1998 Ford Ranger Exhaust Help

[sitdownpro]

I have a 1998 Ford Ranger 3.0L Standard Splash XLT. My exhaust is making a muffle noise and I have located it to a specific place in the system. When coming down from the engine the piping goes through a small looking box. The box doesn't seem to be a cat and I was told it might be a flex joint. I will post a picture of it when I get home, but if you have any ideas on what it is please let me know. Also the piping is kinda like this:
~~~~~~~~~~~v Cat?
Enigine---[]--\ [-----]_______
Engine ---[]--/ [____]

~~~~~~^ this is the leaking box

 

[sitdownpro]

http://pets4489.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=172811824
I couldn't figure out how to add a picture here. The box in the cener with the silver plating on it. The picture is looking towards toe front.

 

[SenorNoob]

That certainly looks like the cats on my sisters 98 2wd to me. Seems to be in an odd location tho. Maybe it's a 4WD thing?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It looks like a heat shield of some kind. Some times spot welds will break and cause a rattling sound. Check to see if it's loose. You may be able to fix temporarily by using hose clamps.

Richard