Auris Catalytic Converter Theft Solutions - Catloc, etc

[TonyHSD]

1 hour ago, AisinW said:

Thanks Tony, I found the smaller head 26002SU, 17mm instead of 19mm locally. 

That’s good 👍 These are what I used back then, they are very popular with Peugeot wheels bolts, it worked ok for me. 
Do you think the cat thefts becoming a norm in Germany similar to UK? 

[AisinW]

The one that pandemic now is Aldi/Lidl shopping carts scattered on the roads. Bustards who sell cart removal without coins must go to jail. 

We do not have that much cat theft yet but the case increases 200% since 2020, especially near the borders.  We have about 1000 cases this year from 400 in 2020.

[AisinW]

It is not that easy dealing with German rules and officials.  It seems we have to get some paper work and may be fee to install such add on. Their argument said, it can reduce the heat transfer which is partly true but it is negligible with how the original cat shield was designed. It is not that much restrictions. https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/verbraucher/Auto-Katalysator-vor-Diebstahl-schuetzen,katalysator104.html#:~:text=Experten weisen aber darauf hin,entstheende Hitze nicht entweichen kann.

But again, i cannot even wash my car outdoor. I use waterless car wash with extra thick soft microfiber.  Buffing headlights is ilegal, install spoiler is ilegal without approval, putting rims without certificate is ilegal even with proper size and dimension.  Things are not that simple here beside scheap speeding ticket. 

[TonyHSD]

35 minutes ago, AisinW said:

It is not that easy dealing with German rules and officials.  It seems we have to get some paper work and may be fee to install such add on. Their argument said, it can reduce the heat transfer which is partly true but it is negligible with how the original cat shield was designed. It is not that much restrictions. https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/verbraucher/Auto-Katalysator-vor-Diebstahl-schuetzen,katalysator104.html#:~:text=Experten weisen aber darauf hin,entstheende Hitze nicht entweichen kann.

But again, i cannot even wash my car outdoor. I use waterless car wash with extra thick soft microfiber.  Buffing headlights is ilegal, install spoiler is ilegal without approval, putting rims without certificate is ilegal even with proper size and dimension.  Things are not that simple here beside scheap speeding ticket. 

Germany I’d officially worse than England then. What a horrible rules, are they any legal requirements what car to buy? What a joke really. 
For the cat heat transfer they are right about it. Usually there should be opening under the car so when the car is moving the air stream that goes through engine bay and glides through the cat will exit under the car and take away the heat. The cat itself doesn’t need to be cooled, only the heat to go away from the car undercarriage. After long hours drive on motorway you can feel the floor of the car gets warm in hot summer days but that’s always been the case in all cars with energies. 👍

[Cyker]

Yeah, I didn't realize this until I started making some acquaintances over there, but it turns out car regs in Germany are way stricter than here. I think they may have some of the strictest car regulations in the world! You can't even put anything on the car unless it's TUV approved!

We got it easy by comparison... It's just a shame we don't all drive on the same side of the road as we'd get some import bargains from them, even better than JDM stuff!  (Apparently it's very expensive to keep a car in Japan after 3 years as it's subject to much stricter checks or something, so a lot of them get sold and shipped to here or Australia!)

On the other hand, I was speaking to someone from Canada and apparently his insurance is something like $5 a month!   Apparently they have some sort of public/social car insurance from the authority, rather than the private system we have here, but I think they get screwed in other places (Forget if its reg plate renewal or license or something like that).

[AisinW]

just got a reply email from TÜV/MOT. They said it is possible but I need to consult to local TÜV and pay consultation fee 33€ per 15 minutes. Not sure what does it means but in my opinion, looking at it and check thr structure only take 15 min but who knows how their time rating for such inspection.  There is a website who sell exact fit and claim no need TÜV inspection for fitting. It cost €178 but need drilling and rivetting. 

https://www.stahl-unterfahrschutz.eu/unterfahrschutz-fur-katalysatorcat-lock-der-marke-toyota-auris

[TonyHSD]

21 minutes ago, AisinW said:

just got a reply email from TÜV/MOT. They said it is possible but I need to consult to local TÜV and pay consultation fee 33€ per 15 minutes. Not sure what does it means but in my opinion, looking at it and check thr structure only take 15 min but who knows how their time rating for such inspection.  There is a website who sell exact fit and claim no need TÜV inspection for fitting. It cost €178 but need drilling and rivetting. 

