HELP!! Mystery rattle after suspension install.

IndigoXb · Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 125

Well i was really excited to finally get my suspension installed, H-tech's with echo monroe shocks on my 05 box. Well after lowering the car I started to get some sort of rattle. I don't think that it is the suspension as it is only rattling when I first start the car and is usually rattling around 1600-1800rpm. I just replaced my exhaust clamp, the rear oddly shaped one, but still think that it might have something to do with the exhuast!? BTW I'm running DC headers and Perrin axle-back. Does anyone have any clearence issues that caused rattles on there box? Thanks for your help. :bow:

evosky · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 2010

where exactly do you think the rattle is coming from on the car? is it from the front? the back? does it occur when you go over bumps or is it pretty much all the time?

you might have to tighten the top nut under the dust cover hat ... if the sound is coming from the front.

IndigoXb · Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 125

The sound is definately coming from the back of the car. Its just too low for me to get under there with out jacking it up, and then once its jacked up it doesn't rattle.. only when I'm flat on the ground and only when starting up the car or going from a stop.

evosky · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 2010

maybe one of the shock nuts wasn't tightened enough? or you didnt set one of the springs correctly or in the right orientation?

IndigoXb · Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 125

okay so i checked the springs, dust covers, shocks, the rear clamp was a little loose but I'm still getting the rattle, could it be the tow hook on the exhaust side?

prescottn · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 193

based on the RPM range you stated you're getting the rattle at it's most likely your exhaust. If you can grab your muffler by the tip (do this when when it's cold please) and wiggle your muffler back and forth with more than a half inch of play... you most likely need to get under there and tighten her up. If your doughnut gasket connecting the axel back to the stock piping is tight get some thick industrial zip ties and re-enforce the rubber hangers with them. Make sure you position the muffler correctly if you use the zip ties or else you'll melt the bejesus out of your stock bumper. Hope this helps.

PS if it's something in your suspension that's loose enough to make this rattle you would be hearing popping / shifting noises when coming to a stop and start.

Crank · Posted: 10/16/08 2:09PM Post subject:

probably the exhaust is rattling against the control arms

1epoXyBox · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 576 Location: L.A.,CA

prescottn wrote: based on the RPM range you stated you're getting the rattle at it's most likely your exhaust. If you can grab your muffler by the tip (do this when when it's cold please) and wiggle your muffler back and forth with more than a half inch of play... you most likely need to get under there and tighten her up. If your doughnut gasket connecting the axel back to the stock piping is tight get some thick industrial zip ties and re-enforce the rubber hangers with them. Make sure you position the muffler correctly if you use the zip ties or else you'll melt the bejesus out of your stock bumper. Hope this helps.

PS if it's something in your suspension that's loose enough to make this rattle you would be hearing popping / shifting noises when coming to a stop and start.

This is a good suggestion. I was getting a rattle when starting to take off. It turned out that the axelback came loose where it meets the exhaust piping (doughnut gasket?). Tightened it up and was good to go. Good luck.

TheWonderWagon · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Houston, TX

Is this just the clamp yall are tightening? I have the Strup V1 axle back and I have had the saem mysterious sound for about 6 months now.

IndigoXb · Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 125

WonderWagon It turned out to be two things. Firstly, the exhaust fit was terrible it sounds and performs great, but with the after market rear valance I have the bumper was melting and moving the whole rear bumper. The mystery rattle is the gasket in the joint of the axle back and piping, Some how the axle backs are pulling the gaskets apart and into the stock piping. I'm on my third gasket lol.

TheWonderWagon · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Houston, TX

Good information, going to have to check the gasket out this weekend. I had the same problem with the fit, but through trial and error I eventually twisted the exhaust into place and welded a small piece of stock from the exhaust to the body of the car to hold it in place. I did this about 2 years ago and it has not moved since then. I'll try to take pics and post them if I get a chance.

greybox · Joined: 17 Jun 2007 Posts: 679 Location: lake oswego

My rattle is the very front corner of the muffler hitting the spring. See if it gets worse when your car is sitting with the right rear lower than the rest of the car-like at a slightly uphill stoplight or something when you're in the right lane.

When I put my header on it got more frequent, the header changed the front of the exhaust position slightly so it can and does move around more at the rear.

I made this bolt with a spring thing mounted from my tow hook to help just hold it a little farther away from the springs and it helps, then one day I had enough so I drove it home and while it was still hot, put a broom handle againt that corner through my wheel and banged it with a hammer a few times. It dented just enough that it rattles far less.-sometime enough is enough......