Should I change my catalytic converter for my 2002 jetta?

I have a 2002 vw jetta 2.0 automatic. It has 86,000 miles on it. My car has been making a strange sound. My friend says that its coming from catalytic converter. Also my car switches gears kind of rough would the catalytic be the problem of that too? So what do you guys think is it time for a new catalytic converter or not? Thanks.|||You shouldn't replace your converter unless it has gone completely bad. You will know this by hearing rattling from under your car, and a smell of rotten eggs whenever the engine is warm and running.





And no, the converter is in no way affiliated with the transmission. It is not causing your rough gear switching. That would require new transmission fluid.|||Go to the tail pipe and feel the exhaust.It should be good pressure-it should push your hand away-if not it may be time for a new unit-also are you smelling a rotten egg smell??a good indicator of a bad cat-if you hit the cat with your hand(COLD EXHAUST) does it rattle???Cat is broken up inside %26amp; needs a new one.Now--2nd part--Have you had a transmission service done lately???Transmission service cures most poor shifting in 90 out of 100 cars I work on-some need more help ,but try a service first-a good tranny guy can look at the contents in the pan %26amp; tell you whats going on.|||There is a chance that it is the catalytic converter but really can't say 100%. You should have a professional hook it up for a diagnostic first, because catalytic converters aren't cheap.|||The hard shifting is not the catalyic converter. A car can run without a catalytic converter but it's illegal in many states. The catalytic converter is to reduce emissions make it less toxic.