Good day, I have a 98 Civic LX (canadian) 5 spd. 197000kms. The car suddenly developed an exhaust rattle, and sure enough, one of the welds on the heat shield underneath the shifter had rusted off. I took the heat shield off, but I am wondering if there will be any adverse effects from doing this, since there are plastic and rubber parts in the area the shield was protecting. Thanks t