2017 Rogue Muffler Diffuser

[mmascari]

The silver beam thing attached to the back side of the muffler. I think it is the Muffler Diffuser.

How important is it?

It appears to be bolted to a bracket that is welded to the muffler. On my car, the passenger side bracket weld failed (or rusted, or something) and the entire beam was hanging down from the drivers side. This ripped the diffuser near the drivers side bracket. Unable to get the bolts out on the drivers side, because I had the wrong tools with me, I just ripped it the rest of the way through. The muffler itself looks fine as far as I can tell. With the left 2 inches of the diffuser still attached.

Beyond concern that the entire muffler rusts through or develops holes.

Anything I should worry about driving without the diffuser?

Replacing just the diffuser would be easy, getting a new bracket welded to the muffler to attach it to harder, getting an entire new muffler just for the diffuser mount feels extravagant.

Thanks.