https://www.stahl-unterfahrschutz.eu/unterfahrschutz-fur-katalysatorcat-lock-der-marke-toyota-auris

Lol, this is bad design imo. It covers the middle silencer and will retain a lots of heat.  
We don’t need that much cover, we only need to block access to the fitting bolts that connect the cat with the manifold.
Once this is covered no need anything else as if the pipe is cut then there is no chance to take away the cat unless the bolts been undone. Why Toyota are easy to target, because originally there is thin aluminium cover as seen on the pictures smashed and one bolt hanging on it, and once you bend it you have large opening and easy access to the bolts. Bolts are done in second with impact driver and extension, then another 30 seconds for the reciprocal saw and got your part. Total time with lifting up the car max 2 min. 
Your Auris and previous generation has different plates sizes. 👍

[AisinW]

I agree, Tony's style protector is much easier and can use secure strong bolts (wheel bolts). Do we also use 103 Nm torque on those bolts like in most Toyota wheel?

The manufacturer claimed that shield is an accessory and do not need ABE or TÜV  certification as long as it does not intervene how the car runs and safe. 

[TonyHSD]

6 hours ago, AisinW said:

I agree, Tony's style protector is much easier and can use secure strong bolts (wheel bolts). Do we also use 103 Nm torque on those bolts like in most Toyota wheel?

The manufacturer claimed that shield is an accessory and do not need ABE or TÜV  certification as long as it does not intervene how the car runs and safe. 

I think it’s about 75Nm on these bolts. Need to watch for the high voltage cable as the plate touches it when fitted. Some members has also used a non metal  washers to prevent eventual rust formation between two different type of metals. I haven’t used any washers though and I don’t see any more rust formed, the whole car is slowly turning into a rust bucket anyway, because of the amount of salt we have each winter. It is 6C° and the gritters are throwing salt like it’s end of the world 😢🫢

 

[AisinW]

I think stainless steel or steel washer is ok. But not copper or gold. I don't think we have any aluminum parts there. https://www.ebay.de/itm/254753396333?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=707-127634-2357-0&ssspo=F1_PMNI9QU6&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=5QRHI8XfS6O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[AisinW]

Does anyone ever need to paint this 3mm steel plate? I think it is just  a plain steel. If it is indeed galvanised, I can spend 2 cans of black spray paints+primer from Lidl or Aldi. Just to make it look OEM. 

@Kojacif the insurance goes up,  you can switch to other company for 3 years, usually it is cheaper. 

[TonyHSD]

1 hour ago, AisinW said:

Does anyone ever need to paint this 3mm steel plate? I think it is just  a plain steel. If it is indeed galvanised, I can spend 2 cans of black spray paints+primer from Lidl or Aldi. Just to make it look OEM. 

@Kojacif the insurance goes up,  you can switch to other company for 3 years, usually it is cheaper. 

My one is galvanised steel as it became darker with time but no rust and looks kind of oem without paint. 

[AisinW]

Thanks Tony. I just got a reply from the UK seller in eBay. The 3mm steel is not galvanized. I think I will paint it in spring with Aluminum-Zink Spray, followed by black paint+primer and enamel clearcoat.  It should be enough for the live of the car ~ 20 more years.  I found the spec of the Torque on those bolts. It is actually different on each bolt. 93NM on the short bolts (2) and 145 on the long bolt (middle)

I got it from Prius 2009-2015 Service Manual https://www.workshopservicemanual.com/m0072286-toyota-prius-xw30-2010-2015.html  

[alex_alexs28]

Good evening to all of you. I hope that this message finds you well!

I would like to offer an update following the theft of my catalytic converter, earlier in December, last year.

After a stressful period, mostly with the insurance, my cat has been replaced by Toyota, additionally adding a CATLOC and a tilting alarm, which are giving me some peace of mind. Both of these items have been covered by the insurance at my request.

Shortly after the incident, I have reported it to the insurance, Admiral Group, online. Two days waiting, no answer. I have started calling instead, and this is where some steps started to be taken.

