2007 TL type s. i ran over some sort of rodent a few weeks ago, a raccoon or porcupine or something and ever since then ive had the most annoying and strangle rattle coming from the exhaust. it only happens when i give the throtte a tap, at around800-1100 rpm, and it noticed when im accelerating at about 2500-3000 rpm. It isnt the cat heat shield because i already ripped that off because it was loose/rusting and i thought it might have been the problem. comes more towards the front, where the j pipe is. ALSO, the rodent tore off most of the mesh that surrounds my flex pipe, which influenced me to remove the whole mesh.
I tred getting under the car and having a friend rev it, but of course when i jack it up and go under it, the rattle disappears.
Has anybody experienced a rattle like this?
Maybe the flex pipe is now faulty?
Exhaust manifold heat shield maybe?
Any ideas are definitely appreciated.

 

intermediate shaft heat shield?

 

I vote heat shields as well. Look around the mesh of the Jpipe for any contact. If you have a friend with a lift, put it on the lift and run the car. See if you can pinpoint the noise.

 

One of your three catalytic converter heat shields
[just get a few large hose clamps and clamp them around the shield to stop rattle]

Or could be your intermediate drive shaft shield
[ just loosen all 3 12mm bolts an re-torque ]

 

Thanks guys. Ill go for the intermediate shaft heat shield. That's pretty much the area I hear it from. Sounds logical.