I started getting an annoying rattle from under my 89 toyota 4x4 pickup. 180K. 22RE. Was happening at high rpm. I traced it down to this problem with the Catalytic Converter. There is what appears to be a heat shield on the bottom side of it. That heat shield looks like a weld as rusted and broken and so now one side of the shield is loose and it causes a nasty rattle as it flaps against the C. C. Photos attached.

I'm thinking I just wrap some wire or a big hose clamp or something around that to hold back up in place and I'm good to go. I'm checking in here to see if there as any reason not to do that. I'd rather nor replace the C.C if it's not really necessary. I live in Colorado in the mountains at 8,750', these parts are not inspected here.

Also - I noticed the cable from the O2 sensor hanging down. I had that O2 sensor replaced a year ago. I don't think that cable should be dangling down free like that and I want to fix that too. How is it typically routed and attached?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

Pretty sure this is the correct section of the harness. There is a slide in clip on the O2 plug, this fits into a hole. The clip on the right attaches to i think the brake light harness..


I'll have to look better when I put it back, but yes yours isn't right it's also looped around the exhaust and shouldn't be it should be tucked up against the frame and cab out of the way secure and safe.


Edit: can see part of the clip/spud in your image, try the holes above the torsion bar in the cab stiffening rib.

 

Thank you for your helpful reply. I will undo the connector or whatever is necessary and re route that cable. I will look for a hole for that clip to attach to.

any opinion on my idea of se using that loose part of the catalytic concert or with a large hose clamp or some tie wire?

 

Well yes you could tie it back up, or even weld it. That (grey?) oddly colored spot on the side has me concerned there might be a blow out in the side of the cat you might want to check out first.

 

Thanks for your reply and thanks for pointing out that gray spot! It does look suspicious. Seems so obvious now,.......but I wasn’t recognizing it. Too focused on the loose plate and hanging cable I guess.

 

If its not getting inspected I would remove it and replace it with a test pipe or a glasspack type muffler. CAT's are quite restrictive and there is more than enough back pressure supplied by the OEM muffler.

 

thank you both. That gray spot was just where my finger or thumb wore a bit of the red dust off. I can see, feel or hear no leak. I put a clamp around the loose plate and it stopped the rattle. I re-routed the cable from the O2 sensor and got it tucked up into the frame. So, I guess all good...for now. Thanks!

 

These aren't race engines. The catalytic converter in these aren't that restive. I think that the ability of the catalytic converter to clean up the exhaust and turn harmful gases into less harmful gases giving me better air to breathe far outweighs the small drop in power.

 

Agreed. Plus it’s easier by far for me to leave it on versus take it off.

Of course if there was a hole in it as it was suspected there might be, then the suggestion to get rid of it is valid and might be more of a consideration.

Thanks to all!