Heat shield rattles on catalytic converter 98 S10 2.2 can u remove it fairly easily?

A vibrating or rattling sound coming from around the area of your catalytic converter is much more likely to be a problem with the heat shield that wraps around the top of the converter to keep it from damaging the floor of your car. A noisy, rattling heat shield is annoying, but it can be ignored without damaging the car.

A catalytic converter that is failing is likely to make a "whooshing" sound like a muffler with a hole in it. Or, if your cat suddenly plugs up because the inside has come loose, your car will suddenly have no power and you'll have exhaust gas trying to escape from every gasket in the exhaust system. It's a very distinctive (and expensive) sound, compared to a loose heat shield.

Some people simply remove their noisy heat shields. Others pay a welder a few dollars to tack it back into place. It's a simple problem to diagnose, especially if you can put the car on a lift and get underneath it to wiggle parts until you identify the loose section(s).

It is most likely an exhaust heat shield or a catalytic converter that is breaing apart inside. Get underthe van when it has cooled off and "thump" the exhaust with your fist to see if you can locate the rattle. Often, the heat shield welds break where they are attached to the catalytic converter. I have fixed many of them by taking 2 or 3 large screw-type hose clamps and screwing them together to make them long enough to reach all the way around the catalytic converter and tighten them down to stop the rattle. If the noise sounds like it is coming from INSIDE the converter, you will have to replace the catalyst. (or ignore the noise)

I believe I have the same problem with my 2006 Ody does your rattle when you accerate?

Most likely the heat shield has corroded off and is just sitting on top of the muffler or Catalytic converter. Regardless you can remove the shield and still run the the Xterra without any problems, the OEM muffler came with a heat shield as to the after market mufflers don't have one. The Catalytic converter also has a shield and you can remove it also as the Xterra has a heat shield on the floor board it self. Most exhaust shop if honest will tell you to just remove the rattling shield if there is no exhaust leaks or no Check engine light on that monitor's the Catalytic converter's performance.
A muffler shop if shady may advise you to replace the Catalytic converter and that can go for up to and beyond $400.00, so as long as there is no leaks or check engine light on. Go right ahead and remove the rattling shield.
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sounds like you have something loose first track were the noise is coming from and inspect the area for loose componets if it is coming from your motor then you might need a mechanic to check it out could be something loose in there

When catalytic converters go bad, the porcelain matrix inside comes loose and is noisy.
But you can just unbolt it, break up the loose chunks, pour out the pieces, and it will run better than ever.
If you don't pass the next emissions test, then replace it.

But it could just be the heat shield rattling instead.
Take the shield off first, to see if it goes away.

If it is the heat shield , any muffler shop can put a couple of welds on it. Could also be that the cat converter is destroyed inside with pieces of it ratling around. In that cast a new cat is the only answer.

Check the heat shield on the Catalytic Converter, after a few years they start to rust off and rattle. Crawl under the Pathfinder and bang along the Converter and muffler area and see where it's coming from.   Good chances are, it's from the heat shield since you already had everything changed from the Cat back.
Good luck and hope this helps.

I bet its just a the heat shield on the catalytic converter. Subaru uses very thin metal and the heat shield is bolted as opposed to welded together. This rattle is extremely common on subys.

mrmopar is right that you should replace it.

however there is a quick fix that will stop the noise. Go pick up a 6" stainless steel hose clamp at the hardware store. put the hose clamp around the cat. It should be obvious whats loose when you look under the car.

if you are a little handy its not a hard job to do your self. Just 4 bolts. You can get a catalytic converter for $200 online. Get the gaskets too. shouldn't take more than an hour or two.

You will need to put the car on jack stands or rhino ramps to get access. Once you are under the car, the parts are easy to get to.

Always, always chock the tires when your under the car. You do not want a car to fall on you.

IT COULD BE A EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD ALOT OF TIMES IF THAT IS WHAT IT IS I JUST REMOVE THEM IT WONT HURT ANYTHING CHECK ON TOP AND BOTTOM OF YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER