Step 1. Remove exhaust at pipe/cat interface.
Step 2. Remove muffler from cat
Step 3. shake pieces of cat matrix from inside of muffler
Step 4. Take punch and hammer and finish removing matrix from cat can
Step 5. Reassemble
Problem solved.
Step 5a. Sell one small child to gain $$$ necessary to purchase
replacement cat.

Jim

Andy Yarnell wrote:
> Listees,
>
> I have had a couple of weeks of good performance and driving in my 87 Wolfy GL, but in the past few days a new sound has come about, and I am not getting the torque and acceleration I used too, mainly on the highway, it just sits at 3200 RPM floored, and I can not get over 55 mph. Before I could get up to 70-75 mph at around 4000 RPM.
>
> I am having trouble figuring out where this rattling sound is coming from, it sounds like coins going around in the clothes drier, only appears at idle, or low RPM, when you give it gas the rattling goes away. My exhaust and headers are in sorry shape; rusty, holey, welded and then broken again near the passenger side head, I hope to replace it all next month. I do need plugs, wires, cap and rotor, which I have on order from Bus Depot, so hopefully this will help with the performance issue. It seems like the low power comes only when the rattling sound is apparent, when the rattling is not there, "regular" performance returns. I wish I could figure out where the "coins in the drier" are, but it sounds like it could be coming from just about anywhere. I could even be in the tranny for all I know.
>
> Any help or similar experiences will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Andy
> 1987 Vanagon Wolfsburg Weekender GL "Wilma!"
>
> .
>