Catalytic Converter only lasted 12k Miles...

... before I put a golfball sized dent in it. I'll give you two guesses, but you'll only need one.



Whoops.

Which leads to questions. There's a rattling noise coming from there. So I did what any curious f fellow with a simple tool box would do. I started looking around. I now know that I'll need to replace it. Should be fun.

Bigger questions.

1. When pulling off the cover, two of the 3 bolts and rust-welded to the nut and broke. Is that kind of rust normal for those on a truck that's only 15 months old?



2. Is it safe for the parts around it to drive without the shield on? After setting the shield in the sun for a minute it absorbed quite a bit of heat, so I'm going to assume yes and that it's just there to protect from road debris. But I figured I should ask a much more knowledgeable person, or peoples.

Also, yeah. I know. My Taco needs armor.

Thanks all!

 

1. That sucks, Exhaust fasteners are really a crap shoot. usually a torch gets em off or some penetrating oil and an impact. Do you live where the roads are salted? if so probably normal.

2. That shield is really to keep heat away from the nearby parts, also to mitigate the risk of fire (tall grass etc). I think you'll be okay without it just keep the fire thing in mind.

 

I'd keep the heat shields where they belong. They keep excessive heat from metal components, electrical components, dry grasses etc,.

Those cause grass fires even with the shields on, so be careful either way.

 

Sounds good guys. I'll go by Ace and get some hardware to get them back on.