What is this? Loose and rattling

Heat shield? Ok to remove?

 

That almost looks like a resonator, did you exhuast get louder since that piece has come loose?

 

It is in fact the resonator. It is not sold separately. You have to buy the entire muffler assembly (if you can find one). Your best best is have a muffler shop cut out the resonator and weld in a section of normal exhaust pipe.

 

When I bought my tracker the lady before me put a new exhuast system on( assuming after market) and never put a resonator back on and I can tell you, can't even tell the difference. Normally you can tell a difference in the tone

 

It is not noisy, I think I'll just pop it off. Alternative thought is to wrap the whole resonator in muffler tape to keep it quiet and in place.

 

>> It is not noisy

Noise is not the problem. Carbon monoxide leaking into the cabin is the problem. What little it costs at the muffler shop is well worth it. Get the exhaust vented out from under the car.

 

You have a good point, I had the same issues my exhaust tip rusted off and at the back at both corners under the bumper there are vents going into the cab and the flaps like to break and I learned the hard way when my cab was filling with exhuast fumes. So don't cheap out get a pipe put on or go to your local store and buy some pipe and clamps. Better to be safe than sorry