rattle from underneath the car

[jas xjr]

i have a '99 xjr with a horrible rattle from underneath the car. notice when going over bumps in the road at low speed. the car was mot'd two weeks ago so its nothing thats dangerous or it was not spotted. it is driving me to distraction. any suggestions?

[Straight6DOHC]

If the V8 is anything like the XJR6, check the heatshield that covers the exhaust. It might be loose and you hear it at low speeds but might still make the sound at higher speeds (you just can't hear it). Could you be more specific about where exactly the sound is? Back/middle/front of the car?

[jas xjr]

front to middle i would say. i have been driving with the windows open to see if i can locate it. seems like will have to crawl underneath it at the weekend

[Scottman]

Loose exhaust bracket or maybe you have lost one of the exhaust rubbers? Sounds most likely.

I'd think it would be unlikely that it was a breakdown of the cats if it has just been MoT'd?

Scott

[jas xjr]

mot'd at a reputable garage , local family business , not known to me. chosen as they were the nearest. so glad its not the cats. will have a good close lok at the exhaust and heat shield. its really annoying as i drive around the town , the car is so quiet but i can hear this bloody rattle. i want to eliminate the rattle then look to releasing some v8 sound from the exhaust

[Cecil]

It might be worth checking for stones, I had some stuck in the back springs and the noise was terrible

[jas xjr]

Thanks will have a look at that too