Longun Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) I've got a rattle that I thought was being caused by my broken downpipe. After swapping it turns out not. I got someone to drive so I could have a better listen and it appears to be coming from the near side rear. I've checked pulled, hit and shook everything in sight and the only thing that appears able to rattle is the below. Question is what is it and what does it do?!? Appears to do nothing to me. Help please I don't want to drive all the way to the new forest sounding like its falling appart. Edited March 3, 2012 by Longun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 According to real OEM that is a vibration absorber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longun Posted March 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Well it might be a rattle creator. Guessing I'll be fine to run without it to see if its the cause at least. Will report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Id try tighten it first. That said it might be supposed to have some play in it??? Have you checked rear springs too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longun Posted March 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Not sure if it tightens either but will take a look Yep gave them a bash with a rubber mallet and nothing. Rattle is on small quick bumps, not so audable on big bumps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john.med Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 I feel your pain. I was driving myself mad with a broken rear spring til I found the bugger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daviee Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 I know it's not much use before the meet tomorrow, but you could try mounting on of these on the underside of the car then going for a drive and see if anything obvious knocks or rattles . . . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lighter-Spy-Camera-Spy-Cam-Camcorder-USB-Mini-DVR-DV-/320855069708?pt=UK_CCTV&hash=item4ab473d40c Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Yeah ive got three so called vibration absorbers, other two are around 1kg each! Dont rule out shocks either. Or rear trailing arm bushes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longun Posted March 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) OK so its not the vibration thing as it still does it with it removed. Got the car booked in for 9am tomorrow morning. If they find it or assure me somethings majors not broken I'll still head down. Edited March 2, 2012 by Longun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 rear top mounts can cause rattles ,but are very hard to diagnose as faulty plus the upper wishbone mounts to the hub with a ball joint.they need minimal play to rattle big time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blair Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Petrol tank too can move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longun Posted March 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) Didn't check the tank. Still sounds just like a loose exhaust clamp but the BMW doesn't use them. Edited March 2, 2012 by Longun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Is is like a bump or an actual rattle? Loud or just annoying? And have you lowered it recently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longun Posted March 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) Its a metal rattle. As above its just like a loose exhaust clamp sound. I hit everything under the car and around the wheels with a mallet but can't generate the noise. Drive it and its immediate. Its loud and annoying Cars on standard sport springs. Edited March 2, 2012 by Longun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Have a look in your spare wheel well, might be something rattling round in there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxis740 Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 i had the same, turned out to be the brake caliper retaining springs! the ones that you can see through the wheel. easy to sort by taking them off and bending some tension back into them and refitting.....job done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longun Posted March 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Have a look in your spare wheel well, might be something rattling round in there? Nothing rattling in the car. The sound gets much quieter with the windows up. Plus I've had the rear seats down to aid hearing it. i had the same, turned out to be the brake caliper retaining springs! the ones that you can see through the wheel. easy to sort by taking them off and bending some tension back into them and refitting.....job done Now that has some legs. That'll be the first thing I check in the morning. Thanks for throwing ideas in all its much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Hope you find it! Good to have someone there next to you though, then they can listen as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebgreen Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 This would drive me mad. Keep us all posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longun Posted March 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 Got to the bottom of it today. Loose brake pad. Upon removal we found the clip that holds the inside pad into piston was broken off and allowing the pad to move around. Also found cracked pads on both sides. They only looked a few months old so must have been swapped quite recently. Looked cheap, no markings to help me find the manufacturer, which is annoying as I would have returned them. Fitted ferodo's and the rattle is cured Will be checking the fronts tomorrow, as I'm now questioning if cheap pads have been fitted all round. Thanks for all the advice and pointers. RG02GEE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebgreen Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 Good find. Glad it's sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blair Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 Glad you have fixed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john.med Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 Nice one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 Would be checking the discs for runout after that. Just to be safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longun Posted March 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 Is run out basically like a damaged dusk surface? I can't feel any vibration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...