Rattling sound under car

[norwegianvette]

Hi folks.

Have a rattling sound which can be related to the suspension as it occurs when driving uneaven surfaces. Cant find anything loose and bushings look fine:eyerole

Thanks

 

[92BlackVette]

How many miles are on the shocks?

 

[Florida Guy]

Rev the engine while parked. If you hear a rattle then it could be the catalytic converter innards.

 

[norwegianvette]

Car with shocks are 50K and with Bilstein original

 

[norwegianvette]

Rattle

Rev the engine while parked. If you hear a rattle then it could be the catalytic converter innards.

Nothing from the cat

 

[92BlackVette]

Try having your passenger get out of the car while you are in a parking lot, or somewhere safe that has speed bumps, drive over it slow enough to hear where the sound is coming from......

 

[norwegianvette]

Try having your passenger get out of the car while you are in a parking lot, or somewhere safe that has speed bumps, drive over it slow enough to hear where the sound is coming from......

Tried that, sounds like it coming from all four corners and that it is some kind of related to the brakes ;help
Know that the ABS can rattle but this is a bit loud i think.

 

[TWISTERUP]

Tried that, sounds like it coming from all four corners and that it is some kind of related to the brakes ;help
Know that the ABS can rattle but this is a bit loud i think.

I had a noise in mine which I would describe as more of a knocking over bumps and uneven surfaces (I could tell my noise was from the front end however) turned out the bolts which attach the sway bar link rod at the lower control arm were loose.

I'll also say this... I would think that if it is brake pad/caliper related and you drove the car on a rough surface...a light application of the brakes while the noise was occuring should make the noise stop or at least change somewhat

BTW the link rod bolts did not "appear" loose....but i put a wrench on the bolt and nut and got about 1/2 a turn...that was enough though... the noise has been gone now for about 1 year.

 

[PAULIE B]

WHATS UP GUYS? I HAD A SIMILAR NOISE ON MY 87. I COULD NOT STAND THE SOUND AND THE RIDE. I CHANGED THE BRAKES AND SHOCKS THE NOISE WAS GONE AND THE RIDE IS FANTASTIC!! GOOD LUCK!! BTW THE SHOCKS WERE ORIGINAL AND HAD 49K MLIES ON THEM-IT MIGHT BE TIME TO CHANGE THEM ANY WAY.

 

[G Winter]

Very worn struts will rattle. I don't know if shocks will do the same. If worn to the point of rattling handling should be really bad.
Try moving the shocks from side to side there should be no movement.

Glenn

 

[nelson84]

It could be the heat shields on your cat.

 

[Uptown193]

Yea I have an 1987 Vette and I have some rattling sound coming from underneath also, I have no idea what it is. I even went under he car and check for a loose connection and did not find anything. It is like a mystery now. The only thing I can think of is its coming fom the cat. But when I got my new Corsa installed I checked it out and I didnt hear any loose connection. Maybe there might something in the actual Cat thats loose, who knows at this point, i kinda gave up.

 

[Robertwav1]

It could be the heat shields on your cat.

This was my case, the heat shields. If I remember correctly the welds broke loose causing an annoying rattle. Drilled where I could and used steel rivets. Aluminum didn't hold up...steel is still there.

 

[Uptown193]

Mine are intact.

 

[norwegianvette]

Heat shields sounds likely. Cant get properly under the car but go to a garage on tuesday for MOT and will check at the same time.

 

[norwegianvette]

Rattling sound all 4 corners

Update.

I gone through the car and the cats are not rattling so that is closed. All rubber and bushings looks good and sway bars are sound. Shocks are leaking and might be a part of the problem (Bilstein shocks, only 50K on them). Have new ones in the garage and plan to change them during the winter months together with pads etc.
My brakes make a rattling noise and i think my problem is a combination of brake and shocks noise.

Steve

 

[Florida Guy]

Steve,
FYI: The Factory Service Manual for my 96 says that an oil film on the shock absorber body or piston rod is normal. Any dripping oil is unacceptable.

 

[bucket]

take off the roof panel...lol
it worked for me

 

[John Robinson]

Look at this

On my 93 I discovered that the muffler hangers on the back of the mufflers were worn to the point that the muffler was able to bounce up and down in them. I removed the bracket and put a 3/16 plastic shim between the bracket and the rubber bushing. Before I tightened it back up I used some grease to lubricate the hole in the bushing so the metal L hanger could move back and forth. When I tightened it back up and drove the car it was much quieter. Occasionally on very rough roads I get a noise under the car now that after reading this thread may be the heat shields but the muffler fix has totally transformed how much smother the car seems on the road.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

The bolt threads on the sway bar end links will wear against the end link causing an elongated hole and a noticeable "clunk" but, I would think it a bit unusual for all of them to go at once . . . might be worth checking. Can you get it to make that noise by standing on the door sill and rocking the car?