106 Cat replaced, now dodgy gear changes

106 XN Petrol R Reg

Driving up to Birmingham and the exhaust starts roaring. Managed to get it
fixed (new catalytic converter), but since then I have had gearbox issues.

At 37mph in 4th, there is a loud metal-on-metal shaking noise
At 55mph in 5th, there is a less pronounced vibration
4th to 5th is very difficult
5th to 4th is also difficult

Also, there is movement in the gearstick which there isn't normally - if I
accelerate, I feel the gearstick pull back which I've had in a few shagged
hire cars before, but never on mine.

Someone I spoke to said that this could be to do with the mechanic knocking
the gear linkage. How likely is that? Is it something that can be sorted
fairly easily, or do I have to look forward to a shagged gearchange
forever?!

Thanks,

Regards,
Marcus

 

There are three possibilities I could think of:
1. Has the mechanic dislodged the heat-shield plate below the cat. It
is a thin perforated metal plate. If it is loose, then at certain revs
it will vibrate causing the metallic rattling noise.
2. The gear linkage is at the rear of the engine compartment above the
exhaust and can easily have been dislodged if the exhaust front pipe
was removed.
3. Alternatively the gear linkages need greasing as if the cat packed
up there would have been quite a bit of heat, thus drying the gear
linkage and resulting in difficult changes.

It may be something totally different, but its worth checking the
above first before assuming the worst.
Regards
Matt

 

According to my invoice, all that was replaced was the cat and some clamps.
The rattling does sound like it's pretty think metal, not a (presumably)
thin metal plate.

That sounds pretty likely.

Also likely. I had to drive quite a way with my car sounding like a
dragster.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards,
Marcus

 

[SNIP]

Just for your information, the garage had fitted the cat upside down so the
curve in the pipe was knocking the gear linkage. Had a local place flip it
up the right way for £20 (including a flange ring that was also missed).

MS

 

Did you tell the garage that fitted the cat that they had done a bad job,
and about what they had done!?? You should! How many other cars have they
done like this??!
regards, mark.

 

I'm in the South East and the garage is in Tamworth (near Birmingham), so
all I've been able to do is to send the invoice (with note from garage who
re-did the cat saying about the flange ring and upside-down cat) complaining
and asking for money.

Fingers crossed. Although it is the principle more than the money I'd say.
£20 to sort it is OK, but I would have been fuming if it damaged the gear
linkage or cat, as that would be £100 minimum to sort.

MS