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Author Topic: Under Chassis Rattle  (Read 7340 times)

Offline rdfcpete

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Under Chassis Rattle
« on: May 27, 2012, 11:08:38 pm »
Developed an underbody clanging sort of rattle from the bottom of the car. It's certainly a sound that something is loose or flailing, also sounds like something is making contact with a metal material. Closest description I can relate it to is a bit like the a paint rattle can when you shake it, that kind of light contact sound but a metal surface making contact with another solid.

It's very loud and only occurs when the suspension is working over an uneven section of road, pothole or when taking a speed bump quite firmly or faster than usual.

I've looked under the car with my maglight before it was dusk and absolutely nothing looks out of place or is hanging down, at least that's obvious. I don't look under there often in truth  :grin:

First suspicion was an under-tray but none of these are loose after I gave them a knock. I wondered if there was a dropped screw or bit of metal on the front undertray near the splitter (from working in the engine bay), but the sound wasn't similar when I hit the tray in different areas with the torch  :ashamed:

The cars sat on AP 20mm lowering springs and has been for 20 months or so. I've never had any clearance or ground issues on the roads I typically use, mainly because it's simply not low enough to encourage that.

Any ideas or where I should start next?

Thanks.
Pete


RNS-E LED 2012 | Aux-In | AP Coilovers |  Hawk HPS Pads | Revo Stage 1+
Previous: OEM+ 2006 MK5 Golf GTI 2.0T FSI Steel Grey 3 Door

Offline ashley

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Re: Under Chassis Rattle
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2012, 11:14:47 pm »
Classic loose bolts on the engine support.

Very common issue. There are improved bolts available.

Offline rdfcpete

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Re: Under Chassis Rattle
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2012, 11:19:08 pm »
Sounds likely mate - where are these, any pictoral guidance please?  :happy2:

I've been here for a short while now and never really noticed these on the forum as a known fault  :sad1:
Pete


RNS-E LED 2012 | Aux-In | AP Coilovers |  Hawk HPS Pads | Revo Stage 1+
Previous: OEM+ 2006 MK5 Golf GTI 2.0T FSI Steel Grey 3 Door

Offline vRS Carl

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Re: Under Chassis Rattle
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2012, 12:03:06 am »
Have you checked you havent got any stones on the axle anywhere? I had something sounding similar to this on my last car and it drove me nuts for months as I checked, rechecked and checked again all the bolts etc and couldn't find anything wrong.

Then in the process of doing something else I found the offending stone. I removed it and the sound stopped.

Might be worth checking.  :happy2:

Offline rich83

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Re: Under Chassis Rattle
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2012, 12:25:38 am »
Front suspension or rear?

Offline rdfcpete

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Re: Under Chassis Rattle
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2012, 06:05:17 pm »
Have you checked you havent got any stones on the axle anywhere? I had something sounding similar to this on my last car and it drove me nuts for months as I checked, rechecked and checked again all the bolts etc and couldn't find anything wrong.

Then in the process of doing something else I found the offending stone. I removed it and the sound stopped.

Might be worth checking.  :happy2:

Now you say that Carl it certainly could well be a stone - I park on gravel everyday at work too!  :happy2:
Where should I start, take each wheel off and wrap my hand around the suspension and wheel joint areas?

Front suspension or rear?

I'm guessing Rich but if I had to choose, I'd say it's from the front half of the car(?).
It sounded horrendous. I need a Milltek now so I know people are looking because of the 4pot burble, not a clang  :sad1:

 :grin:
Pete


RNS-E LED 2012 | Aux-In | AP Coilovers |  Hawk HPS Pads | Revo Stage 1+
Previous: OEM+ 2006 MK5 Golf GTI 2.0T FSI Steel Grey 3 Door

Offline vRS Carl

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Re: Under Chassis Rattle
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2012, 06:19:46 pm »
Gravel was what did it with me.

Yes just pop the wheel off where you think it's coming from first and then work round the car.

Offline rdfcpete

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Re: Under Chassis Rattle
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2012, 04:27:24 pm »
Carl - you were spot on  :happy2:

It turned out to be a stone in the drivers side front something somewhere - it made one hell of a clang and dropped out when leaving work middle of the week and fell by the road side. Noise stopped immediately  :happy2:

Going to avoid the gravel now  :fighting:

Thanks chief.
Pete


RNS-E LED 2012 | Aux-In | AP Coilovers |  Hawk HPS Pads | Revo Stage 1+
Previous: OEM+ 2006 MK5 Golf GTI 2.0T FSI Steel Grey 3 Door

Offline vRS Carl

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Re: Under Chassis Rattle
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2012, 05:42:41 pm »
No problem mate, glad it's sorted.  :happy2:

No doubt if you had taken it to a stealer you'd have needed a whole new subframe.  :grin: