Catloc? are they worth it?

[KellyK]

I have recently had my catalytic converter stolen from my 18 plate Auris.

I was wondering if anyone has invested in a Catloc? 

If so has your catalytic converted been stolen since you've had the loc fitted?

 

Thanks

Kelly 

[FROSTYBALLS]

Moved to the Auris club.

Is your Auris really a 2020 model?

Also see:

 

[Bob110023]

Hi Kelly. 

I have been waiting 4 months for my catloc to be fitted at my local dealership. I think they are worth having as I spoke to my insurance company and they advised that having a catloc  fitted indicates that you as the owner has taken steps to try and protect the part from being stolen. 

[Gerg]

2 hours ago, KellyK said:

I have recently had my catalytic converter stolen

Hi Kelly,

Sorry to hear of your theft.

In the interests of getting a greater understanding of where these thefts happen, would you be so good as to describe where and how yours was stolen, and at what time?

Thanks.

[TonyHSD]

Cat lock and anything that can deter the thieves is a good decision however if your car been checked by thieves and there is plenty of time, car parked in quite area for example nothing will stop them. The cat lock actually will prevent access to the bolts that holds the cat connected to the exhaust manifold plus the pipe to where exactly they cut it, if they cut behind the centre silencer they won’t be able to remove the cat even they find another way to undo the bolts. So first thing is to remove the cat lock, this will double or triple the time they need and may well put them off., hopefully walk away without braking (vandalising) the car. I installed two of those cat locks, they seem well made, fit perfectly and I also secure them with lock bolts. Cutting through the metal plate will produce a lot of noise and will take time equivalent of cutting 3-4 cat pipes. The Cat bolts with springs they usually undo them, it is so easy.  This is the one you need for your car from that seller, and remember auris gen 1 is same as Prius gen 3 but Auris Gen 2 is different, important when order. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283702663688
Here are the bolts that I used: 26002SU Wheel Lock Bolts SU M12 x 1,25, flat seat, shaft length 34,5 mm, Overall length 63,0 mm, Hex size 17mm, Key diameter 25,8 mm https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0048EJNNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_ihVmEb0FJ2X85 

 This picture is comparison between the sizes of original heat shielding and the cat lock that goes onto its place and protects the catalytic converter. 

[Sampleman]

Could you please explain the whole thing to me? I have never heard about a cat stolen in Germany from just any car. This whole discussion gives me the impression that getting your cat stolen from your Toyota Hybrid car is a common problem in the UK.

What are the thieves doing with all the cats? Why are only Toyotas affected?

Thank you for clarification.


Best regards from Bavaria
Frank

[FROSTYBALLS]

Thieves are stealing the cats for the precious metals - palladium, etc. It seems gangs are exporting quantities of stolen cats. It isn't just Toyotas which are affected - Hondas, Audi's and vehicles with high ground clearance (SUV's, vans, etc) are as well. Ireland, Canada, USA, etc have the same issues.

Vehicles are jacked up, and the cats cut away using cordless cutting tools, etc.

See also 

 

[Gerg]

Hi Frank,

Sadly, these videos show an all-too-common occurrence in the UK.

It's happening all over the country, in car parks, on people's drives.  One woman in Northampton disturbed the cat thieves in a car park, she knew the car had been interfered with and so drove straight to the nearest Toyota dealer for advice.  Whilst she was inside asking for help, the thieves (who had followed her) finished stealing the catalyst whilst it was there.

Welcome to the Wild West...

What are house prices like in Bavaria?

:-)

 

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/watch-thieves-take-just-60-3649889

 

[mrpj]

13 hours ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

Vehicles are jacked up, and the cats cut away using cordless cutting tools, etc.

And I'm sure,using the same methods, it will be almost as easy without this expensive sheet of steel. Yes, it will delay things a bit but most these lowlifes are fairly proficient at what they do.

[TonyHSD]

It is a well organised crime. Why so popular at the moment, simply because thieves are stimulated by rough traders who pay them a good money for cats, than they extract the precious metals and sell them for a good profit. Use to be a mine industry before, but why would you digging Underground when you can simply cutting overground. Demand and supply and the chain reaction is closed and active. Nobody has ever been punished for that grey business and so will continue and spread around whole Europe. Why Toyota hybrids, well people said the cat content higher amount of those metals plus it is ultra easy to remove, thieves get double pay on easy job. Will the cat lock stop them, probably not, but likely to deter them , because will slow them down. They use Battery operated tools, reciprocal saw and impact drivers to undo the bolts. Thieves will not risk it to spent a lot of time around the car because they have usually full car of already stolen cats and if caught by police they will loose the lot, so if they can’t cut and take it quickly they may not bother, also they don’t know who the car belongs to. Toyotas cat lock may cost £250, my one total cost of £60 , at least I know I did something. Latest videos shows, thieves first check the car under and if all clear then proceed with jacking up and cutting the bit. Some owners has taken extra precautions, they had wire wrapped the whole exhaust system, trust me they will not bother with it. 

[Sampleman]

5 hours ago, Gerg said:

Hi Frank,

Sadly, these videos show an all-too-common occurrence in the UK.

Welcome to the Wild West...

What are house prices like in Bavaria?

Ohmygod! This looks weird!  

