Catalytic Converter Installation Instructions
Park in a level place and jack the vehicle up at all four wheels and support on jack stands. Replacing your vehicle's catalytic converter isn't quite like replacing a tire — you'll need to raise the entire vehicle off of the ground, rather than just one corner. It's very important to find a level spot to do this maintenance on your car. If your car is not stable, you risk serious injury or death if your jacks fail. If you have access to a professional-quality hydraulic lift and know how to safely use it, this is also an acceptable way to lift your car when replacing the catalytic converter. Allow the vehicle's exhaust to cool down.
Read your vehicle’s manual as well as the manufacturer’s installation instructions before you start. Find a level place to park and raise the car on four jack stands. To avoid burns, give the exhaust system time to cool down before proceeding. Remove the Old Converter; Start by removing the old catalytic converter.
If your vehicle hasn't had an opportunity to cool down after running, its exhaust system can still be quite hot. To reduce the risk of painful burns, give your vehicle a chance to adequately cool down before working on it. Depending on your vehicle's exhaust system, this will usually be a matter of just a few minutes.
To test the heat of the exhaust system, put on a pair of heavy mechanic's gloves and gently brush the exhaust tube with the back of your hand. If you can't feel any heat, you may cautiously repeat this test without the glove. Locate the catalytic converter.
Slide under the vehicle and locate the tubes of the exhaust system, which should run all the way to your vehicle's rear exhaust. The converter should not be terribly difficult to find — it will usually take the form of a rectangular or rounded 'box' in the middle of your exhaust system. Some models can have a roughly cylindrical shape. Check to see whether the converter is bolted or welded to the rest of the exhaust system at its connection points.
You may need to take it to an auto shop to have it repaired if it has already been replaced and welded back into position, rather than bolted. You can still replace a welded converter if you have access to a sawzall (or similar tool) and a welding machine and know how to safely use both, but these advanced tools are beyond the mastery of most amateur mechanics. Alternatively, for welded-in converters, cut the converter out. If your converter is welded into the rest of the exhaust system, rather than bolted in, the only way to remove it is to physically cut it out of the pipes it's connected to. Most mechanics will use a sawzall or similar tool for this purpose.
Cut along (or near) the existing weld lines, then remove the converter after it's cut free. If you finish and the converter won't seem to budge, you may want to use a hammer to knock it out of its place as long as you take care not to damage or rattle any other parts of the exhaust system (this can lead to harmful exhaust leaks down the road). Always defer to any included instructions. The instructions provided in this article are written for general cases of catalytic converter installation. Because the exact part needed and the installation process can vary from vehicle to vehicle, the steps you’ll need to replace your vehicle’s converter may be different than the ones here. When in doubt, always follow the instructions provided with your replacement part or consult the advice of a knowledgeable mechanic. Converters have a specific direction they should flow and have an arrow for direction of exhaust flow.
Catalytic Converter Installation Shops
If your car has failed a vehicle emissions test, the most likely reason is a faulty Catalytic Converter that will need to be replaced. If you take the car in to a professional repair shop for the replacement of the catalytic converter, the repair bill could be several hundred dollars. So, do the job yourself and save about half the money. Here is a handy step by step guide to show you how to replace the catalytic converter in your car.
What You Will Need. Car jack. Jack stands. Penetrating Lubricant such as WD-40.
Socket wrench or ratchet set. Breaker bar. Screwdrivers.
Hammer. Spare 2-inch bolts.
Spare lock washers. New catalytic converter made for your vehicle Step 1 - Jack Up the Vehicle Use your car jack to jack up the vehicle to a height where you can place the jack stands under your vehicle. Lower the car jack a little to allow the car to rest securely on the jack stands. Step 2 - Loosen the Bolts on the Catalytic Converter Use penetrating lubricant such as WD-40 or another type of lubricant to spray on the bolts that attach the catalytic converter and heat shield to your vehicle. Allow the lubricant is set for about 5 or 10 minutes so that it will help loosen the bolts. Step 3 - Remove the Heat Shield Many catalytic converters on vehicles have a heat shield. If your car does have a heat shield, you will need to remove it by loosening the bolts or screws that keep it attached to the catalytic converter.
Step 4 - Remove the Old Catalytic Converter Next, remove the bolts that hold the catalytic converter in place. The bolts will probably be very hard to turn and may even be rusted somewhat.
So, make sure to use your breaker bar to help release the torque on the bolts so that they can be removed. Step 5 - Install the new Catalytic Converter After you've removed the old catalytic converter, carefully aligned the new catalytic converter and secure it with the bolts. If you have trouble aligning the catalytic converter, you may need someone to hold it in place while you tighten the bolts. Step 6 - Replace the Heat Shield If the heat shield for your catalytic convertible is still usable, reattach it using the screws or bolts that you removed earlier. In some cases, the heat shield may be worn out our may have been damaged during removal. If this is the case, you'll need to head back to the auto parts store and purchase a new heat shield. Step 7 - Check for Exhaust Leaks Finally, start your car engine and check for any exhaust leaks that may be present in the catalytic converter area.
If you do observe any exhaust leaks, it is probably a result of a bolt that was not completely tightened. If there is an exhaust leak, remove the heat shield and apply more torque to the bolts that hold the catalytic converter in place.