A Rear Rattle that'll drive you mad.

[Faheem]

I've swapped out both the rear shock mounts about 9 months ago - I've also replaced all the anti roll bar links - front and back on the zed and there was an issue with the springs on the brakes having corroded - so I've had both of them replaced.

Got this nasty little rattle and I can't figure out where it's coming from. The fuel tank was a little loose so I went under the car and secured it with a few pieces of rubber and it's nice and snug now.

You only here the rattle at low speed - 0-20mph - and with the roof down you won't even hear it.

Here's a little audio recording I did earlier - and I'd really appreciate any feedback at all as I'm sure someone will have experienced a similar noise in the past before.

https://soundcloud.com/z3lad/bmw-z3-rear-rattle

@t-tony have a listen to that

Cheers!

 

[t-tony]

I've swapped out both the rear shock mounts about 9 months ago - I've also replaced all the anti roll bar links - front and back on the zed and there was an issue with the springs on the brakes having corroded - so I've had both of them replaced.

Got this nasty little rattle and I can't figure out where it's coming from. The fuel tank was a little loose so I went under the car and secured it with a few pieces of rubber and it's nice and snug now.

You only here the rattle at low speed - 0-20mph - and with the roof down you won't even hear it.

Here's a little audio recording I did earlier - and I'd really appreciate any feedback at all as I'm sure someone will have experienced a similar noise in the past before.

https://soundcloud.com/z3lad/bmw-z3-rear-rattle

@t-tony have a listen to that

Cheers!

That doesn't sound like what I thought might be the carbon filter in my Z3 Faheem. It sounds like something small vibrating rather fast against trim or bodywork. Have you tried recording inside the boot to see if it makes any difference?

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

Hmmm just listened to your recording Faheem,it is one of those irritating noises.
when I first got my zed there was an annoying rattle,turned out to be the hand brake cables under the car.
Still have a rattle but only when the roof is up and I can't find the cause of it so I feel your pain ......but it isn't as annoying as yours .

Steve

 

[t-tony]

With the hand brake cable rattle you should be able to stop it by pulling the handbrake on a couple of "clicks" just to tension the cables. Worth a try if you haven't already done so.

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

With the hand brake cable rattle you should be able to stop it by pulling the handbrake on a couple of "clicks" just to tension the cables. Worth a try if you haven't already done so.

Tony.

Thanks Mr. T. That was sorted a long time back mate .

Steve

 

[Faheem]

@Bozzy @t-tony I've tried pulling the handbrake up a couple of clicks and driving - the noise does not go away.

I'm going to try put the phone in the boot and see whether the clarity of the rattle increases at all.

As I can't hear it with the roof down I'm thinking the noise has got to be coming from within the cabin - I'm going to pull the carpet out (the one under the plastic window) tomorrow and see if there's any tools or screws that have been left there when I changed the shock mounts - I just hate removing the carpet because I tore it very slightly last time whilst removing the clips that hold it in place. Is there a trim removal piece I should be using or should I just go at it with a plier?

 

[Bozzy]

@Bozzy @t-tony I've tried pulling the handbrake up a couple of clicks and driving - the noise does not go away.

I'm going to try put the phone in the boot and see whether the clarity of the rattle increases at all.

As I can't hear it with the roof down I'm thinking the noise has got to be coming from within the cabin - I'm going to pull the carpet out (the one under the plastic window) tomorrow and see if there's any tools or screws that have been left there when I changed the shock mounts - I just hate removing the carpet because I tore it very slightly last time whilst removing the clips that hold it in place. Is there a trim removal piece I should be using or should I just go at it with a plier?

You can buy trim removal tools on eBay Faheem. Something I keep meaning to buy.

Steve

 

[Antm72]

Its not one of the rear corner weights is it behind the rear bumper ?

 

[Faheem]

Its not one of the rear corner weights is it behind the rear bumper ?

What's a rear corner weight?

It sounds like it's coming from the rear of the car - drivers side rear and it's been happening for about 4-5 months with absolutely no increase/decrease in noise levels. It just came out of nowhere and has been there since.

@Bozzy Too expensive!

 

[t-tony]

Does your car having the fuel cover lock as part of the central locking Faheem, mine did and the cable to that can rattle between the wheel arch liner and the inner body work.

Tony

 

[t-tony]

Thanks Mr. T. That was sorted a long time back mate .

Steve

That was for Faheem's benefit mate.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

Does your car having the fuel cover lock as part of the central locking Faheem, mine did and the cable to that can rattle between the wheel arch liner and the inner body work.

Tony

Nope, my zeds too old for that.

 

[Antm72]

The rear of the car is corner weighted with some metal weights behind the bumper

It could be one of these ?

 

[Faheem]

@Antm72

I didn't know that, I'll have a look tomorrow - does that mean I'll have to remove the back bumper or can I access it without doing that?

Cheers, Faheem

 

[Antm72]

I would imagine you may have to remove it

 

[Faheem]

@Antm72 Okay Cheers! I hate removing things like bumpers or any other body panel for that matter as the alignment on re-installation always takes the p***!

 

[Antm72]

The rear bumper can only fit one way i think so less hassle to get back on and aligned

 

[Low Rider]

I'm going to say a lose bolt under the rear glove box.
Where abouts was your mobile while you were recording.
Try doing the same but in different points to get a feelse for where the noise is coming from.
Just thought spare wheel rack not tighten up enough

 

[Dino D]

You can get your hand up and shkae the weight around, it's not easy and you may skin your arm (a bit) but a quick way to check if it's the weights or not.

 

[Faheem]

The rear bumper can only fit one way i think so less hassle to get back on and aligned

You can get your hand up and shkae the weight around, it's not easy and you may skin your arm (a bit) but a quick way to check if it's the weights or not.

Cheers for the help guys. I'll try and shake the weights without removing the bumper tomorrow morn - and if they appear to be loose and rattling then I'll remove the bumper and get rid of the weights for good.
----

I'm going to say a lose bolt under the rear glove box.
Where abouts was your mobile while you were recording.
Try doing the same but in different points to get a feelse for where the noise is coming from.
Just thought spare wheel rack not tighten up enough

Phone was under the rear window - so exactly where the rear top mounts are. I hope I don't have to remove the rear storage cabin - done that before on my other zed and I hated the job. I'm going to put my phone in the boot as Tony has suggested and see if that makes a difference.

I did think it was the spare wheel that was causing the noise at one point so I took the spare wheel out, washed the wheel - even wire brushed bits of the wheel to remove some surface rust and only when it was immaculate did I put it back in my zed.