My Dad has determined that the "honeycombs" inside the cat. converter on his 97 e420 have begun to break off and are rattling around in there. Is there any solution to this problem outside of getting a whole new cat? (for at least $400). Also, what would cause something like this? There are no instances of it whatsoever on this forum, and my dad is having trouble finding info on how to repair it. So I am assuming it is something that does not happen often. He is considering just taking the cat. off, removing the rattling pieces, then putting it back on. Is there any problem with doing this? One would think that the emissions would be more polluted with the loss of some "honeycombs," thus making it harder for the car to pass inspection. what does everyone think about all this?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

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headrivenoise... listen.

anyone have any input on this?

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headrivenoise... listen.

This is obviously a sensitive issue because it involves emission standards/legal stuff!!. what you do to your car is your prerogative, but I doubt that you would get any advice from any benz technician other than to replace the cat.

I know plenty of truck guys who have blown out the guts of their cat, and put it back on to "appear" legal for emmissions. ---but it depends on the state what the laws are.

you can get replacememnt universal cats from companies like Magnaflow and Catco, search Summit Racing or Jeg's and find on that matches your size and pipe diameter you can get away with a new one for much cheaper than $400 I bet

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'86 560 SEL - W126 - 158K - for sale!

'97 Chevy Tahoe
'85 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham limo !!!!

I once put a straight pipe in place of my broken cat. For funsies I took it to an emissions testing station to get a reading. It failed miserably.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

You need to replace it or gut it. Those are the only two options. And you do not need to replace it with a MB unit, you can cut the old one out and put the new universal one in its place. Just make sure the new one is at least the same size and a three-way cat. Of course an exhaust shop should do this for you, and don't let them jack you because it is an MB. They like to think that these cars are somehow diferent than any other car out there. When in reality the engine and exhaust is just like any other engine and exhaust as far as operation of it goes.

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~Jamie
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2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....

We replace dozens of cats every week. It's more common on newer cars. As far as gutting the cat on your dad's car the only concern I would have, other than the legal side, would be the possibility of the check engine light coming on. The purpose of the rear 02 sensor is to monitor cat efficiency. Without a cat on one side you'll probably end up with fuel trim/adaptation problems. If it's a nice car and you plan on keeping it I'd bite the bullet and fix it right. Just my two cents.