Skidplate question

[Gnome]

Hey so Ive fashoned a homebrewed "loose gravel" sign skid plate, and at idle it shakes the car, now i assume this is due to the exhaust touching the plate, is this something i can disconcern? or should i just bite the bullet and put the spacers in.

[rollo]

Why not drive it up onto some scrap bits of wood (for clearance) and take a look... it could be anything. But if it's the exhaust rattling against the plate, yeah either spacers, or bend or cut the plate. Or just live with the noise.

[Gnome]

no i know its hit the exhaust, im just wondering if this is a bad thing, i can handle the shaking i just needa know if its gunna be a hidden killer

[DKDunn04]

If it puts stress on the exhaust it could crack a weld after time.

[rollo]

Hmm.. I wouldn't think so, unless it's really pushing the exhaust up, which could cause stress on downpipe joints and stuff. Or if the exhaust gets really hot, and the plate absorbs the heat and melts your CV boots or something, but I think we're talking highly unlikely scenarios there :D Maybe I'm missing something obvious.

Ideally though, you don't want stuff rattling under there, and for the sake of a few washers and a few minutes, tbh I'd just fix it.

[UP2MTNS]

you'd be surprised, crap like that will eventually fail or cause issues, or whatever. I can't tell you exactly what will happen, or when....but it won't be today or tomorrow, it will be at the worst possible frickin' time.

Fix it now, do it right, and never worry about it again.

[rollo]

Listen to this man. He knows a lot about breakin' stuff.

[Gnome]

haha will do before the rally this weekend, thanks guys, it'll be a bitch to do alone but I dont need any issues from it thanks guys

[Gnome]

Hey do normal skid plates have z a rubber washer typethomg to reduce vibrations?

[rollo]

Is there such thing as a normal skidplate? :) I can't speak for everyone, but mine is just bolted straight on, and with the bolts tight it doesn't rattle at all. But rubber is a good isolator. Give it a try, see if it helps..

[kurt.]

The rattling that you're hearing could be the skidplate flexing as the steel is much thinner than the Al most people use. When you say normal, I'm assuming an.off the shelf unit.

-Kurt

[Gnome]

you im not hearing it, Im feeling it at idle its a boxer shake like a cammed v8 but to the tune of a boxer

[SubaCool]

I use these for spacers on both the Outback (Primitive skid) and the RS (OE skid off of a '86-ish DL/GL wagon) to allow for better clearance between the oil pan and the skidplate. I've had some left overs after a project and they were perfect for the spacer application. You can get a set of these at Autozone for like $10 (part # 9.8105).

http://www.energysuspension.com/assets/images/products/EndLinks8red.jpg

Do it right, even if you don't care about the noise or shaking ;)

[KevinWelker]

Definitely don't let it start knocking around or your knock sensor might pick up the noise and think it is detonation and pull a bunch of timing ruining your power and probably your gas mileage.