House prices in Bavaria depend on where in Bavaria you want to live. In Munich expect to pay at least one million Euro, and the sky is the limit. In Franconia (250 km northeast of Munich) prices start at 40,000 Euro;-)

Best greetings and have a nice weekend.

[TonyHSD]

Any country is pretty and nice places to live are the one away from the big cities, rat race, cat race, wow no need of that. London and the rest of the eu capitals ok but if live James Bond’s life style , otherwise how can you protect your poor Toyota hybrid. 

[Beekeeper D]

On 1/31/2020 at 1:02 PM, TonyHSD said:

... Some owners has taken extra precautions, they had wire wrapped the whole exhaust system, trust me they will not bother with it. 

Could you explain this security method to the unenlightened (ok, me) please?

[Gerg]

1 hour ago, Beekeeper D said:

Could you explain this security method to the unenlightened (ok, me) please?

I think that this american article might tell you what you need to know:-

http://www.gearist.com/2019/02/27/cat-clamp-review-honda-catalytic-converter-theft/

[TonyHSD]

That’s right, something similar or something like that here: 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264471137972

Regards 

[Beekeeper D]

23 hours ago, Gerg said:

I think that this american article might tell you what you need to know:-

http://www.gearist.com/2019/02/27/cat-clamp-review-honda-catalytic-converter-theft/

 

12 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

That’s right, something similar or something like that here: 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264471137972

Regards 

Thanks guys. As long as the cable IS the right stuff, that sort of thing looks more of a deterrent (and cheaper) than Toyota’s plate, which we have been told can still be cut off, albeit slowing the job down.
The worry then becomes how much damage the frustrated scrotes might do before (and after) giving up.

[Catlover]

Looking at cat lock devices myself, this looks interesting

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CATALYTIC-CONVERTER-GUARD-CLAMP-CAT-LOCK-TOYOTA-PRIUS-PRIUS-HONDA-LEXUS-RX400H/264564924596

£170 fitted and £25 extra for the mesh grille.  Anyone seen one, the fitting is in Harrow, its a fair journey for me, from Chester, but may be worth it.

 

[TonyHSD]

I don’t know that one, to me looks like proper protection but not properly done. Once you have that mess under the car, and if you ever need to visit a garage for some repairs, especially Toyota ones, they may well refuse to carry any work on it, or charge extra , a lot extra. My personal opinion is bolt on, and if security bolts fitted with tool that any mechanic is familiar and can take it off and on in no time. Just my thoughts. 
May well look at those once too for both your cars. 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283661401217

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283655149593

 

[Gerg]

What about fitting catalyst-to-engine manifold bolts that had been modified so that the bolts could not come off?

I can think of several ways of doing this, but, if fitted, what would an thief do next if his 14mm socket was rendered useless?

[Bob110023]

Only specific registered people should be allowed to recycle cats at specialist centres which carry a certificate. I worked with industrial batteries for many years and this was the only way to stop any tom dick or harry from scrapping batteries anywhere they liked.

Also Toyota should work on a tilt alarm that can be fitted to the existing alarm system so when a car is jacked up the alarm will sound. There are already tilts available perhaps one of these would suffice. 

Having my catloc fitted on Friday this week after waiting  5 months.

[TonyHSD]

Yes , that is the main problem., everyone everywhere can sell catalytic converters for recycling. Those things are obviously an important part of a car and there are not laying around just like empty beer cans so everyone can collect and sell for recycling materials. Here is the problem with hybrids too. The recyclers are stimulating the thieves pushing them to get catalytic converters from Toyota hybrids as they pay them more. Thieves are potentially any men, organised or not, single working too. It is a madness, if the authorities get involved the cat thefts can be history in no time! 

[TonyHSD]

19 hours ago, Gerg said:

What about fitting catalyst-to-engine manifold bolts that had been modified so that the bolts could not come off?

I can think of several ways of doing this, but, if fitted, what would an thief do next if his 14mm socket was rendered useless?

This is very good point, actually best protection along with cat plates. Custom made catalytic to manifold security bolts, cat plate with security bolts and no need anything else, ropes and wires. 👍

[Gerg]

Exactly, your photo was presumably taken with the main plastic under tray removed, which in itself would be harder if the car was jacked up from the side, instead of how you have the car raised here.  I don't know why, but I don't think I could take a similar picture on a Mk2 Auris, something might be in the way, hindering access.

The thief is presumably using a drill driver with an integral LED light to look up the exhaust tunnel and attach the socket and extension to the bolt head.  What if there was no familiar 14mm bolt to be seen?  What would happen next?

 

[flash22]

i suggested security bolts some time back, shear bolts/nuts may be an option or even triple square or security torx (centre pin)

even drilling the bold heads a lock wiring them would be an option

Edit. Just had a really simple idea, just put a big gob of weld on the head of the bolt(s) (on the side face)

 

[TonyHSD]

3 hours ago, Gerg said:

Exactly, your photo was presumably taken with the main plastic under tray removed, which in itself would be harder if the car was jacked up from the side, instead of how you have the car raised here.  I don't know why, but I don't think I could take a similar picture on a Mk2 Auris, something might be in the way, hindering access.

The thief is presumably using a drill driver with an integral LED light to look up the exhaust tunnel and attach the socket and extension to the bolt head.  What if there was no familiar 14mm bolt to be seen?  What would happen next?

Exactly, they can actually nick the whole cat from there, but it will take more time. I hope they don’t read this forum 🤫😉😂