Hi guys,

I've developed a rattle which appears to be coming from the front of the car - I thought originally that it was the heat sheild in the rear that had worked loose so I replaced the push clips and it didn't make a difference.

The only other thing I did recently was replace the drop links which cured the classic knock from the old worn ones. It was absolutely noise-free. Flew MOT and then in a few days has developed this new rattle.

To describe it - it's a 'clanky' sort of noise - almost like some thing has worked loose and is hanging in space and clanging into something else metal? It occurs over any undulation or hump in the road - even if I move the steering wheel quickly left to right I can hear it clang. In fact - if I move the car with my hands with the bonnet open from side to side I can hear it!

I've had a good look underneath/engine bay and can't see anything obvious at all. It's booked in to the garage I had it off under warranty, but I want to try and figure it out as it sounds terrible.

Any thoughts at all guys?

Thanks in advance.

Si.

Any thoughts fellas??!!

Guess not then. :think:

Front wishbone rear bushes? Thats always the first thing I check when I hear a funny noise from the front end.

If you can get the car up in the air and replicate the noise, you stand a much better chance of finding the issue

I'll have another look then and get someone to move car. see what occurs!

Hi guys,

I've developed a rattle which appears to be coming from the front of the car - I thought originally that it was the heat sheild in the rear that had worked loose so I replaced the push clips and it didn't make a difference.

The only other thing I did recently was replace the drop links which cured the classic knock from the old worn ones. It was absolutely noise-free. Flew MOT and then in a few days has developed this new rattle.

To describe it - it's a 'clanky' sort of noise - almost like some thing has worked loose and is hanging in space and clanging into something else metal? It occurs over any undulation or hump in the road - even if I move the steering wheel quickly left to right I can hear it clang. In fact - if I move the car with my hands with the bonnet open from side to side I can hear it!

I've had a good look underneath/engine bay and can't see anything obvious at all. It's booked in to the garage I had it off under warranty, but I want to try and figure it out as it sounds terrible.

Any thoughts at all guys?

Thanks in advance.

Si.

I posted this on some one else's thread about annoying noises from the front of the car, hopefully it might help you too fella.

Just a thought, I had a knock/chatter/clattering noise from my Fabia almost drove me mad as there seemed to be no rhyme or reason to it. Turned out to be the little black pads at the bonnet hinges, twist and removed, noise gone. I never even thought of them, one of the other members on here happened to mention it in casual conversation and it worked.

I had replaced front ARB bushes, drop links on both sides, had the rear consol bushes checked, front top shock mounts and bearings checked, the bonnet lock was also checked and I was starting to look at the rear gearbox mount when I had a chance conversation which proved to be the correct solution.

I can only say try it, I honest to God never thought that these little pads could make such a racket, and what a relief when it was solved.

Best of luck mate, I hope you find it soon as it all to easily spoils your enjoyment of the car.

Regards, Jimbo.

Good news is that I had it back from the garage and they have sorted the rattle. They said it was the engine mount that had worked loose?

4 days later and the freaking noise is back as of this morning! I can see the obvious engine mount next to the water reservoir, but is there another mount on the other side of the engine lower down?

Cheers Jimbo, by the way!

Have you looked at the plastic shield over the drive shaft at the rear of the gearbox on the driver's side? It's a curved piece of plastic mounted onto the back of the box by 17mm bolts. It can appear OK but is actually loose which shows up on bumps or just when reversing. The noise can be transmitted down the drive shaft so it appears to be coming from the side of the car. To be honest, I'm not clear what it does; looks as if to stop stuff being thrown on exhaust, but undershield keeps gater clean and it would be unusual to use plastic as a heat shield.