Help with rear suspension rattle please

[SolidWater]

Sorry for the "omg rattle" post, but this one has me stumped.

Guys, I noticed a new rattle. Not sure how long it's been there. Only new thing done to the car was Costco tire plugged a nail in the driver rear tire.

Sound is only driver side REAR, only going over bumps - quick/sharp bumps (not like rolling over a speed bump). Think more like road divots, small pot holes, cracks, seams in parking garages (this is where I noticed it).

Sounds like metal on metal (almost like a shroud smacking a control arm). Can't figure it out.

Thoughts? I doubted it's the shock mount, as I don't ever hear it in the car. Only when window is down.

[ShocknAwe]

Sway bar end link if in the absence of any other problems

[dtla1]

Possibly a blown shock? Maybe from hitting a pothole or something? Look for fluid residue and or crud building up in the area.

[SolidWater]

Good thoughts I'll check that out. I doubt it's the shock. There's no change in how the car rides.

I don't see any fluids or residues. I did get to drive by a median so I could hear it better it sounds a little bit more plastic like...not even sure what's back there that could rattle like this. It's definitely not the exhaust and I don't think it's any of the exhaust mounts.

[ShocknAwe]

See if you can capture a video. I would also put the rear seats down and take the trunk liner out on that side and see for sure if it's the RSM

[Happy Jose]

Have you checked the torque on the wheel bolts? They've got to spot on!

[SolidWater]

Just torqued them down to spec. No luck. Drove to work with the seats down. Didn't hear a peep.

Going to go mount up a gopro to see if i can get it on video.

[iminhell1]

Swap centercaps around, front to back.

[SolidWater]

Here's the sound...

This is only on the driver side rear.

Sorry for wind noise, etc. It's the very clicky sound.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/354306603

[SolidWater]

Re-linked the video. I think it wasn't working before.

Any ideas?

[SamelCamel]

Hard to tell from the video, but they may have bent the brake dust shield when pulling the wheel off and putting it back on. The shield can get bent pretty easily. If it's bent where it's barely touching, then you'll get a rattle. Pull the wheel, bent the shield out a little and make sure there's a slight gap between it and the rest of the parts so it's not touching. Doesn't hurt to at least try that out.

-Sam

[SolidWater]

Checked the brake shroud and no dice. Doesn't seem to be that. Definitely more a rattle than a click/clank... any other ideas? Driving me nuts and I don't want to take it to the nearby dealers cuz they'll easily find things to replace/repair at my cost...

[MightyMouseTech]

I would check the lower bushings on the rear shocks next.

[Happy Jose]

Check the rear tires for balance or bad spots.

[dtla1]

Check to see if there are any items that might be rattling under the trunk carpet? Maybe the tech left a tool in there or something?

[SolidWater]

Solution? I think I found it.

So I took off the rear wheel. Nothing seemed loose. Checked all nuts/bolts for proper torque. Literally banged on everything with a rubber mallet.

...And heard the rattle. Pictured below. It's something on the brake pad apparently. Not sure if it's broken or what.

This:

View post on imgur.com

It's loose and rattling unlike the others. I presume it's part of the interior brake pad?

https://3a663eb0fef48c6d2d60-a88f8eb...2536_x800.webp

Doesn't seem to effect anything, other than the sound. I padded it with a piece of cardboard to check if it's the culprit and sure enough the sound went away.

Should I replace the rear brake pads or is it just a symptom of something loose? Couldn't tell if there's a loose bolt/tensioner back there...

[dtla1]

I believe that's just a weight to help with the harmonics of the pads I believe. You should be able to remove the pad from the top of the caliper and hit it with a punch to peen over the rivet a little tightening the weight.

[SolidWater]

Originally Posted by dtla1

I believe that's just a weight to help with the harmonics of the pads I believe. You should be able to remove the pad from the top of the caliper and hit it with a punch to peen over the rivet a little tightening the weight.

Oh, so I should be able to push on the blue rivet piece pictured here to limit it from shaking?

View post on imgur.com

[SolidWater]

Solution:

My rear pads are power stops. The above image shows what was rattling. Confirmed (and temporarily solved) by ziptying it against itself. I took it out and tried to figure out why it came loose but it's not evident (unless it's glued there). I didn't have anything appropriate to glue. So far the small zip tie is holding it in place until i replace pads.

[SamelCamel]

Originally Posted by SolidWater

Solution:

My rear pads are power stops. The above image shows what was rattling. Confirmed (and temporarily solved) by ziptying it against itself. I took it out and tried to figure out why it came loose but it's not evident (unless it's glued there). I didn't have anything appropriate to glue. So far the small zip tie is holding it in place until i replace pads.

Nice work! They also make metal zip ties in case you want that to be your temporary/permanent solution and you're concerned about heat and plastic zip ties.



-Sam