Can I see anything in Catalytic Converter? Is it bad?

[flyhop]

I have the resonator off and am about to put a new one on. While I have it off, I can shine a light inside the catcon.

Should I be able to see anything inside of it that would indicate if it's going bad or not? I've given it a good shake and don't hear anything rattling around.

Thanks.

[flyhop]

All I can see in there is a screen inside the tube. I've given it another good shake but don't hear anything.

No codes or anything. Just checking while I have this thing apart.

[blue92]

Thats not actually a screen , but the hundreds of tubes that make up the 2 biscuits in there.
If its not rattling, it should be fine.

[flyhop]

Describe "rattle". I'm hearing something, but I can't tell if it's just the flex tube making noise. It's a bit of a metallic sound. I wouldn't say it's coming from inside the CatCon.

[blue92]

If one of the biscuits has broke free it will flop around inside when you shake it.
There is a great video on how converts are built and work. Its quite informative and should give you a better idea of how its built. Over at sellyourcatsdirect in the video section.

[flyhop]

OK...no sound at all. What I was hearing was the O2 sensor wire brushing against the heat shield. All's good now. Thanks for the heads up on what to be listening for.

[Swisher]

My exhaust started shaking a couple day's ago....haven't checked if it's just something loose down there(that's what she said), or if the cat is going bad which would suck.