Rattle when traveling over bumpy roads

[schultz]

I've had this rattle for some time now.It happens when driving along bumpy sections of road. Sounds like someone rattling a pebble in an empty tin. It comes from the offside outer, low down, towards the front I think, but not certain.
I replaced the front offside anti roll bar link, which had completely destroyed the rubber bush, thinking this might be the problem. It had only been fitted in September. On removing the old link I saw that the hole in the bottom wishbone was elongated and not round, (should it be like this?) Anyway , I fitted the new link, went for a drive, and the rattle was still there , as before. Any suggestions as to cause please, and what to do about the wishbone slot if it is not meant to be like that? I've read the relevant download re link replacement but felt that if I put two washers on the down shaft of the link, there wouldn't be enough thread length left for the nut.
John

 

[jims-terrano]

Yeah common problem with the wishbone hole, fitted two of the old washers when I did mine. Are you sure about the location? I had a similar rattle that turned out to be an exhaust bracket towards the front of the exhaust. Tightened it up but it came undone again so I fitted two nuts instead of one. It's been ok since then.

Jim T

 

[schultz]

Thanks for that Jim. I'm not sure where it's coming from. I've tried leaning out of the window to pinpoint it when moving, but no luck. Have to get back under and start shaking things.
John

 

[jims-terrano]

Get underneath at the passenger side and follow exhaust down from the engine. The bracket I was talking about is a exhaust U clamp going through a bracket and it's the U clamp part that I fitted the extra nut's.

Jim T

 

[schultz]

I'll have a look at that clamp, but I'm beginning to think it is the front off side brake caliper rattling. I had my daughter ride on the side steps while going down a farm track, ( they have their uses sometimes). She pinpionted the noise as coming from behind the centre of the front wheel. I then drove along applying light pressure to the brake pedal with my left foot and the rattle stopped.
Needless to say I carried out a full Health and Safety risk assessment before undertaking the above. I came to the conclusion that there was no danger to myself and it was safe to proceed.
John

As an added bonus my exhaust back box has now started blowing, which tends to drown out the rattle. Every cloud has a silver lining.