I don't know why it's so maddening, but for some reason the incessant rattling of loose exhaust or muffler parts can really make people boil. Those little gremlins that live underneath your car have found tin cans full of rocks, and it's always party time. It seems to rattle the loudest when you least need the attention, like in front of your kid's preschool as you pull in between the Mercedes SUV and the giant Lexus. It's one of those things that, no matter how great your car may be, makes it sound like a piece of poo.

If you've been suffering under the noisy cloud of the all-gremlin tin can band, I think we can help. There's a little heat shield underneath your car that keeps your feetsies from cooking, and it always seems to rattle loose over time. Once you know what to look for, you can repair your exhaust heat shield in 10 minutes. It may be small, but I promise you it's one of the most satisfying repairs you can perform on your car.

photo courtesy The Wong Family Photos