Broken muffler heat shield

[a77boy]

2003 Sr5 V8

The bolts that hold up the heat shield above my muffler have corroded and caused the heat shield to fall off. It is now resting on top of the muffler. Mechanically it is not worrying me. What does happen though is that when I am idling at a stop light or in the driveway I can hear the shield rattling on top of the muffler. Anyone know if it would be safe to just pull the heat shield out entirely? Thanks in advance

 

[toyoboy]

I would consider repairing it....its not that old of a truck.. and
that sheild is suppose to insulate something...toyota won't put it there for no reason.

 

[a77boy]

Thats the way I figure it,, "they would not have put it there for no reason" but then again I wonder???