Catalytic Converter Rattles Inside

I have a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The catalytic converter has an internal rattle that is heard at idle, in gear.

No smell or loss of performance is evident.
Replace the converter now or wait til it starts to stink?
I don't want to be stranded if it could completely fail or plug.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Are you sure it's not the heatshields that go around these exhaust parts? These frequently come lose or corrode off.

If you are sure it's within the cat, you could probably get away with leaving it as is untill you get a check engine light or performance problems.

If you do have the funds to get one, I would replace it.

 

very common in Jeep...........If you ignore it eventually it will plug the exhaust and reduce performance..........When changing the Cat also check for tune up as a poor running engine will eat a new Cat............

 

I had the same problem with my 93 dakota and I listened to it rattle for a couple years and finally got tired of it and pulled it off gutted it and ran a pipe through it and ran it like that. Although it is illegal to run without one or do what I did, when your broke your broke. I am planning on getting a aftermarket cat though. They run around 60-100 or more and they are pretty free flowing and cut down on some of the back pressure and add some extra HP. normally the oem ones are pretty restrictive and also expensive ta boot. I had putt a new flowmaster muffler on mine and with it being free flowing and not having any backpressure from either it or the cat, the truck runs kind of sloppy now and not to mention really loud. So I figure if I go back with a cat it will not only make the truck run better, it will also make it run quiter. So my suggestion is either have a new one put on or do it yourself if u can. If u have the funds, have it done. crawling around on the ground working on exhaust systems are not a fun way to pass the time, Believe me I know.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Rattling is definitly inside the converter.
I probably will replace with an aftermarket. I have access to someone who can weld.

Can anyone suggest aftermarket brand?