This sound is driving me crazy...Any Ideas? (audio inside)

[mateen110]

I've been noticing a strange sound when going over bumps or holes in the road. The noise is coming from the driver's side tire area and sounds like a a loose ball or something moving around. Here's the strange part -- the sound is especially more prominent and noticeable when (or after) it rains. The sound does happen without rain, but only over speed bumps and larger bumps, but when it rains, and small bump in the road causes the noise.

Ive posted an audio clip below. So far I've checked the jack below the seat (because thats exactly what is sounds like) but that was perfectly fine. I also looked at the spare tire holder to see if that was moving around but it wasn't.

The fact the noise is worse when it rains just confuses me even more. I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder for reference.



Sound: https://soundcloud.com/mateen110/rattle ... er/s-IksI6

[rgk]

Is it coming from the front or rear?

Front could be: sway bar links, sway bar bushings, ball joints.

Rear could be: shocks, muffler, door seal.

[mateen110]

Is it coming from the front or rear?

Front could be: sway bar links, sway bar bushings, ball joints.

Rear could be: shocks, muffler, door seal.

Oops! I forgot to specify, but the noise it is coming from the rear driver's side

[4xq]

Sounds like you will have to crawl under the truck and check for anything loose. The emergency brake cable runs downs the drivers side - maybe one of the brackets has broken?

[rgk]

For me this was a loose shock absorber. The first time the shock was worn out and had to be replaced. The second time the nut had loosened itself.

Wiggle your shock by hand - if it makes a metallic clanking sound where it attaches to the bracket, you've found your problem.