I rapped mine with a hammer and heard the loose debris rattling around; the same noise I got under acceleration at 2.5 to 3K revs.
Ordered from auto train online for $221 and after taking my order the informed me that it was on back order and they had no replacement part available..They indicated that I could not cancel the o2 sensor I ordered, as it was not necessary without a new cat to put it on.
Today I ordered from Parts Geek and tried to find a tel# to call and confirm that actually had one in stock to no avail. I guess overnight is not an option as it was not offered during the purchase process. Once you provide your CC # you get a page that tells you that you will get a tracking number in 2-3 days yet at the same time it informs you that you cannot cancel the item because it is shipped within the hour-well if that is the case why does it take so long to provide the tracking #? The site indicated that the had 8 in stock. We'll see if/ when I receive it.
Prior to ordering I did a dry run to make sure I could break loose the 3 15mm nuts holding the cat. Sprayed with PB Blaster and worked on them hot. You need a 12" extension and as I was working in the ground I needed to use my feet to break them loose-and all three did.
I really had to work at the bracket that holds the el on the downstream end to get it loose used a crow bar. I gave it some raps with a lump hammer and it popped out. Getting it back in was not easy as it is not perfectly aligned, but I got it in far enough to bite and not leak until I get the part.
My next challenge was to disconnect the upstream 02 sensor. Warning the cat cools a lot faster than the transmission and you really have to wrench your arm up in there to get it off, relatively blind as your arm blocks any visibility. But I worked it loose with a blister...reconnecting it was just as tough as again there is no visibility.
I tried to remove the 02 sensor with the offset socket available, there is absolutely no room to wrench once you try to get the ratchet on the 02 tool. Both of the sensors are on the top of the cat. I saw a specialized tool for $20 that looks like it may work for these inaccessible 02 sensors. As I am replacing theses I will not need to pull them out, but it seems that I would not be able to get them out if I wanted to without first removing the cat..
So parts and weather pending I hope to get the new cat and sensors in this weekend.
