mesh for the back but wondered the best way to deal with it. Looking at some pictures of somone changing their exhaust it looks like it might be accessible if I drop the back box off? I'm hoping it's not a clam removal job! Anyone tried it?

[techieboy]

I wouldn't fancy your chances of it doing it with the clam on. The existing grill is bonded on with some black gloop and it took me about an hour to cut it off and get rid of enough of the glue to bond a new one on with the clam off.

[starlight]

It would potetially be easier to cut the heatsheild off the new bit of mesh and bond it on to the old mesh with some 'chemical metal' or similar, or use the new one as a pattern and make a heatshield out of some spare sheet metal and bond on to the old mesh...

[CHARL13]

Thanks guys, I'm not keen on taking the rear clam off for obvious reasons. I'll have a butchers when I get it and see what I can do.

[jay_vxt22]

does it need a heatshield lip, mines never had one on

[starlight]

Does it need one? - Depends whether your rear number plate is susceptible to heat damage or not

[Pooh Bear]

...... it looks like it might be accessible if I drop the back box off?
I'm hoping it's not a clam removal job!

Anyone tried it?

Yes.
Although it wasn't 'I' who tried it but the other half
We were replacing the zaust system anyway so access to the mesh and heat shield (nick-named the mono-brow...) was indeed possible.
Be warned, as Techieboy pointed out it is practically welded on with that black resin/glue stuff it really is one of those small jobs you think will be a piece of pish then wish you'd never started (sorry - HE never started....)

[mandarinvx]

It would potetially be easier to cut the heatsheild off the new bit of mesh and bond it on to the old mesh with some 'chemical metal' or similar

[jay_vxt22]

Does it need one? - Depends whether your rear number plate is susceptible to heat damage or not

never had a prob, and my exhaust gets very hot

[Ken]

Hi Guys, My heatshield came away from the wire mesh this afternoon. I still have the wire mesh. Should I weld it back on or is it really needed. I have a trip to the Nurgburgring arranged for tomorrow. Typical isn't it.

[CHARL13]

Hi Guys,
My heatshield came away from the wire mesh this afternoon. I still have the wire mesh. Should I weld it back on or
is it really needed.
I have a trip to the Nurgburgring arranged for tomorrow. Typical isn't it.

I take it you still have the heat shield? I just used Tigerseal to stick it back on with and so far so good. Whether it's needed or not it only took 5 mintues to fix so it was worth it for aesthetic reasons.

[noplex]

The heat shield as far as im aware stops the number plate from melting from exhaust heat. Not really needed - I fixed mine by having a piece of ally bent to cover over where the shield fell off the mesh - Looks pretty good - Better than some knackered looking mesh. No more nails is excellent for sticking anything to anything and goes through the mesh and locks the new part in. Never ever get vauxhall to do this (or anyone else for that matter - My first VX had it done by a vaux dealer (Myself not knowing it was not important) ata cost of £40 for the part but £550!!! with the labour!!!

[vxr36]

TMS broke mine off when they removed my Clam. John said it was not needed and they all fall off when Clams are removed anyway.

[Zoobeef]

TMS broke mine off when they removed my Clam. John said it was not needed and they all fall off when Clams are removed anyway.

That sort of thing is one reason why i'd rather use courteneys. They knock a bit of your car off and rather than fix it their attitude is 'oh you dont need it anyway'!!!! WTF

Seen quites a few melted numberplates, and even if it doesn't help against that, i think it looks sh** without it