I recently had the catalytic converter stolen off of my Dodge pickup. As best as I can tell, there are about 5 bolts holding the catalytic converter assembly to the engine exhaust and a couple of relatively trivial brackets to hold it in place. It’s a VERY expensive part to replace.
My question is: What can I do to secure it to prevent someone stealing it in the future but still have it removable if needed?
Some options I’ve thought of:
Use loc-tite on the bolts. If I use red loc-tite, the nuts will never come off again which prevents theft and makes it impossible to ever work on.
Weld a piece of rebar to the frame and exhaust pipe. Not sure this will work but I’ve seen it mentioned other places.
All that may not help. Many times the thieves just cut off the cat.
Welding anything from the frame directly to the exhaust system would be a big mistake. You’ll get a LOT of noise and vibration. Plus if the exhaust can’t move a little, it will probably break.
Yeah, pickups are at risk because of the ground clearance. Easy to slide under and whang away.
Loctite is only permanent when not subjected to high heat - you can remove Loctited bolts with torch heat and torque. I think the converter heat would degrade the goop.
About the only things I can think of are:
[ul]
[li] Use some kind of “locking” bolts with nonstandard or keyed nuts.[/li][li] Spot-weld the bolts or nuts.[/li][li] Weld an ID plate on the converter[/li][li] Bolt a cover plate to the frame rails that covers the converter but allows the exhaust system to wiggle.[/li][/ul]
First two won’t do squat if they come to cut it loose. Third will only work if they have the intelligence to realize the problem. Fourth is clumsy. You could also:
[ul]
[li] Chain a pit bull to the converter.[/li][/ul]
Seriously, I’d go with MIG welding each of the flange nuts to their bolts. Would only take a minute or two to do and would be pretty secure. In the unlikely event you needed to replace your cat a shop would simply torch them off. A thief isn’t too likely to try that, it would make a lot of noise and even more sparks & flames!
If you have a good off-road/4x4 shop near you, they can probably make you a catalytic converter cage. These are mostly designed to prevent the converter from being damaged by rocks, but they also can double as good theft prevention.
In addition to securing the CC as recommended above:
File an insurance claim if the cost of replacement is greater than your deductible. Pay your deductible and get the part replaced. Being a comprehensive claim, theft risk is calculated based on your zip code and vehicle year/make/model. So your rates are quite unlikely to increase as a result of filing the claim (although it could happen).
Lower the deductible on your comprehensive insurance so you can replace it more easily if/when this happens again. I carry a $250 comp deductible now, though I prefer to carry $100. It’s not that much more expensive… I think it’s worth it.
Maybe. But it has the same weakness as all forms of “club”:
*weeeee-ooooo… *front pipe cut.
*weeeee-ooooo… *rear pipe cut.
*wee-ooo wee-ooo wee-ooo… *all but the biggest, toughest chassis members cut.
…30 seconds, one cat needing a bit of time to free from its cage, and probably enough charge left in the saw to liberate 2-3 more.
Yes, it could make some thieves go elsewhere… but if they’re coming in with a saw anyway, as any but the most casual thief will, they might take it just to prove a point. (I think only a casual midnight-auto-supplier will waste time using a wrench. Pros will acquire the seekret wrench key for this as quickly as they acquire other such things, too.)
A full under cage will be far more effective, IMO.
That’s the original problem: The Club - Makes the car undrivable! (conceded) Made from uncuttable steel! (conceded) Secured by an unpickable lock! (conceded) Clamped on an object that can be cut through with a nail file!* (oops…)
or even faster with any small metal saw… has to be, to meet safety regulations.
