Exhaust rattle solution?

Hi group,
I have a 96 jx convertible and have been putting up with this loud rattle at
idle for the longest time, and now it has gotten louder (and somewhat
embarassing). The shop says it is the catalytic converter, and wants $700 to
replace it.
The car has 135k miles. I'm not willing to invest that amount in a car whose
blue book value is about $3k, and want to get a least another year out of
it. We really enjoy driving this "classic" car and hate to trade it in.
There is nothing else wrong with the car. Even the original roof is in
excellent (some cosmetic marks) condition.
I'm assuming the guts of the converter have broken loose inside. What if I
either squeezed it with a c-clamp or drove some stainless deck screws into
the sides of it. Would that hold it or make it worse? I'm not familiar with
this item. Any ideas for a quick fix without breaking any laws? Thanks.
Rick

 

The honeycomb in the convertor is wrapped with a mesh screen, if that
screen gets worn the honeycomb will rattle within the casing, i would not
run screws thru it, You wont be able to clamp it off or crush the casing to
stop it

 

II think that there are "universal type" convertors that are considerably less expensive (cheaper??) than from
DC.

 

The shop's probably right about it being the catcon, but $700 sounds like
the price for a dealer to install a factory catcon. Forget that noise; go
to a good local independent exhaust shop (stay away from the franchise
houses -- Midas, Meineke, etc. install shitty parts using shoddy labor).
There are fully approved aftermarket catcons that will do just fine and
you can get one installed at considerably lower cost than $700.

Either of these hacks would make it very much worse, very fast.

Replace the converter. Your performance and fuel mileage will increase,
and the rattle will go away.

 

This is really good advice, and you should take it. Basically you should
avoid any chain that has stockholders to feed using your money. That's a
pretty good rule for any kind of car repair.

 

He didn't say where is is from but if he lives in California, and if his '96
has the same system as my T&C (I believe it is the OB II system), he can only
go to a state approved shop that will charge roughly the same as the dealer.

 

I would check this myself and make sure it is the cat con and not just the
heat shield that is rattling. The heat shield is cheap and easy to fix, the
cat con is more expensive and requires more labor.

 

you could get a aftermarket coverter for about 250 +labor to weld it in

 

Maybe wherever you are this is acceptable but in California - No Way!

 

New Jersey
Rick

 

Good idea. But the dealer checked and said it was the converter. I could get
a second opinion, maybe get a gas station to lift it and check myself.
Rick

 

If, as seems to be the case, you're trying to minimize car repair and
upkeep costs, why on earth are you taking it to a *dealer* for repair?!

 

Perhaps he has a reputable dealer of which, contrary to what you continue to
try to convince people, there are many.