Hi guys

Car is a Combo Van 53plate,

Over the past 6months the van has developed a loose sounding rattle from the 
front end,t hat could just about be felt through the steering under certain 
conditions. It sounded typically like a ball joint.

About 4 weeks ago when the MOT due MOT garage gave it a once over to find th 
cause of the rattling, they found a sloppy ball joint - replaced it and it 
duely passed the MOT.

So far so good, but the rattle is no better, last week when i returned from 
my hols i had it serviced and asked the mechanic to find the source of the 
rattle, he replaced two slightly worn - but sloppy track rod ends.

This time it is better and the rattle cannot be felt though the steering, 
but it is still present, the guy indicated that there is some slight wear to 
the stearing rack and that may be the source of the rattle/banging about. 
However im not sure about that, the wear didnt flag up in the MOT with an 
advisory which it has on previous high milage vehicles, so can't be that bad 
can it?

Also the knocking/rattle is present in equal amounts when i am either 
driving normally, braking, or turning, it is especially prevelent on 
cobbles, but will occur over any bump.


Any ideas on what it might be before i take it back?


tOm
www.locodocs.co.uk
www.tugtracker.co.uk

Tom Burton wrote:
> Hi guys
>
> Car is a Combo Van 53plate,
>
> Over the past 6months the van has developed a loose sounding rattle
> from the front end,t hat could just about be felt through the
> steering under certain conditions. It sounded typically like a ball
> joint.
> About 4 weeks ago when the MOT due MOT garage gave it a once over to
> find th cause of the rattling, they found a sloppy ball joint -
> replaced it and it duely passed the MOT.
>
> So far so good, but the rattle is no better, last week when i
> returned from my hols i had it serviced and asked the mechanic to
> find the source of the rattle, he replaced two slightly worn - but
> sloppy track rod ends.
> This time it is better and the rattle cannot be felt though the
> steering, but it is still present, the guy indicated that there is
> some slight wear to the stearing rack and that may be the source of
> the rattle/banging about. However im not sure about that, the wear
> didnt flag up in the MOT with an advisory which it has on previous
> high milage vehicles, so can't be that bad can it?
>
> Also the knocking/rattle is present in equal amounts when i am either
> driving normally, braking, or turning, it is especially prevelent on
> cobbles, but will occur over any bump.
>
>
> Any ideas on what it might be before i take it back?
>
>
> tOm
> www.locodocs.co.uk
> www.tugtracker.co.uk

Anti roll bar links

"Mrcheerful"  wrote in message 
news:f6ynk.40146$E41.17020@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> Tom Burton wrote:
>> Hi guys
>>
>> Car is a Combo Van 53plate,
>>
>> Over the past 6months the van has developed a loose sounding rattle
>> from the front end,t hat could just about be felt through the
>> steering under certain conditions. It sounded typically like a ball
>> joint.
>> About 4 weeks ago when the MOT due MOT garage gave it a once over to
>> find th cause of the rattling, they found a sloppy ball joint -
>> replaced it and it duely passed the MOT.
>>
>> So far so good, but the rattle is no better, last week when i
>> returned from my hols i had it serviced and asked the mechanic to
>> find the source of the rattle, he replaced two slightly worn - but
>> sloppy track rod ends.
>> This time it is better and the rattle cannot be felt though the
>> steering, but it is still present, the guy indicated that there is
>> some slight wear to the stearing rack and that may be the source of
>> the rattle/banging about. However im not sure about that, the wear
>> didnt flag up in the MOT with an advisory which it has on previous
>> high milage vehicles, so can't be that bad can it?
>>
>> Also the knocking/rattle is present in equal amounts when i am either
>> driving normally, braking, or turning, it is especially prevelent on
>> cobbles, but will occur over any bump.
>>
>>
>> Any ideas on what it might be before i take it back?
>>
>>
>> tOm
>> www.locodocs.co.uk
>> www.tugtracker.co.uk
>
> Anti roll bar links

or bushes.

