Harsh Buzz/Rattle Solved!
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio TX
Harsh Buzz/Rattle Solved!
Background: About 2.5 years ago, I bought an 07 Coupe with 4500 miles. The previous owner had installed a BB Bullet system with PRT center.
About a year ago, I started hearing a very harsh buzzing noise that sounded like it was coming from the lower part of the center tunnel, slightly toward the passenger side. The noise was usually loudest between 2500-3500 RPM, and was not dependent upon outside temperature, clutch position, gear selection, A/C or Heater settings, etc. At first it was relatively intermittent, but eventually became a constant plague. After several attempts at self-troubleshooting...
...the local exhaust shop discovered that the PRT center had been installed upside-down, which meant that the clearance between that PRT chamber and the heat shield on the underside of the car was too close. The PRT was vibrating against that heat shield, creating that terrible noise. There was even a slight wear spot in the heat shield. The exhaust shop re-installed the PRT correctly--now, the drone of the Bullets is challenged only by the sound of the radio.
About a year ago, I started hearing a very harsh buzzing noise that sounded like it was coming from the lower part of the center tunnel, slightly toward the passenger side. The noise was usually loudest between 2500-3500 RPM, and was not dependent upon outside temperature, clutch position, gear selection, A/C or Heater settings, etc. At first it was relatively intermittent, but eventually became a constant plague. After several attempts at self-troubleshooting...
...the local exhaust shop discovered that the PRT center had been installed upside-down, which meant that the clearance between that PRT chamber and the heat shield on the underside of the car was too close. The PRT was vibrating against that heat shield, creating that terrible noise. There was even a slight wear spot in the heat shield. The exhaust shop re-installed the PRT correctly--now, the drone of the Bullets is challenged only by the sound of the radio.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
Nice to have found a solution!
I had a similar thing when I installed my exhaust. One of the overaxle pipes was a little misaligned. When the car was taking a left turn, with the suspension twisted a certain way, the pipe would hit the side of the rear tub. Whenever I'd leave the house, one turn going down the hill would cause it to happen. But when I looked under the car, everything looked fine.
Enjoy your newly quiet (sort of) ride.
BTW - if you want to get rid of the drone, you can always dampen and insulate the rear hatch. Got rid of the drone I had with my SLP exhaust! Let me know if you want to take a listen - Kent's pretty close.
I had a similar thing when I installed my exhaust. One of the overaxle pipes was a little misaligned. When the car was taking a left turn, with the suspension twisted a certain way, the pipe would hit the side of the rear tub. Whenever I'd leave the house, one turn going down the hill would cause it to happen. But when I looked under the car, everything looked fine.
Enjoy your newly quiet (sort of) ride.
BTW - if you want to get rid of the drone, you can always dampen and insulate the rear hatch. Got rid of the drone I had with my SLP exhaust! Let me know if you want to take a listen - Kent's pretty close.
