Hello, I was wondering if anyone can assist me with a metal type of noise I've been hearing animating from under the chassis towards the rear of the car.

My car is a Ford AUII built June 2000.

I've already had my car taken to City Suspension and then to Fulcrum Suspension to check my car for the problem I've been experiencing.

Both of these specialists could not find anything that could be the culprit. I doubt if they have done a proper check as it seems to become louder / noisier every day.

The noise is definitely coming from underneath, from the rear, mainly heard on rough roads as well as long stretches on the Gatton-Clifton Roads heading from Ma-Ma Creek towards East Greenmount.

Each time the rear wheels hit a rough patch, definitely some sough of metal tin or something rattles from underneath. I pushed the rear section up and down a few times on the tow bar and no noise is generated.

I've replaced the entire live axle assembly 1 year ago, I've also changed the dust shield plate (thought the noise was coming from that)..., replaced the entire exhaust system , still have the same type of noise.

I'm just about at my witts end.

Anyone have any idea where this noise might be coming from or what could be causing the metal rattling noise? It still rattles even if I apply brakes on a rough road....no where near as bad on a smooth road , hardly noticeable.

I drive on a few rough roads and would like to get to the bottom of this (no pun intended)

Cheers, bondy

How old are the shocks?

@ 67RCE

The shocks are about 12 to 15 months old. I have not jacked the rear as yet. I could not hear any noise when bouncing the car just using my hands.

I'll jack the car up, place axle stands and remove the wheels. I can take the shock off , but how would I know or test it to see if its stuffed ?

Compress the shock and see how long it takes to reach full extension again. You won't be able to move the car fast enough to make noises in all cases.

im thinking the rear brake pads are rattling in the calipers??

@ 67RCE,

Just about to take rear drivers side shocky off and try what was suggested.

@ TROYMAN,

I thought it might have been that too but rattle noise is still there when brakes have been applied going down hill and on level rough bitumen roads, just as bad on loose gravel rocks. Hardly a noise on smooth bitumen.

Weird one, got me stumped, brake pads seem to be not the cause .

I checked under the vehicle, and noticed a crack in a piece of metal. The crack is near the spot weld.

I have no idea what that piece of metal serves, it's slightly curved shape, and is situated between the spare wheel well and the fuel tank. This may or may not be the culprit. I did tap the metal with my hand and it did make the same if not similar noise to what I've been hearing.

Sounds like a weld job.

Took the shocky off , compressed it, it took 22 to 23 seconds to fully decompress. It's a Gabriel shocky.

I could not find any noise, with the shocky, seems a bit slow rising that's about it.

Here's a pic of the metal in question.

 

 

Attachments:

crack in metal deflector (Copy).JPG [ 238.9 KiB | Viewed 268 times ]

Just the other day, I took a mates AUII ute for a drive, and I was thinking how noisy it was back there......I'm sure I could hear the plastic tub jumping around, and slapping the frame work under it.

@ cjh,

My plastic tub is fully secured, no chance of it jumping around, I even hit it with an 8lb hammer to see if there was any movement. Solid as a rock so to speak.

Anyone in 100 klm radius of Brisbane area know how to weld?

I took the vehicle for a test drive since removing and replacing same shock absorber and straighten cracked metal...not much metal noise is heard, still few creaks are heard towards back wheel.

Everything is tight, no other signs of metal fatigue / hairline cracks noticeable.

Cheers

I thought I solved that noise problem, its back and sounds like metal clanging on metal, definitely something to do with rear wheels / suspension.

When I placed the old shock back in, noise seem to have become very quite to hardly any, now its back and sounds just as bad if not worse. Seems very much a shock absorber issue. It's already done 100,000 klm since the shocks were fitted.

Anyone else have any thoughts as to probable cause, two suspension joints I took the car for a check reckons its ok, they only have smooth roads , not rough roads where its more noticeable.

Just a thought....how are the shackle bushes ???
Have you greased the spring leaves ???
Are the shockie bushes OK ???
Is the spare tyre inflated to 40 psi ???
Is the spare tyre a steel rim or a mag wheel ???
Are the tail gate hinges OK ???
Any loose parts in the tail gate ???
Are the steel tub mountings OK ???

My BA does a similar thing on the left rear. I reckon its the handbrake lever that goes through the back of the backing plate rattling.

Hello cjh,

Thanks for your reply,

I've had a complete change over of the rear diff and housing. I dont have spring leaves, I have coil suspension. I have changed all bushes in both upper and lower control arms.

Shackle bushes I'll have to double check to see if my vehicle has them. It's been about a year since the complete diff assemble was changed over (that includes live axle). I don't have Independent Rear Suspension (IRS)

Spare tyre is inflated to 40 psi.

All wheels on vehicle are mags except fr spare which is steel rim.

Have no tailgate, mine is an AUII Sedan (Forte).

Tub mountings are good and tight.

Hello 93eb,

I dont think that's the cause of the rattles on my car, it only happens when its rough bitumised roads and gravel roads, If it was the handbrake cable rattling it would be noticebale on continuing basis and all road types.

I had the rear of the car raised again this afternoon double checked the handbrake cable that goes to the back wheel and its good as gold.