Help with finding a rattle

[RichV6]

Here's hopeing for a few suggestions. Over the last couple of years the Cerb's had an annoying rattle, and after chasing everyting I can think of its still there and worse than ever!

It seems to come from the rear nearside seat area when the road surface is uneven. The car is poly bushed and fitted with all new bolts, have checked for oversized holes(?) and have stripped and regreased the suspension twice now, the ARB links are new also. New diff mounts, and exhaust mounts and have swapped the Gaz Gold shocks side to side, also had recent wheel bearings. Looked behind the seats and in the boot. Hell I've even refixed any of the electrical boxes the boards have come loose in. Last straw was yesterday when I fastened the positive lead that runs through the sill to just about everything I could. Still there, so did the only thing that I had'nt done. Put the car back in the garage and walked to the pub.

Specialist has checked out the rear suspension and given it a clean bill of health. Off to Spa next week and this is going to drive me daft, suggestions as to something else to look for would be appreciated.

[Storer]

Of little help to the OP but I have a rattle which I think is the Cat baffles. Rev related but also annoying. I will be taking a hammer to the one I think it is to "tighten" it up inside!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FUBAR]

Are you absolutely sure it's not the exhaust touching the chassis somewhere? Every rattle I've had (from the rear) has turned out to be the exhaust shifting slightly and touching.

[RichV6]

Will try and get it hot and look underneath, certain its not the exhaust but will look again.

[Gazzab]

Is there any room under the seat squab for stuff to be trapped between it and the underbody of the car eg bolts?

[billy no brakes]

RichV6 said:

Here's hopeing for a few suggestions. Over the last couple of years the Cerb's had an annoying rattle, and after chasing everyting I can think of its still there and worse than ever!

It seems to come from the rear nearside seat area when the road surface is uneven. The car is poly bushed and fitted with all new bolts, have checked for oversized holes(?) and have stripped and regreased the suspension twice now, the ARB links are new also. New diff mounts, and exhaust mounts and have swapped the Gaz Gold shocks side to side, also had recent wheel bearings. Looked behind the seats and in the boot. Hell I've even refixed any of the electrical boxes the boards have come loose in. Last straw was yesterday when I fastened the positive lead that runs through the sill to just about everything I could. Still there, so did the only thing that I had'nt done. Put the car back in the garage and walked to the pub.

Specialist has checked out the rear suspension and given it a clean bill of health. Off to Spa next week and this is going to drive me daft, suggestions as to something else to look for would be appreciated.

Have tried the old one where the pads rattle around in the caliper, might worth a look

Gary

[shoggyraminator]

Storer said:

Of little help to the OP but I have a rattle which I think is the Cat baffles. Rev related but also annoying. I will be taking a hammer to the one I think it is to "tighten" it up inside!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rear box on my Shoggy had the same issue. Sharp drill through the SS outer and a long SS self tapper into the box front and back and no baffel rattles for over a year now.

[Mad Mark]

Try tilting the seat right back and sliding it to a different position. This might help eliminate the seat. Is It a Tuscan style seat? It might be the side arms if it is they often break.

[RichV6]

Found an M8 nut behind the seat back, thought I'd cracked it. Still there. Beggining to wonder if theres something in front of the petrol tank or heaven forbid in it.

[Gazzab]

tinitus?
have you tried travelling in the boot or in the rear whilst someone else drives?

[Mad Mark]

If you think it could be in front of the Petrol tank then get under the car with a torch there is a hole in the floor either side of the tank. you might be able to see something through there!!
Stuff can get down there so its worth a look although I think it unlikely to be the cause!!

[al 350i]

turn the stereo up!

[RichV6]

Thanks to everyone, still not found it but all I can say is its
in the rear seat parcel shelf area. After being driven around by the other half, me curled up in the back with my head in between the seats after removing the helmet holder is not something I could recomend. As for a trip in the boot!!
At normal cerb speeds you can't hear it, going slow will have to involve low gears or the stereo. Oh and its only when moving, two people bouncing the car on the drive achieves nothing.

Thanks again

Rich

[Gray_101]

Have you sliconed the rear brake pads to the pistons in the calipers?

Rattleing rear pads were the source of my problem, i put up with it for 2 years, now ive cured it, its totally transformed the driving experiance

[Mad Mark]

"After being driven around by the other half, me curled up in the back with my head in between the seats after removing the helmet holder is not something I could recomend."
Whilst wearing your seat belt of course!! pmsl

what about the anti roll bar or the drop links? have you checked them?

[FarmyardPants]

Something to do with the rear seat belts? Removing helmet holder gives access. Good luck.

[Storer]

My problem was the joiner between the two pipes on my exhaust on the section back from the cats. It had broken and was causing a rattle at certain revs. Bent them away from the pipe so they can't touch. When I next have the exhaust off I will remove them completely as the last exhaust did the same.