So a few days after putting new front and rear brakes in my car and a few months after spending $800 to fix some engine thing, I am driving and I hear a clinking sound. I thought that can’t be my car, but I stopped and it stopped. Then I started again and it started again. So I pulled off the road and see there is a container thing hanging off my car on the bottom middle. Apparently it protects something, but who knows what. It was attached at one time by 4 bolts, but it had rusted through and only had 1 bolt holding it on. I ripped it off, problem solved, unless of course a rock hitting what it was protecting causes the car to explode.
Not to worry though the next day my engine light went on again.
That might be your catalytic converter cover (heat shield)– it’s important out West because catalytic converters can get very hot and start brush fires, so stay away from tumbleweeds.
How I know that is a whole other story….