Cant get exhaust manifold heat shields out

[djvx]

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.

[djvx]

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 both are now off the engine.