Hi guys.  Last night I heard this nifty ting-ting-ta-ting-ting-ting
sound under the car as I was turning/parking/driving slowly.  Upon
inspection in the dark with a flashlight it was very clearly one of the
exhaust shields.  The piece in question was hanging down and later
disappeared on the way home.  GONE!  Couldn't find it today on the
roadside anywhere.  The piece in question is situated approximately in
the center of the undercarriage and would be more or less about as far
back as your butt as you sit in the driver's seat.  Ramble,
ramble...The question is:  Does(did!) this shield go between the
exhaust and the car...or between the exhaust and the road???  I assume
I don't need it if it is the latter.  But if it goes between the
exhaust and the body do I really need it either?  Yeah, I know, they
put it there for a reason :-)
Any thoughts?  Thanks.

KL