Looks like I will need to have a new nearside catalytic converter fitted as the innards of the existing one are rattling like a snakes tail.
I have been given very varied prices from speedy tyre/exhaust outlets ranging from £180=00 to over £400=00 which doesn,t include the lambda sensor.
After looking online it seems you can get the cat for less than £100=00 delivered with fitting kit.
Question is ....is it a doable fit on a driveway with axle stands and trolley jack ?
Assume I need gasket at manifold end and joining paste to mid section...should I also think about the studs as sure they will be pretty rusty or worse still snap when I try and remove them.
Or for all the possible grief I might have getting it off and new one on, should I just stump up the cash for the  cheapest quote and be done with it ??
Sure this has all now occured as a result of the nasty missfire I had several weeks ago when nearside plugs were almost under water !

Its certainly doable on the driveway...you will need extensions on the ratchet to reach the 2 bolts holding the cat to the exhaust manifold and probably an extension bar on the ratchet itself to give you enough power to turn the bolts...you will also need an extended socket, meant to be 16mm unless some muppet has changed them in the past...handily this is the same as the smaller spark plug socket :y

The cat to exhaust end is usually a pain due to rusting...lots of plusgas for a few days before might help...you will most likely need new bolts for this end and probably a washer and nut on each as the non GM cats often dont have the thread to screw the bolt in to...

How long it takes usually just depends on how rusted on it all is lol

Dont tighten up any of the bolts too much until you have it all back on and aligned as much as poss...

A pair of car ramps might be better than axle stands, higher and safer. I use two 3" X 8" X 4ft wood battings leading up  the ramps to steadily drive up to the top. Ramps on their own are a bit steep I find.

These are good for oil & filter changes as we do it on a decline with the back of the car up hill and drive up the ramps till it's level, plenty of room under the car for a bucket

MutantCav wrote on 12. Dec 2009 at 10:58:

Its certainly doable on the driveway...you will need extensions on the ratchet to reach the 2 bolts holding the cat to the exhaust manifold and probably an extension bar on the ratchet itself to give you enough power to turn the bolts...you will also need an extended socket, meant to be 16mm unless some muppet has changed them in the past...handily this is the same as the smaller spark plug socket :y The cat to exhaust end is usually a pain due to rusting...lots of plusgas for a few days before might help...you will most likely need new bolts for this end and probably a washer and nut on each as the non GM cats often dont have the thread to screw the bolt in to... How long it takes usually just depends on how rusted on it all is lol Dont tighten up any of the bolts too much until you have it all back on and aligned as much as poss...

And dont forget the copper grease on refitting. ;)

unlucky mark mv6 wrote on 12. Dec 2009 at 12:52:

MutantCav wrote on 12. Dec 2009 at 10:58: Its certainly doable on the driveway...you will need extensions on the ratchet to reach the 2 bolts holding the cat to the exhaust manifold and probably an extension bar on the ratchet itself to give you enough power to turn the bolts...you will also need an extended socket, meant to be 16mm unless some muppet has changed them in the past...handily this is the same as the smaller spark plug socket :y The cat to exhaust end is usually a pain due to rusting...lots of plusgas for a few days before might help...you will most likely need new bolts for this end and probably a washer and nut on each as the non GM cats often dont have the thread to screw the bolt in to... How long it takes usually just depends on how rusted on it all is lol Dont tighten up any of the bolts too much until you have it all back on and aligned as much as poss... And dont forget the copper grease on refitting. ;)

I'll second that, always think about the next time you come to do the job.

Ken L wrote on 12. Dec 2009 at 13:31:

unlucky mark mv6 wrote on 12. Dec 2009 at 12:52: MutantCav wrote on 12. Dec 2009 at 10:58: Its certainly doable on the driveway...you will need extensions on the ratchet to reach the 2 bolts holding the cat to the exhaust manifold and probably an extension bar on the ratchet itself to give you enough power to turn the bolts...you will also need an extended socket, meant to be 16mm unless some muppet has changed them in the past...handily this is the same as the smaller spark plug socket :y The cat to exhaust end is usually a pain due to rusting...lots of plusgas for a few days before might help...you will most likely need new bolts for this end and probably a washer and nut on each as the non GM cats often dont have the thread to screw the bolt in to... How long it takes usually just depends on how rusted on it all is lol Dont tighten up any of the bolts too much until you have it all back on and aligned as much as poss... And dont forget the copper grease on refitting. ;) I'll second that, always think about the next time you come to do the job.

Every little nut,bolt etc i take off and put back on now always gets a coat of the stuff. :y