While doing some brake work, part of a ground strap broke off. It's on the rear driver's side, and the strap goes into, or right against, the hanger for the exahust pipes. I don't know if the end that is attached is the grounded end, or the end that needs to be grounded.

In the FSM it appears to be the strap for AAS, which I don't have, so it wouldn't matter. But I'm not sure, exactly since in the PDF FSM, that portion is a bit blurry.

I have pics, too, I'll post them, if you'd like.

 

It's nothing more than a bonding strap for the exhaust system. It is NOT a ground for anything, but is used to maintain ground potential between the exhaust system and chassis, to prevent static electricity buildups...

It doesn't HAVE to be there, but it's a good idea to keep it there, and repair it if necessary...

 

You can buy a very similar ground strap (braided) already assembled at Discount Auto for like $5. You'll have to file out the terminal holes a bit to allow the bolts to go thru. One end is attached to the muffler flange and other at the hanger like you mentioned.

 

Really? Wow... that's so simple. I can steal however many grounding straps as I will ever need from work, they're super heavy duty bonding straps used on telephone lines, for when they get struck by lightning.

Thanks for the help.

 

You got the gist of it, and that's exactly why that strap is there (not for lightning strikes, lol). Things moving through the air (helicopters, aircraft, and your exhaust system among them) build up a static charge that needs to be dissipated safely before an arc occurs...

 

I think I've had the arc before... it hurts.