A replacement support bracket and hanger for a relatively expensive component of a motor vehicle exhaust system, such as the catalytic converter, and a method of salvaging such catalytic converter through the use of said replacement bracket. The original support bracket has an aperture through which is passed the catalytic converter exhaust opening flared collar normally clamped onto the end of an exhaust gas evacuating pipe having an end rim provided with a complementary flare. The replacement support bracket has a generally U-shaped cut-out portion. After removal of the original support bracket commonly welded to the housing and to the peripheral surface of the catalytic converter collar, the replacement bracket is clamped in position with its cut-out portion disposed behind the flared neck simultaneously with the pipe end being coupled to the converter flared collar by the same, or similar, clamping bolts and nuts originally used for only clamping the pipe end to the converter collar.