Banging/Rattle

[selleym]

Hi just wondering if anyone has had the same issue or some ideas..

Over rough roads I get a rattle/ light banging from the front left. Sounds like a large piece of plastic or metal knocking.
Be great if anyone has any suggestions

[salsajoe]

A few people have found the bonnet stay caused a rattle. Could try wrapping some foam to see?

[selleym]

Thanks I will have a look at that. But it sound more like its coming from under the car?

[moulin12]

Me too. As I was driving into work the other day a colleague alerted me to a rattle he could hear coming from underneath the car: he said it sounded 'hollow', as if dragging along a piece of plastic. I've seen threads and a video on rattles from the protective plate under the dsg box, but?

[selleym]

I had a closer listen today. Wondering if it could be wires or lines banging on one of the panels?
Whatever is making the banging noise sounds large. Like a panel or protective plate...

[Cuprabob]

Could be a broken spring. Sadly, not too uncommon on VAG cars.

[selleym]

Would that be easy to spot by me (car novice) with just having a look?

[Cuprabob]

Not always easy to spot as they tend to break close to the end of the spring. Other possibilities are ARB bushes, top mounts and ball joints.

[selleym]

Seems to be more noticeable when going around a corner... Not sure if that would point towards anything?

[moulin12]

Seems to be more noticeable when going around a corner... Not sure if that would point towards anything?

That might simply be because buildings /architecture on corners may be directing the sound directly towards you? (Just a thought).

There are many threads out on VAG having MFW issues. Have a listen to this: " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Whilst my rattle is not in the least as alarming as this, and appears intermittent, the 'marbles in a can' sound seems the same.

[selleym]

Cheers for the idea but its not that. Its definitely from going over rough ground.
I'm hoping VW checked the springs and everything before selling me it(hopeful) as its an approved used with 1 year warranty.
I am going to try wrapping the bonnet stay in some foam to stop it moving. But i have a feeling it is more towards the underside/front left wheel.

[Babajang]

Ive not read the whole thred completely so could be repeating what somebody else has already said. Try pushing on the plastic on the side areas between where the gear sticks is mounted in and where the passengers legs would be. i had a shocking rattle coming from there and it took ages to find it!

[moulin12]

Cheers for the idea but its not that. Its definitely from going over rough ground.
I'm hoping VW checked the springs and everything before selling me it(hopeful) as its an approved used with 1 year warranty.
I am going to try wrapping the bonnet stay in some foam to stop it moving. But i have a feeling it is more towards the underside/front left wheel.

To add, this is exactly where my rattle seems to be coming from.

[selleym]

Hi moulin,
have you done any investigation into your rattle to rule out things that it isn't?

[moulin12]

Hi Selleym, tbh no, but partly on the basis that the car is booked in for a VAG service on July 30th and that I'm booked in to take a test drive with the technician to investigate a small concern over a possible misfire at idle, so will be bringing the rattle to his attention.

It's also the case that my home address does not have a driveway, and the road has a huge camber, ruling out any underbody investigations. That and, well, I'm getting on a bit...

However, open to all suggestions, and will of course provide an update on the outcome of the service visit.

[selleym]

I removed the bonnet stay from the car. The rattle continued so ruled that out.
I also ran my hand from the top of both shock springs from top to bottom and I couldn't feel anything wrong with it.
I then started just prodding around seeing if anything rattled when moved... I found the under then passenger side the long bit of plastic that runs under the car. Guessing its for protection? When I push on that it hits on something if I wobble it up and down it rattles!!
Wondering if this happens for anyone else? Maybe I can remove it and put something in between the plastic and whatever its hitting.

[moulin12]

I had come across this earlier, perhaps should have posted it up as a possible; " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[selleym]

Thats pretty much where i can hear it coming from! But i have a manual. But i guess something else under there could be contacting it instead...

[matt_j_smith]

Long shot, but I found my horn kept working loose. Remove headlight and see if its smashing about on the undertray.

[selleym]

Cheers I will check that aswell!
While having a further knock around for the rattle I found that the protective under tray bits which stick down were full of stones!
Picture below of the bits I mean! Also you can see some of the stones that I bashed out on the floor expecting my mpg to soar now


From the prodding around I definitely think its the plastic hitting the metal underneath! Should foam be ok to just put in the gap?