New V8V owner - metallic rear knocking noise question ...

[Andrew71]

Hello all - I'm a new V8V owner and loving every minute of it - great charismatic car and a fabulous ownership experience to date. Quick question: my Vantage has developed an annoying knocking/rattling sound which seems to come from underneath the small rear shelf behind the seats - i.e. where the battery and toolkit are. The noise is metallic - either metal on metal or something else knocking on the aluminium chassis. There is no noise when stationary and so I believe the noise is caused by the vibration of moving. The noise is not speed related - i.e. there is a general knocking/rattling at 20mph and the same noise at 70mph. It is also the same whether I am engaged in-gear or in neutral and coasting. The noise is louder when the small rear shelf is lifted - so this is obviously acting to deaden the sound. The noise is relatively loud and very obvious when the audio is turned off. I've had a look around quickly but can't see anything loose - perhaps a loose bolt or some other fitting? I've not yet removed the battery but this is the next step, I guess. I've searched the forums and can't find anything related to this issue. The car seems absolutely fine to drive and has just passed an MOT and Extended AM Warranty test, so I'm assuming the major suspension parts are all okay (I may, of course, be wrong). Does anyone have any ideas?

[simonpa]

Could be lots of things.
It may be easier to locate if someone is listening (maybe inside and out) while you are driving.

Whereabouts in the South are you?

[peterr96]

One suggestion.
Lift the carpetted panel that spans the width of the car (and covers the battery).
Check the aluminium extrusion which the panel slots under to the front edge. There are a number of screws that secure that. I had one of those left loose after a service visit which made a hell of a rattley racket.