Cant get exhaust manifold heat shields out

Both of my exhaust manifold heat shields have rusted off. One of them became wedged against my steering shaft causing a horrible grinding noise and it happened to slip past me as I went and started changing CV's, got an alignment, changed diff & transfer case fluids, started thinking it was a major issue with the diffs or transfer case. Anyway I cant get the heat shields out. They cant be reattached either. They wont bend or crush into a smaller shape and I tried taking them up and out and down and out but no go. I need to get the one by the steering gear out for sure because I see no way to keep it from interfering with the steering. Was looking for tips or help on this.

Forget it, after 2 more hours, a pipe & a BFH I beat it sensibly until it came out towards the bottom of the engine. The passenger side lifted out easily. But HOW important are these heat shields :confused: both are now off the engine.