Rattling Sound on Rough Road
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Rattling Sound on Rough Road
Need help identifying a rattling sound that seems to be coming from underneath the car. (I have a 2000 automatic btw)
When riding on slight to moderately rough road, I hear what I can best describe as a rattling sound. It sounds as if something is loose. It's only on the right side of the car, althought while I think it's coming from the rear, I'm not 100% certain of it.
This only happens when I'm going about 15-35 mph, regardless of whether I'm braking, and I don't think I've ever heard it while turning. When going over a rough patch on the left side of the car only though, I don't hear the rattle.
Ive searched previous threads on this forum before, and my initial findings sounded as if it could have been my sway-bar end links. I've since replaced all four of them, but that did nothing to stop the problem.
Bought this car used and probably should have the shocks replaced anyway, but I don't think they could be what I'm hearing either, since I think that would be more of a squeaking sound.
Been underneath the car to look for visible signs to no avail. Nothing looks loose, including exhaust pipes which feel secure.
Anybody have a better idea? Or at least what I should check next?
When riding on slight to moderately rough road, I hear what I can best describe as a rattling sound. It sounds as if something is loose. It's only on the right side of the car, althought while I think it's coming from the rear, I'm not 100% certain of it.
This only happens when I'm going about 15-35 mph, regardless of whether I'm braking, and I don't think I've ever heard it while turning. When going over a rough patch on the left side of the car only though, I don't hear the rattle.
Ive searched previous threads on this forum before, and my initial findings sounded as if it could have been my sway-bar end links. I've since replaced all four of them, but that did nothing to stop the problem.
Bought this car used and probably should have the shocks replaced anyway, but I don't think they could be what I'm hearing either, since I think that would be more of a squeaking sound.
Been underneath the car to look for visible signs to no avail. Nothing looks loose, including exhaust pipes which feel secure.
Anybody have a better idea? Or at least what I should check next?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Honestly, not sure. Whatever came standard with the car I'm assuming. Where should I look to find out?
And if the baffle broke loose, wouldn't that effect the sound of the exhaust? I haven't noticed any difference in exhaust noise since this rattling sound started.
And if the baffle broke loose, wouldn't that effect the sound of the exhaust? I haven't noticed any difference in exhaust noise since this rattling sound started.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
I'll keep that in mind, but those springs seem too far forward to be causing it. From the drivers seat, it sounds like the noise is coming from the right rear area of the car. Also feels like the rattle is up and down, not side to side.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 2
From: Columbia South Carolina
As stupid as this sounds, does your car key have a lot of other things dangling from the ring? The object could be banging on the steering or areas adjacent to the column. Other words the sound may be originating from with in.
If not then check all the exhaust hangers underneath the car. Get under it and attempt to rattle parts of the exhaust, also check the heat shields, one of them might be loose.
If not then check all the exhaust hangers underneath the car. Get under it and attempt to rattle parts of the exhaust, also check the heat shields, one of them might be loose.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 8
From: Dallas Tx
Sometimes I hear a rattle on bumps. On my car, it is the passenger seatbelt metal clip hitting the door. I just flip it over to point the other direction to get it to stop.
Probably not what is happening to you, but worth a check anyway.
Probably not what is happening to you, but worth a check anyway.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 2
From: Columbia South Carolina
Oops, forgot about that one, yep it also sounds like it is coming from under the car.....................
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
As stupid as this sounds, does your car key have a lot of other things dangling from the ring? The object could be banging on the steering or areas adjacent to the column. Other words the sound may be originating from with in.
If not then check all the exhaust hangers underneath the car. Get under it and attempt to rattle parts of the exhaust, also check the heat shields, one of them might be loose.
If not then check all the exhaust hangers underneath the car. Get under it and attempt to rattle parts of the exhaust, also check the heat shields, one of them might be loose.
Will check the heat shields, but just based on the fact that I can feel it as well as hear it makes me think this isn't the cause.
Could it possibly be a bad shock that's doing this? That's about the only thing that seems to fit the list of symptoms: coming from the right rear of the car, feels like it's rattling up-and-down, only over rough road or irregularities, can feel it as well as hear it, etc...
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 2
From: kent ct - "if i'm not in the vette, i damn well better be on the yacht."
St. Jude Donor '13
Try a rubber mallet. Smack the exhaust all along its length... sometimes tugging isn't enough, so bring in some "shock". That's how I found my exhust/hardware rattle. 
GL.
GL.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
I'll take a look at it again, but this noise I keep hearing seems too isolated for it to be part of the exhaust. Correct me if I'm wrong though.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 4
From: Tracy CA
Is there any play in the rear suspension? I had a tie rod end go south. You could feel it with the rear lifted off the ground. If the wheel has a little play side to side and not up and down - it's the tie rod. If there's play in all directions - it's the rear bearing.
That's the only thing I could think of that hasn't already been suggested.
That's the only thing I could think of that hasn't already been suggested.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Is there any play in the rear suspension? I had a tie rod end go south. You could feel it with the rear lifted off the ground. If the wheel has a little play side to side and not up and down - it's the tie rod. If there's play in all directions - it's the rear bearing.
That's the only thing I could think of that hasn't already been suggested.
That's the only thing I could think of that hasn't already been suggested.
Would I see visible signs of wear or it is more by feel? Also, would it be better to jack the car up and get the wheel off the ground or to raise it up on ramps?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 4
From: Tracy CA
It will feel like a click to a clunk depending on the play. I replaced the bearing - then discovered that it was the tie rod end. After you install a differnt tie rod end - you'll need an alignment.
The tie rod ends are availible from VBP (supporting vendor to the left) and I bought the Timken bearing at Autozone.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
So, I don't know to feel relieved or embarrassed that I finally found the source of the problem, but I feel everyone would probably be interested to know.
Long story short, the problem was in the front passenger side of the car, not the rear like I've thought all along. I went over a speed up one day, much slower than I normally do for whatever reason, and heard something funny going over it with the front of the car, but not that back.
So, I decided to take front passenger wheel off and see if I could find anything obvious. Well, after staring at the problem for around 2-3 minutes, I finally woke up and realized what was wrong.
My shock had come unbolted from the lower control arm. Don't know how the hell that happened (I guess just wear and tear over 138,000 miles), but that's what I've been hearing, thinking it was coming from the back.
Naturally, the bolts I need that are missing are hard to find. They're 8mm X 1.25mm X 55mm, and Home Depot and other stores around here only had 50mm or 60mm, so I had to special order them.
Thankfully, this turned out to be a lot cheaper fix than I expected. Just wished I would have found it before I replaced my sway-bar end-links.
Long story short, the problem was in the front passenger side of the car, not the rear like I've thought all along. I went over a speed up one day, much slower than I normally do for whatever reason, and heard something funny going over it with the front of the car, but not that back.
So, I decided to take front passenger wheel off and see if I could find anything obvious. Well, after staring at the problem for around 2-3 minutes, I finally woke up and realized what was wrong.
My shock had come unbolted from the lower control arm. Don't know how the hell that happened (I guess just wear and tear over 138,000 miles), but that's what I've been hearing, thinking it was coming from the back.
Naturally, the bolts I need that are missing are hard to find. They're 8mm X 1.25mm X 55mm, and Home Depot and other stores around here only had 50mm or 60mm, so I had to special order them.
Thankfully, this turned out to be a lot cheaper fix than I expected. Just wished I would have found it before I replaced my sway-bar end-links.