"moray"  wrote in message 
news:g7mdc4$gts$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk...
>
> "Mrcheerful"  wrote in message 
> news:f6ynk.40146$E41.17020@text.news.virginmedia.com...
>> Tom Burton wrote:
>>> Hi guys
>>>
>>> Car is a Combo Van 53plate,
>>>
>>> Over the past 6months the van has developed a loose sounding rattle
>>> from the front end,t hat could just about be felt through the
>>> steering under certain conditions. It sounded typically like a ball
>>> joint.
>>> About 4 weeks ago when the MOT due MOT garage gave it a once over to
>>> find th cause of the rattling, they found a sloppy ball joint -
>>> replaced it and it duely passed the MOT.
>>>
>>> So far so good, but the rattle is no better, last week when i
>>> returned from my hols i had it serviced and asked the mechanic to
>>> find the source of the rattle, he replaced two slightly worn - but
>>> sloppy track rod ends.
>>> This time it is better and the rattle cannot be felt though the
>>> steering, but it is still present, the guy indicated that there is
>>> some slight wear to the stearing rack and that may be the source of
>>> the rattle/banging about. However im not sure about that, the wear
>>> didnt flag up in the MOT with an advisory which it has on previous
>>> high milage vehicles, so can't be that bad can it?
>>>
>>> Also the knocking/rattle is present in equal amounts when i am either
>>> driving normally, braking, or turning, it is especially prevelent on
>>> cobbles, but will occur over any bump.
>>>
>>>
>>> Any ideas on what it might be before i take it back?
>>>
>>>
>>> tOm
>>> www.locodocs.co.uk
>>> www.tugtracker.co.uk
>>
>> Anti roll bar links
>
> or bushes.
==================================================
Or a loose top shock mount which will only be noticed when you lift the 
front of the car. I had this problem after someone did some work to my 
suspension. :(

-- 
Les Ross
Certified                                               by a
Professional
>

>>>
>>> Anti roll bar links
>>
>> or bushes.


Are my gut feeling but im sure i asked himto check them..... Perhaps he 
noticed the worn track rod ends and stopped looking....


> ==================================================
> Or a loose top shock mount which will only be noticed when you lift the 
> front of the car. I had this problem after someone did some work to my 
> suspension. :(


Feels way too loose, feels almost like a clunking exhaust hitting something 
but isnt, like dick in a bucket loose but not all the time.


Cheers all!

tom

>>>
>>> Anti roll bar links

Replaced - both showing slight wear but nothing too bad.  - Rattle Persists!

>>
>> or bushes.

I haven't had a look myself but the mechanic says they all seem to be in 
reasonable condition and fit for purpose.

> ==================================================
> Or a loose top shock mount which will only be noticed when you lift the 
> front of the car. I had this problem after someone did some work to my 
> suspension. :(
>

I me not sure what you mean by this? do you mean the bolt (with a plastic 
cap) that pokes through into the engine bay? There seems to be some sort of 
rubber pad underneath the big flange at the top that cushions some movement.

Is there something up here that could be worn? I have to say that the noise 
/ gut insinct tells me that that bump/rattle is lower down though.

Any further suggestions, im going to borrow a ramp and have a look myself on 
thursday/friday.

It's just annoying me now!


Tom

> Or a loose top shock mount which will only be noticed when you lift the 
> front of the car. I had this problem after someone did some work to my 
> suspension. :(
>----------------------------------------------------------------------

I me not sure what you mean by this? do you mean the bolt (with a plastic
cap) that pokes through into the engine bay? There seems to be some sort of
rubber pad underneath the big flange at the top that cushions some movement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lift the bonnet and look at the top of the suspension mounting whilst 
lifting the car from the front wheel arch. That's where I was getting the 
rattle from.

-- 
Les Ross
Certified                                               by a
Professional