It's destroying my life.

M

miln0039

Member
 Southampton
My E86 3.0si has developed a rattle / knock. Coming from what sounds like below the footwell / near bulkhead / firewall. Doing my head in and it's only been there 5 days!!

Only happens at low speed (sub 30), appears to be on poor surfaces or if on any sort of slope (e.g. Multi-storey car park ramps). It goes away at higher speeds.

Any ideas what it might be? I'd prefer to give mechanic an idea of where to start looking rather than open ended purchase order!!!

For info - car is 2007, 63k miles, running on Eibach springs with Vredestein tyres.
 
Could be worth looking at the two strut braces under the bonnet one or both may have worked loose or even broke off from the strut mounts, hope you get it sorted.
 
You sure it's not in the cabin? Trim? Check where the knee cushion is.

The trim going from the centre console to under the dash/footwell can rattle.

I lined the back with Velcro
 
I've had a good rummage in the footwell and it didn't look like the trim to me. A proper check in the light will be done tomorrow!!

I will check strut brace too.

Ball joints - how would I check these?
 
Strut braces feel solid....how annoying!! I was hoping it would be them as sounded like an easy fix!!!
 
I had a few clunks and rattles when I got my car in March. Sounded awful.

Thanks to the hints and tips here I tightened up the strut braces, strut top mounts and the front end noises went. They all seemed ok but did torque up quite a bit more.

I had the same at the back and tightened every suspension bolt I could see.

Car is now suspension creak free. Brilliant forum. :)
 
Sounds like I need to get a bit more involved!!!

I need to change rear discs soon so when I have the car up to do that I will have a proper go if doing struts and top mounts is not successful.

Is there any particular torque setting I should be going for (as with wheels?) or are we just talking as tight as possible?

Thank you all for comments so far - it is much appreciated!!
 
I know exactly what you mean about it doing your head in OP. I've had an intermittent vibration in the car for the last two years now and its still not sorted. Going into an indy on Friday to see if they can help me track it down further...
 
Right - now convinced it's the struts as the noise is more of a creak (I've had second opinion too!)

So, just to check before I over-tighten something and break it.

41Nm for the bolts on top of the struts? (And at both ends, so top mount end and firewall end?)

Would it be the same torque rating for the three nuts on top of the mounts too?

This forum is top dollar so so often - thank you all!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom