Rattle 'down under' opinions please

[New Duke]

Something's broken underneath and would like some advice please.

It manifests as a rattle (like shaking a box of nails) coming from one of the drivers side wheel wells, I think from the front, when I drive over small hard bumps or cats eyes with the offside wheels. No rattle when I drive over cats eyes with the nearside wheels, just the offside. It's quite loud if you're outside the car but inaudible at slow/manoeuvring speeds.

Not noticed any loss of handling during local driving.

Inside with the windows closed it manifests as an intermittent tapping/knocking noise when driving about 30mph or above, that sounds like it's coming from the front wheel well or engine bay (somewhere behind and below the steering wheel or pedal box, it's hard to locate when driving).

My first thought was broken drop links. But gave all the front suspension components a quick wiggle and nothing shifted/looks OK.

Going to get the wheels off as soon as I get a chance, but don't get much time to work on the car. So would appreciate any thoughts on what to look for when I'm under there. Initially I'm thinking a broken spring (maybe at the top) or broken exhaust hanger?

I'm going to bigpete soon to get the new PZ suspension set fitted. But would like to identify what's damaged before going to him to avoid making two trips if we need a replacement part.

[New Duke]

It is so hard to identify where a noise is coming from ... could it be the heat shield on the exhaust, that has often been the source of mystery rattles in the past?

[New Duke]

Good call shaggy thanks. I'll put that on the list of things I look at. What made me suspect suspension or similar was that it only rattles on one side over bumps. But I guess (what's left of) the heat shield does run down that side. Mine was tatty the last time I looked at it.

Cheers.

[98of400]

I had something similar on another car. It was a loose brake pad clip, the small metal thing that the lug on the pad sits in and slides on. A small piece that holds it in place was missing which meant it rattled every time I went over a bump.

[casey]

Possibly the ARB end fixing loose? I had something similar and "nipping" the nut, in my case on passenger side, cured it. Took me ages to find the source of the issue. Local garage failed miserably too!

[kopite72]

Haydn probably a long shot here but I had a noise a while back coming from the left side of the car that I couldn't pin point for an age until one day I was cleaning the car and noticed the skirt had come away from the car and everytime I went over a bump it hit off the side of the car.

Double sided tape fixed it, worth having a butchers at the skirts methinks....

[New Duke]

Thanks for the thoughts everybody. Really appreciate them.

Shaggy was correct. The lower heat shield on the manifold has come loose and is flapping around. I've read that a few others have secured it with a large hose clip, so I'll look for one big enough and secure the next time I can get the car up.

Video below of some intense manifold flapping. It's barely SFW:

[pfletcher83]

I used a couple of These
Been on about 4 years now, still solid.

Paul

[warpc0il]

Well done Shaggy

[ChrisHolmes]

Shaggy literally cannot change a lightbulb, but his knowledge never ceases to amaze me.

[New Duke]

I used a couple of These
Been on about 4 years now, still solid.

Paul

Have never seen steel cable ties before. Thank you!

[ChrisHolmes]

I'm just glad it turned out to be something simple and inexpensive to fix.

Shaggy literally cannot change a lightbulb, but his knowledge never ceases to amaze me.

I'm a supervisor/management by nature, mine is all acquired knowledge gathered from watching and listening to people who can actually do stuff. The physical practicalities are always best left to those with better capabilities than mine.

[V8 Power]

Just be careful with those steel ties. Pliers or mole grips needed to pull tight, they can provide nasty cuts to fingers even through thick gloves.
Don’t ask how I know

[warpc0il]

They also cut through wiring looms, fuel pipes and even copper brakes, given enough vibration and time.

So, if you buy a pack, don't get carried away...


Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

[New Duke]

Sorted and rattle gone. A friend had a spare hose clip, so that was a free fix. Thanks guys. Have kept it well clear of the sensor at the top, mindful of Warpc0il's and V8's warning about cutting through stuff over time.