I have a 2008 Prius. The other day, I was inflating a tire when I heard a racket coming from the back end of the car. I knelt down and I saw that it was from a piece that seems to be above the muffler, encircling the top part, a piece with a pattern of little bumps. It's loose, I can see where one bolt is missing and another is disconnected. Sounds fine when I drive, though. What is this piece called? I want to be able to direct the mechanic's attention to it. Many thanks, Josh
Heat insulation material/panel; used on just about every vehicle somewhere along the exhaust system. Any mechanic will know what it is.
As others have said, it's a heat shield- fairly common for the thin aluminum to corrode and fail right at the attaching screws. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
