bballfreak

The honey comb in the catalytic convertor (driver side) of my 2000 ML55 is rattling. My ML55 has like 96,000 miles on it.
It is kinda annoying to hear the exhaust rattle.
Am in San Antonio, TX and they do not check for emissions yet,I think Austin has started.
The best price I got is a like $1100/-, told the list is like $1400. Seems steep.
I have been searching the net, but seems like a dealer item only.
I dont think there is an aftermarket one available yet.
I did all the oil changes like the auto transmission oil, differential oil (front/back), antifreeze change, brake fluid change, gear oil change. The dealer recommends not to change the transmission oil, but it was quite dark, the new oil is bright red.
Kinda weird after doing all these fluid changes, the engine temperature dropped by like 10 degrees.

Any ideas or suggestions on the catalytic convertor.
Thanks
Barry
isc@satx.rr.com

55fanatic

barry, your right, it is a dealer item only, it probably isnt the honey come that is rattling but rather the units has probably split open and that is the rattling you hear. Be happy yours waited 96k miles to do that, normally its a su 60k mile problem.

If it is annoying you too much have it changed, the labor to change that piece is going to be quite high as well
-Pete

99e320

no emissions check? want much power straight pipe it or buy some hiflow dynatech cats 300 cell 150 per cat, more power for cheaper. if it was me id just get straight pipes on each like i did with my ls400. more power not much louder at all.

jaydcc69

What I did for mine was take off the complete exhaust. Bring it to my muffler shop who has a mandrel bender for pipes. Had him make the exhaust 1" larger diameter and then replaced all the components with Magnaflow parts. I used the magnaflow cats. It is a deeper sounding setup but passes the PA emissions tests perfectly.