Strange rattling noise from passenger side

[mustang_john]

My 98 E36 makes a rattling sound when driving over bumps in the road.
It passes the MOT each year without problem.

These are the things I know are not the cause, heat shields on exhaust, that CAT, the interior.

It is a metallic sound and seem to come from the front. The strange thing is I drove a 3 series compact the other day and it makes the same noise, but not as bad.

Anyone out there got a similar problem or any ideas?

John.

[jmo69]

If it's just a rattling and doesn't affect handling it's probably not suspension. How about the metal shields on the front brakes?

[mustang_john]

I have checked the splash shields, they are solid.

What ever it is, it is on the passenger, this being a right hand drive car.

It is very irritating when you have to windows open as you can hear the noise through the open window. When it's closed there is no noise.

Nice car by the way JMO.

[jmo69]

Thanks, it seems like there are more eurospec cars on this forum.

[warrior spirit]

Hi friends

i have the same sound on my E39 2003 , i'm going crazy i have no troubles with handling or anything , just this nois
i was under the car and everything was good,,,

if u found something just tell me

[mustang_john]

Originally Posted by jmo69

Thanks, it seems like there are more eurospec cars on this forum.

That might be something to do with the cars being made in Germany,

Only pulling your leg

[Nick_318is]

Sounds like a ball joint on the control arm. Could also be a blown shock. I would jack it up, take the wheel off and take a look.

Another thing could be the park brake shoes rattling.

[mustang_john]

Springs and shocks are new, less than 15k miles, have checked ball joints, they're fine.

I had wondered if it might be the pads shaking in the calliper as the suspension moves.

Oh bye the way, the springs and shocks SPAX PSX lowered with Krypton gas adjustable shocks all round.

[miro1969]

Have you checked steering rack? lift car up and find the shaft connecting steering box with steering rack and try to move it , see if it sits tight or loose, if loose try to move it and se if it will reproduce noise you hear.

[jmo69]

I had wondered if it might be the pads shaking in the calliper as the suspension moves

.
Anti rattle clips would prevent that, I lost a rear one and it was annoying but not that bad. Bought a new one and put it on wrong, now the left rear out board pad doesn't make full contact with the rotor. The clean part of the disc is about half as wide as it should be. No brake pull, just annoying to look at.

[rashid]

i would agree with miro, steering rack is possible reason ....

[mustang_john]

I get were you're coming from, and I will check this out.

What I can't work out is why the noise only comes from the left side of the car.

Just to remind the people who do not live the the UK, the car is right hand drive. So the input shaft to the steering column is also on the right.

Will post reply when I have checked it out.

Cheers,

John.

[Texbeamer]

i have the same noise on the drivers side.
i was thinking that my anti-rattle clip has lost it's grip but i don't know

[mustang_john]

Hi Guys,

Well I finally got to the bottom of the strange noise.

I managed to narrow it down to the rear by listening very carefully to the sound when hanging out the passenger side window.

Two things, 1 the anti rattle spring was missing from the calliper. How did I not spot that ? 2 the inboard brake pad has three metal springs that locate it into the piston. One had sheared off and the pad was loose.

In five years of owner ship, I have had no cause to change the rear brakes. Fitted new discs and pads. No more rattle, job done.

Thanks to all who took the time too try help me out.

Cheers guys !

John.

[witeshark]

Glad you got it sorted!