i know this is a generic question... but what are some possibilites for front end rattle. it feels like it is bottoming out when we hit a bump.

and what can we do to diagnosis where the rattle is coming from.


we replaced the shocks, shock saddle, spring perch, upper a-arm and lower a-arm

we went through today and tightened all the power steering, the wander went away but the rattle is still there.

 

Anything with a bolt in it, unfortunately. look at anything that moves with the suspension. there are different kinds of rattling, you need to be more presise.

Why is bottoming out equated with rattling?

 

hey what ahppened to my sig again.....

YEAH i knew it was a generic question. when driving it appears the rattling is on both sides, i thought it might be the shock towers but they look good and every so often on a bump it appears to bottom out which had me thinking shocks again.


what are ways to diagnose the rattling?? we try pushing up down on the car but that doesnt help.

 

tighten up all the suspension components...struts, tie rods, control arms, everything. use an impact gun, full blast, 100 psi or more.

 

also when the front wheels are off the ground, shake the wheels up down back and forth. if there's play, might need to change ball joints, tie-rods, or wheel bearings, or all.

 

There are different rattling sounds. Does the rattle come as a result of the wheels moving up or down? or with the body moving? is it located in the front end or engine trans? slow speed or high speed? can a bike ride with you at slow speed and detect a location? is there some kind of debris in your sheet metal? have you touched any thing lately before it started rattling?

 

This could be anything from a battery tray, to loose bumper or fender, loose exhaust hanger. I always lean towards the stationary items. Walk around the car with a rubber mallet. Smack you tires and listen. Everytime I hear a rattle, it's usually the rocks in my head