Toyota Repair: 1999 Solara undercarriage, toyota camry solara, toyota camry

Question

Part The car is a 2 door, manual transmission, 1999 Toyota Camry Solara. I was
driving and heard a sound of metal scraping pavement. When I looked under
the car there was a piece dangling. I checked it out with a flashlight and when
I touched it, it came unattached. (See picture). It was just behind the front
wheels. What came loose? Is this going to be a major repair? Is it safe to drive
in the meantime?

Answer
This is a heat shield that covers the catalityc converter, it's purpose is to keep foreign matter off the converter which can reach 1800 degrees, the shield is replaceable, contact your toyota dealer. Yes, it's safe to drive but it should be replaced as soon a spossible as the missing shield can also cause the floor of the car in the vicinity of the converter to get hotter than normal.