Was on the road extensively last week and about 1/2 thru the trip I started getting an occasional metallic rattle in the GX. Wasn't tied proportionally to vehicle speed so I knew it wasn't brake, bearing, drive train etc. related. However, over the course of two days it increased in frequency. At hwy speeds it got comical at times sounding like I was driving an old (or new) Chevy - LOL.

Anyhow, in work clothes and hotel parking lots after dark, it was hard to see let alone remedy the noise but I had a pretty good clue to the cause. As suspected, typical alum [heat shield] panel held on w/ steel bolt corrosion failure. All 4 mounting points were done by the time I got to it this weekend. Guess I'll pick up some big *** fender washers this week and throw her back on. In the mean time, I'll hit the bolts w/ some penetrating oil for the next few days b/c they looked to be in tough shape.

After 106k miles in wonderful northeast [read: salted roads galore] winters, she just couldn't hang on any more

Oh well, just thought I'd share: