Very Annoying Rattle

Sala

Something is rattling somewhere in my car near the drivers seat. It appears to be infront of me or to the right. I don't think it is linked to brakes, accelerator etc as it is not just occuring when I press a peddle. I thought it was something loose as it seemed to rattle only when moving and on rougher ground but the other day I had a long drive and noticed it was intermittant. Can anyone give m any beginner tips on what to look for? I will bring it to a mechanic, but I just don't wnat to go before checking if there are any obvious things I should look for?

sogood

There are an awful lot of wires/connectors/relays etc. behind the dash, especially in the area of the steering column and beneath it, usually behind a panel just above the pedals. These are usually clipped in place, especially the sometimes large connectors. This would be a first place to look see if anything is flopping around or loose. Check that the steering column shroud is good and secure, usually just held in place with two screws from beneath, in the lower half of the shroud. You may have to turn the steering wheel to gain access. What about wiper/indicator controls within the shroud? Check also likewise, the kick panel to the right of the pedals. Is there a speaker mounted in it that may have worked loose? Is it secure itself? Just a process of elimination but as good a place as any to start.

Stheno

I was driven demented with a rattle in my car this morning, and guess what it was? A cup in my handbag rattling off my glasses case!

Have a good check that nothing has fallen down/been hidden under/between the seats, in any of the pockets, the dash etc.

crosstownk

I'd a head wrecker of a rattle a couple of weeks ago. It turned out it was my keys - bloody SuperValu tag thing was the culprit.

martyc5674

It's annoying you and it's annoying some poor kid that lost it.

You'll know when you find it cos it will look like this.

http://www.naturalnursery.co.uk/user/products/wooden-baby-rattle-shake.jpg

colm_mcm

funny you should say that ^


We had a lady who bought an Avensis Verso, she came in after a few weeks going mad about taking legal action, calling joe duffy etc, it was a disgrace that a new car would already develop a problem. There was a "really annoying rattle" coming from the back of the car.

Upon investivation, it turned out to be a rattle alright, a rattle her child had wedged between the seat and the floor.

She was suitably morto

Wheelnut

Sala wrote: »

Something is rattling ... It appears to be infront of me or to the right.

Is it a sharp, cracking type of rattle? It could be a worn pin in the door hinge.

The test may cause some tut-tutting here but here goes anyway. If you hear the rattle while driving, open the door very slightly and see if the rattle stops. Please observe all the usual precautions to preserve me from the wrath of the PC brigade.

Alun

I had a really annoying one for a couple of weeks .. I thought it was coming from the back of the car, my wife in the passenger seat was convinced it was coming from the dashboard, and anyone in the back was convinced it was coming from the glove compartment.

In the end it was the drivers side sun-visor that was just a bit loose in the clip that holds it!! Pushed it in properly, and the rattle was gone.

Moral of the story? Rattles rarely actually come from the places they sound as if they're coming from!

biko

Without driving the car it's almost impossible to know.
You didn't mention the model which make it more difficult to guess.

So, go over every inch inside the car, boot and engine bay.
If anything looks loose give it a tug and see if it makes a sound.
Tighten/duct tape/WD40.

Sala

Thanks for the replies. I had a decent sized crack in my windscreen which was replaced just after I posted this and the rattle seems to have gone. It didn't start when the crack appeared, rather a good while after, but it has not come back at all since the windscreen was replaced. I wouldn't have thought a windscreen would rattle! Maybe it was part of the stuff that sticks the windscreen in place, or maybe it'll come back soon and I'll be back to post again!

Del2005

Sala wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I had a decent sized crack in my windscreen which was replaced just after I posted this and the rattle seems to have gone. It didn't start when the crack appeared, rather a good while after, but it has not come back at all since the windscreen was replaced. I wouldn't have thought a windscreen would rattle! Maybe it was part of the stuff that sticks the windscreen in place, or maybe it'll come back soon and I'll be back to post again!

It may have been that the thing which was rattling was disturbed when replacing the window .

I had a rattle in my car and it was driving me mad. Could never find it till, one day I was giving a mate a lift and the rattle came back. They found it in seconds, bloody badge for work hanging off the rear view mirror.

I've heard loads of stories about rattles in cars. Best is someone who came in with a rattle. Mechanic drove the car and removed something from the rear view mirror, rattle gone. A few days later owner returns saying rattle wasn't fixed, they'd hung the what the mechanic taken off back up. Others are kids sticking things where they shouldn't be and roof rails/boxes.

Never try and find a rattle while driving always have someone else look for it.

CJhaughey

I have heard the insurance and tax discs rattling in their little plastic stick-on wallet on the windscreen.
Strange but true.

martyc5674

CJhaughey wrote: »

I have heard the insurance and tax discs rattling in their little plastic stick-on wallet on the windscreen.
Strange but true.

That's your hard earned rattling away in the tax mans poca!!