 

Although verbally the process went smoothly with the colleagues from the insurance, in practice it was really slow, and has required me to make multiple calls to them, with waiting times of over an hour... which mentally was not easy. As an example, on the phone I have been told that my car will be recovered on a specific day, which has not happened. Later on to find out that the recovery company can not take the car yet, because Toyota was not told by the insurance that they want to bring the car and the recovery company was waiting on them to arrange this. After two days of waiting, I went back to the insurance to remind them that they have forgotten to notify the garage and only then things started to move. Basically in the same day

I wanted a replacement car from them, and they said that I will only get it after they will approve the estimate from Toyota. I got it, and I have sent it within two days, and then I have called. They have told me that it takes 48 hours to reach their system. I am calling again three days later, to then be told that their in house engineers have to have a look at it and they will let me know soon. I have waited a week, thinking that will be enough, but no one was reaching me, so I am calling again. After a long wait, then they told me that they need pictures and they have requested it from Toyota, and we have to wait for them. I have waited on Toyota two days for them to send, then I am calling again and they said the 48 hours thing... I complained but with no change. After these 48 hours, they have told me that now the engineers will have to go in person there, to which they didn't know a specific time. After this point, I have started sharing my frustration and basically telling them that they are purposely delaying the process and my replacement car... touching.

Luckily... They have agreed hired a car for me, from a local Enterprise branch. Not in the same class but I needed something, so I haven't complained anymore. They kept telling that without approving the estimate I won't be able to get it, so I took it as an exception considering how the process was moving.

After this, I have stopped chasing for two weeks, saying to myself that when will be done, will be done. However, a call came from Toyota to say that somehow they locked the car with the key inside, and If I can travel to the branch with the spare key to open the car to recover the other key. This has annoyed me, so I have started chasing again, and the following day they have approved the estimate, and then Toyota fixed it the second day. 

Toyota had the parts in stock throughout this period. They were only waiting for the insurance's approval.

I also had to pay the voluntary excess to Toyota.

Lastly, I don't think that any engineers from Admiral travelled there. I don't know, maybe I am wrong. However, I am also considering a complaint, because I feel like I have been taken advantage off and forced to accept the process in the way they wanted it...

[TonyHSD]

11 minutes ago, alex_alexs28 said:

Good evening to all of you. I hope that this message finds you well!

I would like to offer an update following the theft of my catalytic converter, earlier in December, last year.

After a stressful period, mostly with the insurance, my cat has been replaced by Toyota, additionally adding a CATLOC and a tilting alarm, which are giving me some peace of mind. Both of these items have been covered by the insurance at my request.

Shortly after the incident, I have reported it to the insurance, Admiral Group, online. Two days waiting, no answer. I have started calling instead, and this is where some steps started to be taken.

 

Although verbally the process went smoothly with the colleagues from the insurance, in practice it was really slow, and has required me to make multiple calls to them, with waiting times of over an hour... which mentally was not easy. As an example, on the phone I have been told that my car will be recovered on a specific day, which has not happened. Later on to find out that the recovery company can not take the car yet, because Toyota was not told by the insurance that they want to bring the car and the recovery company was waiting on them to arrange this. After two days of waiting, I went back to the insurance to remind them that they have forgotten to notify the garage and only then things started to move. Basically in the same day

I wanted a replacement car from them, and they said that I will only get it after they will approve the estimate from Toyota. I got it, and I have sent it within two days, and then I have called. They have told me that it takes 48 hours to reach their system. I am calling again three days later, to then be told that their in house engineers have to have a look at it and they will let me know soon. I have waited a week, thinking that will be enough, but no one was reaching me, so I am calling again. After a long wait, then they told me that they need pictures and they have requested it from Toyota, and we have to wait for them. I have waited on Toyota two days for them to send, then I am calling again and they said the 48 hours thing... I complained but with no change. After these 48 hours, they have told me that now the engineers will have to go in person there, to which they didn't know a specific time. After this point, I have started sharing my frustration and basically telling them that they are purposely delaying the process and my replacement car... touching.

Luckily... They have agreed hired a car for me, from a local Enterprise branch. Not in the same class but I needed something, so I haven't complained anymore. They kept telling that without approving the estimate I won't be able to get it, so I took it as an exception considering how the process was moving.

After this, I have stopped chasing for two weeks, saying to myself that when will be done, will be done. However, a call came from Toyota to say that somehow they locked the car with the key inside, and If I can travel to the branch with the spare key to open the car to recover the other key. This has annoyed me, so I have started chasing again, and the following day they have approved the estimate, and then Toyota fixed it the second day. 

Toyota had the parts in stock throughout this period. They were only waiting for the insurance's approval.

I also had to pay the voluntary excess to Toyota.

Lastly, I don't think that any engineers from Admiral travelled there. I don't know, maybe I am wrong. However, I am also considering a complaint, because I feel like I have been taken advantage off and forced to accept the process in the way they wanted it...

That’s seems like a nightmare dealing. I definitely won’t look at their policy on renewal. When we dealt with similar issue we didn’t faced that much delay and drama, although it wasn’t as smooth as it should be, but honestly these days I am not sure where can be found a proper customer service anymore. 

[FROSTYBALLS]

1 hour ago, alex_alexs28 said:

I don't think that any engineers from Admiral travelled there.

if their approved repairers are used, think insurers nowadays just rely on the repairer's estimates, rather than send assessors out.

If other repairers are used, most insurers will similarly rely on photos and estimates, unless they don't agree on costs. Some insurers now charge an additional excess if their approved repairer isn't used.

[Jimota]

There seems to be a number of UK companies that specialise in commercial van CATLOCs but it’s a little bit more difficult to find a wide range of specialists who provide a service for private cars.

[AisinW]

I just got it shipped from UK. I cleaned the surface with brake fluid because it is coated by wax or fluid film to prevent corrosion during shipment.  I spray a zn-aluminum spray primer, and paint it with thermal paint (white) for water room heater and black on the other side. It is pretty messy because i paint it in windy days.

[TonyHSD]

33 minutes ago, AisinW said:

I just got it shipped from UK. I cleaned the surface with brake fluid because it is coated by wax or fluid film to prevent corrosion during shipment.  I spray a zn-aluminum spray primer, and paint it with thermal paint (white) for water room heater and black on the other side. It is pretty messy because i paint it in windy days.

Good job done ✅ 

Looks oem. Don’t forget to take pictures once fitted to the car. 

[Saxmaniac]

I think that if your plate is stainless then you might get corrosion affect the steel of the car. (I've ever seen different grades of stainless corrode to cobwebs between themselves)

I used big fibre washers bet plate and car chassis. Same Peugeot wheel bolts as Tony, about 80nm. One slight concern might be that you could still undo these bolts with mole grip assuming your average criminal is going to be going that far, I think you can get cylindrical top hat things that cover the sides of the nolt heads. I never bothered but maybe worth a thought 

[tapir]

I've got a very similar plate to the above made from 3mm stainless steel. It was apparently laser cut and arrived with all edges like razors. I used a grinder and a flap disc to smooth off and make installation easier.

Just a note as mine is a 1.6 petrol non hybrid - the bolts all line up fine but the middle edge needs bending out slightly to fit. 

I was told not to worry about galvanic corrosion between steel and stainless? - thinking about it the bolt that linking the metal parts so even with fibre washers they are still in contact. Lets hope it won't cause issues! Well certainly less than a stolen cat!

Edit - here's a picture:

[TonyHSD]

My one is from the first available on eBay back in January 2020 when the cat thefts started to climb up. It’s made from 1.3mm galvanised steel, and I bolted it directly onto the body. So far I haven’t seen any rust formation but even if there are any it’s a way too late. I wasn’t aware of this rust formation between two different types of metal. So far so good., aged very well , 100k miles done and no issues to date. The picture is from yesterday. 👍

[Saxmaniac]

I think there's not much problem from galvanised plate coz the zinc will be corroded away preferentially and when that's gone you'll simply have 2 mild steel surfaces. With stainless, I'm not bothered what takes place between the bolt and plate as the bolt can always be replaced, but I wouldn't like to see car chassis corrosion under the stainless plate if they manage to make electrical contact, it's the microscopic galvanic cell formed between dissimilar metals that can be trouble. I've seen it many times in other contexts and it's dead easy to shove some fibre washers between, I added rustproofing wax as well for the hell of it 

[AisinW]

Mine is pure steel plate, not a stainless steel. The buyer explicitely told me.  It is a thick plate, it will last a very long time before has any perforations. Surface rust will appears once the wax coating wear out. 

[tapir]

There is a marine product available called Duralac Anti Corrosive Jointing Compound that could be used - I might just get some anyhow as the plate I have is stainless.

As I can't see how a fibre washer can help given there is a bolt through the middle of everything! Anyhow as mentioned, the corrosion if it happens will be far less hassle than a stolen cat.