Please help with catalytic converter assembly replacement questions
#1
JK Newbie
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Antonio, TX
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Please help with catalytic converter assembly replacement questions
If you have replaced your cat assembly, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I recently began an attempt to replace my cat assembly with a new part. This is on a '09 Wrangler X Unlimited. Was using the How-To posted on this site as a guide but ran into some issues.
First, the How-To notes that the crossbar could be removed, but shouldn't be necessary. I am finding that it absolutely has to be removed in order to slide the Y-pipe out of the exhaust pipe and lower the assembly. There's just too much length past that crossbar to the exhaust and it prevents the Y from coming down and out with the rest of the ridiculously large assembly. In fact, I'm not even sure the upper cat can will clear the front drive shaft when I finally am able to get the lower end past that crossbar. Also, the How-To neglects to mention that the transmission rests on that crossbar, requiring a lot more work to remove it than expressed in that How-To.
Does anyone have experience with this and can tell me if they found it necessary to remove the crossbar and/or the front drive shaft? I'm about to cut the old assembly out, but I may still be stuck having to remove things to get the new one in. Any advice is much appreciated!
I recently began an attempt to replace my cat assembly with a new part. This is on a '09 Wrangler X Unlimited. Was using the How-To posted on this site as a guide but ran into some issues.
First, the How-To notes that the crossbar could be removed, but shouldn't be necessary. I am finding that it absolutely has to be removed in order to slide the Y-pipe out of the exhaust pipe and lower the assembly. There's just too much length past that crossbar to the exhaust and it prevents the Y from coming down and out with the rest of the ridiculously large assembly. In fact, I'm not even sure the upper cat can will clear the front drive shaft when I finally am able to get the lower end past that crossbar. Also, the How-To neglects to mention that the transmission rests on that crossbar, requiring a lot more work to remove it than expressed in that How-To.
Does anyone have experience with this and can tell me if they found it necessary to remove the crossbar and/or the front drive shaft? I'm about to cut the old assembly out, but I may still be stuck having to remove things to get the new one in. Any advice is much appreciated!
#3
JK Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Boiling Springs, SC
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If you have replaced your cat assembly, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I recently began an attempt to replace my cat assembly with a new part. This is on a '09 Wrangler X Unlimited. Was using the How-To posted on this site as a guide but ran into some issues.
First, the How-To notes that the crossbar could be removed, but shouldn't be necessary. I am finding that it absolutely has to be removed in order to slide the Y-pipe out of the exhaust pipe and lower the assembly. There's just too much length past that crossbar to the exhaust and it prevents the Y from coming down and out with the rest of the ridiculously large assembly. In fact, I'm not even sure the upper cat can will clear the front drive shaft when I finally am able to get the lower end past that crossbar. Also, the How-To neglects to mention that the transmission rests on that crossbar, requiring a lot more work to remove it than expressed in that How-To.
Does anyone have experience with this and can tell me if they found it necessary to remove the crossbar and/or the front drive shaft? I'm about to cut the old assembly out, but I may still be stuck having to remove things to get the new one in. Any advice is much appreciated!
I recently began an attempt to replace my cat assembly with a new part. This is on a '09 Wrangler X Unlimited. Was using the How-To posted on this site as a guide but ran into some issues.
First, the How-To notes that the crossbar could be removed, but shouldn't be necessary. I am finding that it absolutely has to be removed in order to slide the Y-pipe out of the exhaust pipe and lower the assembly. There's just too much length past that crossbar to the exhaust and it prevents the Y from coming down and out with the rest of the ridiculously large assembly. In fact, I'm not even sure the upper cat can will clear the front drive shaft when I finally am able to get the lower end past that crossbar. Also, the How-To neglects to mention that the transmission rests on that crossbar, requiring a lot more work to remove it than expressed in that How-To.
Does anyone have experience with this and can tell me if they found it necessary to remove the crossbar and/or the front drive shaft? I'm about to cut the old assembly out, but I may still be stuck having to remove things to get the new one in. Any advice is much appreciated!
#4
I looked at possibly doing that and it looked difficult and it looked like the cross member had to be replaced. Personally, about the bolts, I would cut them off and replace with new. Just seems easier. But my problem wound up being the O2 sensors, that cleared up my cat code. Good luck
#5
JK Enthusiast
I did this repair a couple years ago. I did not remove the crossmember on disassembly because I cut the old exhaust out in 4 pieces. I thought I was saving myself time but I was wrong because it is absolutely necessary to remove in order to get new y-pipe in. I did have to unbolt the driver side upper control arm also to get cats out and back in. Not a big chore though. Go ahead and remove both inner fenders as well to make life easier. This will provide better access to remove and replace bolts holding y-pipe to manifold. I didn't do any of this at first and the removal was a nightmare for a brief period. But I did remove everything before installing new cats and the job was a breeze. I was being lazy and it busted my balls. So take my advice. Don't be lazy. Ha. If you prepare properly it's really not a hard job. Good luck!