Rattle in the Cat (89 5.0 GT)

[Paddy]

After accelerating or coasting down there is the most god awful rattle coming from under my feet. I jacked the car up and pumped the gas (in neutral) and was able to isolate the noise in the front driver's side cat. I verified this by hitting the cat with a rubber mallet and it rattles inside (not the heat shield). The car has 70,000 gentle miles and the exhausts are near mint. I take it the inside of the cat has broken loose.
Questions:1. Is there anyway to get the bits out without having to cut out the cat? 2. Would you have to treat both sides to the same fix in order to ensure a balanced flow?
Thanks in advance.

 

[BlackFox5.0]

If it's between the first and second cat, you might not be ableto get the pieces out. But if it's right after the header, then taking the pipe out and shaking it should make them fall out if they are small enough. If you have the money sepnd it on a Catted H, or X pipe. I've heard the bassani's they are nice. There are a few companies that make them. I wo uld stay away from the cheap ones such as BBK, and MAC if you are looking to pass emissions with flying colors....

 

[Michael Yount]

It's gonna be a crap shoot - you won't know what the outcome is gonna be unless/until you try. You might get it out - you might not. If they've broken up on one side, they're probably not far behind on the other - treat both sides - whatever the treatment is. Probably goes without saying, if you have emissions to be concerned with up there in BC, well, you know the implications of that with regard to whatever solution you attempt.

 

[Paddy]

Thanks for the notes.
I had the pipe replaced (with a used one) and sure enough the first Cat had come adrift. I was going to have a go at pounding out the damaged part and then take out the good one on the other side but the mechanic sawed off the blow tube so I let it go to the scrap heap.
We have pretty tough emission controls here and I have to get the car tested next month.
Again thanks:
Paddy.