Greetings,
The catalytic converter on my '97, 850 (non turbo) needs to be replaced. Is this a bolt in job that the average home mechanic can do, or should I take it to a shop? Where do you recommend to order a new catalytic converter? I don't want to pay the dealer prices for this work. Do places like Maxi Muffler, or other local/national stores replace these? What are your suggestions? By the way, the car has over 215,000 miles, I don't know if the cat has been replaced before we got the car, but it rattles, and the sound is inside the cat (I got under the car and hit the cat with my fist, and I could hear the rattling)

Thanks,
Stuart

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If you do it your self be sure to use anti sieze compound on the O2 sensors. If the O2 sensors haven't been replaced you might want to do it while changing the Cat.

You sure don't want to pay dealer price for a cat! WOW!! Have to mortgage the house. Provided you get the correct one, not a bad job for the average DIYer provided the mating exhaust components are sound and aren't deformed, bent etc. You need a good set of jack stands (your life is riding on them) and a helper if at all possible to help hold things in place. As mentioned, a good time to do your 02 sensors if they're due. Just remember they have ceramic tips and they're fragile (and expensive). It doesn't take a lot of hammering on the pipes to destroy them.

bl