Rattly rear end

[rover3l]

I have been moaning around these forums for ages worrying about my rear end rattle on moderately bumpy roads. Today in desperation I persuaded a friend to lie in the trunk while I drove on a route I know to produce the noise. We are going out again tomorrow with me in the trunk but the preliminary assessment is that there is a rattle coming from somewhere either below the parcel shelf or behind close to the fuel tank. I am concerned it could be the shock mounts as these are in the vicinity.

Any thoughts or experiences with anything similar?

[rsiwicki]

that is too damn funny and one very trusting friend of yours to ride in the trunk. I have no idea what it sounds like....but do you think that something came loose inside the fuel tank area and is not bouncing around over bumps?

[rover3l]

We also thought it was funny and were trying to think of a good story if a cop pulled me over and asked to look in the trunk!!

[PalmerWMD]

Lol @ rover.

Also,Have you checked the rear subframe assembly?

Fred..

[rover3l]

I have tried as best I can to check the sub frame and all seems tight. If our trunk escapades today don't reveal anything I will take it into the shop this week

[louiegz]

It just might be the age of the car. I'm sure your 65 Rover creeks a bit. My Q has a few. Too funny your buddy riding in the trunk.

[rover3l]

ok just got back after 6 runs down this particular stretch of road. It is hilly and has some long stretches of broken pavement. My friend (well at least he was!!) again rode in the trunk and this time I gave him a flashlight and we stripped out all the interior trim, spare wheel etc to eliminate all of these things. He could hear the noise but not locate it in the trunk itself. It must therefore be coming from underneath.

I doubt if I can persuade him to be duct taped to the underside of the car but it's a thought!!

I have removed the plastic cover protecting the active main pump etc and it was not this. I have tried a pry bar in all sorts of locations of the exhaust system, subframe but everything seems tight. Also I remove the cover in the left hand rear wheel well and checked more of the active plumbing - all tight.

I am running out of ideas. Yes my Rover creeks a bit but this is more of a loud rattle

[DAEDALUS]

My friend...again rode in the trunk and this time I gave him a flashlight

This didn't seem necessary the first time?

[Rex]

... I doubt if I can persuade him to be duct taped to the underside of the car but it's a thought!! ...

Someone was awarded (posthemously of course) a Darwin Award for this back in the 90's, but it was a truck so there was more ground clearance.

Can you get it to make the sound by running through the active diagnosis?

[rover3l]

He told me he used to eat his carrots so we didn't think it was necessary

[rover3l]

the active diagnosis, can this be done without a consult?. I do have a cd version of the manual so I will go and check. The strange thing is when i get the noise (rattle or light banging) it does not feel like a suspension issue. It is more as if the continuous movement of the car over a long stretch of broken road excites some component to move and make the noise.

I should mention the noise was there from day one even before I replaced the 4 strut accumulators. Since then I have now replaced upper links, tension rods, and front and rear sway bar bushings. I am going to do the front and rear active main accumulators but I would hate to find that after all this I have something almost fatal cost wise such as the subframe.

The duct tape idea is very tempting and my friend is very thin

This week I am getting 4 new tires fitted from Tire Rack so the import garage I am having them drop shipped to my be able to help me with a diagnosis.

[rover3l]

by the way if anyone is wondering why I didn't go in the trunk, I am 6'4" and 230lbs. I did try much to my neighbors amusement but couldn't fit!

[texasoil]

Have you carefully examined all the exhaust system mounts and hangers, including the engine and transmission mounts? The clearance is easy to lose if a single hanger or mount is damaged, or the exhaust plumbing has been 'disassembled'Also carefully examine the differential mounts if the noise seems to be 'centered.'

[Jeff Williams]

I ahve aclunky rattle, in my Q45t. I replaced the struts, and boots. The mounts looked fine, and are tight. The clunking sounds like it is the trunk hinges, or something up high. Maybe I can get my wife to ride in the trunk. That is a great idea.

I found my friend's clunking on his J30. It was the lower rear links. My links seen fine.

If yo ufind it, let us know.