yep its possible to remove cat without removing the front of car, remove the front metal slam panel with all the catches and head lights attached to to as such, you will need a 1/4 drive long reach socket set with some extension bars also a set of torx females use these to remove the studs that bolt in to the head its a tight job i do it all the time and it works, the heat shields remove the 02 sensor and they should come out from under car, these have 10mm bolts on them disconnect the battery you must do this as when removing the shields you will for sure get caught on alternator line nut cable and sparks and fire will follows else,,
as for why changing it after you have sorted the chain and oil burning etc the engine will take a few good runs hot to cold and some cataclean might help you might get the cat to work again with a good thrashing for miles might come good again some do some dont,
as for why changing it after you have sorted the chain and oil burning etc the engine will take a few good runs hot to cold and some cataclean might help you might get the cat to work again with a good thrashing for miles might come good again some do some dont,
