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Catalytic Converter & Grinding


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may_chile88
New User

Nov 19, 2012, 5:47 PM

Post #1 of 4 (6464 views)
Catalytic Converter & Grinding Sign In

YEAR: 1996
MAKE: Mercury
MODEL: Mystique LS
ENGINE: 2.5 V6
MILEAGE: 142K

This is technically my first car, so I'm quite attached to it. Whenever I decelerate (not brake, but simply remove my foot from the gas), I will hear/slightly feel this grinding sound. Took it to a shop and was shown how the inner tread on my front two tires was horribly bald. Needed a wheel balance/alignment - done. Replaced all four wheels. Thought that would fix it; nope. Sound seems slightly louder now. Took it back to the shop and was told (and shown) how my catalytic converter is practically falling apart (the Heat Shield makes this awful rattling noise when idle--embarrassing) and was told that my Cat was breaking from the inside and a piece was lodged in the engine. Okay cool? So I go online to look at Cats and I know it's the rear, but I don't know what kind to get. There's a straight oval, then there's an almost triangular shaped one. Should I purchase the one with the pipe attached, or simply the Cat?

Also, any ideas as to the grinding noise coming from the front driver wheel? I've had new brake pads and rotors for all four tires. Thanks in advance!! :]


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 19, 2012, 5:53 PM

Post #2 of 4 (6448 views)
Re: Catalytic Converter & Grinding Sign In

You shouldn't purchase anything. You should drive it straight to an exhaust specialty shop and let them give you a quote. They have aftermarket pipes and if it's possible to use a universal cat, they are the only ones that can do that. They will be your cheapest and best option.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 20, 2012, 6:01 AM

Post #3 of 4 (6397 views)
Re: Catalytic Converter & Grinding Sign In

may chile88: From top post - Quote ">>was told that my Cat was breaking from the inside and a piece was lodged in the engine. Okay cool?<<"

Something is wrong with all this. You've been told you have parts from the converter lodged in the engine? That and tires found severly worn on insides, new tires and alignment was all that it took to fix that AND you have this persistent grinding noise??

You've been letting shops fix things it seems and fine if you are looking at converters and pricing but if this info is close on the problems mentioned there's some lack of communication.

My point is that I've never seen a chunk of converter get lodged in an engine. Heat shields anything can flap, touch and make horrible noises or if exhaust parts are somehow touching in wrong places via rust or physically damaged somehow. Even at the age and miles some heat shields alone can be repaired. I just don't see phsical damage to body of converter very much at all but rather more issues with how connected.

Is this the same tech or place for all the things you have already done? You should have a printout showing alignment is correct with perhaps even the before and after results. Did that tech drive this car after alignment with the other problems and say nothing?

Just saying there's something wrong with this scene in general,

T


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 20, 2012, 7:52 AM

Post #4 of 4 (6385 views)
Re: Catalytic Converter & Grinding Sign In

I will agree. It's pretty hard for anything to move forward against exhaust pressure.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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