My missus's Nissan Micra has started making a noise which is best described as a rattling similar to some nails in a can. This noise only appears between the speeds of 65 and 70mph. I was thinking perhaps the balancing is way way out??? Anyone got any ideas????

Is it under load?

As in lots of folk or stuff in it??? If that's the case no.

If the wheels were out of balance you'd feel a vibration through the steering wheel......

under load = accelerator down...perhaps?

Well if it's accelerator down no as it does it when you come off the gas too. Again just between 65 and 70????

Exhaust maybe?

Took it out myself, and came up with some interesting sounds.

1st At around 35 to 40 there is a low squeal (kinda like the one fanbelts make)

2nd At around 40ish it makes the mettalic rattle

3rd 60 the rattle is more apparent

4th 65-69 the rattle is loud and constant

Then 70mph+(yes Micras can do it lol it shocked me!!) nothing. There is no vibrations in the steering wheel so it cant be a balancing issue. wondering if the bearing in one of the wheels is on it's way???

With regards the exhaust it seems fine. Got me stumped (then again I aint no mechanic )

I know it's chilly out there at the moment, drive with both windows open and see if you can determine which side of the car it's coming from. I take it there isn't a rev counter on the car to see if it's related to the engine speed in different gears. Depending on how many miles the car has done, check the suspension joints and driveshaft cv joints, inner and outer.

Does it happen more when accelerating, braking or cruising?

Does it happen more on smooth roads or bumpy ones?

Does it happen when going round corners or a straight line?

There's so many things it could be it's difficult to tell over the internet without more information. We can give you ideas though.

It happens on any road.

It happens when accelerating and deccelerating (it only happens at certain speeds)

The suspension is fine (it's been looked at), and there are no noises coming from it when driving over bumpy roads.

The cars done 55K.

This has stumped me but cheers for all the ideas guys!

Keep 'em coming

Cheers

Outcome of this bizarreness there was something dodgy on the exhaust! It was a simple fix and it is ok now.

Cheers for the ideas guys.