It's there, actually to protect it from the shocks from wearing a hole into the header since it's only aluminum, very soft aluminum... I realize when you remove it you will have like an 1/8" but if you land hard on the rear you will actually push the shock tower into it. I installed one my Rear Toe Rods from the top of the shock tower to the front of the engine mounting plate to help that from happening I think ther is a pic of it in my gallery(I need to update my gallery) If not let me know and I will get one.