Rear exhaust shield cracked? Ever have it happen?

[NY AttakGT]

Tearing down the sled ('07 Attak GT) last week, I noticed my rear exhaust shield was cracked in a few places. Both front corners were crached, where the two 10mm bolts secure it to the tunnel and both tabs that the J hooks from the seat bolt to were also cracked.

Found it kinda odd. Anyone else see this before? Everything was tight and all hardware was in.

 

[vicman]

The exact same thing happened to my 06 attak.

 

[mdkuni]

Yep, on my 06 Apex both tabs with the 10mm bolt cracked. Took mine to a welder, cheap alternative to a new one. Nice picture by the way

 

[number1kyster]

Mine was replaced under YES last year at about 11,000 miles.

 

[NY AttakGT]

Thanks for the feedback. Any idea why this might have happened?

My best guess is harmonics caused by vibration of the loose aluminum tunnel protectors underneath. The last two rivits were worn out and the tunnel protectors were loose and rattling in the back. Also the rivits that secure the rear x-over tube to the frame in the back were also worn and loose, which I popped in 2 new rivits.

PS. Thanks for the pic props mdkuni!