pbenchin

No I didn't take it off, but thanks. I also have narrowed the noise to be coming from approximately right where the stabalizer bar mounts to the rear fender well

pbenchin

Wow! That sounds like it could be it. It's the exact place of the sound, and it appears to be the same type of sound as well! I noticed that there's a black reinforcement plate that bolts in the stab bar to the fender well also. Perhaps I should unbolt that and do an inspection. Thanks for the tip! I'll check it out probably this weekend!

addrock

It also could be the manual truck release is directly under the rear strut tower so the little tab you pull the Velcro might have come off causing the noise

pbenchin

OK, here is the latest from a different website that seems to know the problem I am having. They said a dealer found after much searching that it is the right rear shock mount that is causing the noise. That is exactly from where the noise is generated. I have one on order. I will install it and let you know if it is the perpetrator!

NISMOFO

iTrader: (28)

So this is actually the piece that the shock mounts to right? I have the "exact" same problem as you..on the right rear. Same noise...identical. I have been driving with all of my rear plastic panels out of the car for months now. It actually looks pretty cool depending on the color of your Z. Anyways, I had thought that I might have needed to cut out and reweld in a new piece to the rear strut as well.......maybe? I still don't know for sure.

But anyways, what I did was I jacked up my car and took the top shock mount down and looked inside.....saw nothing of course. I sprayed WD-40 on the top shock mount....and put it back on. The noise goes away temporarily (usually). I have done this more than one. I have also completely swapped out my driver's and passenger's rear shocks + mounts. so right now my car has the original passenger rear shock + mount on the driver's side. The noise is still there. So no matter which of my two rear shocks it is....it's making the noise. Maybe I should buy two new shock mounts....are they revised or something after the 2003 model?

That would be a cheaper and easier fix for me to try. I really don't want to cut my car apart and reweld stuff. But I've been living with the noise for months now.....I'm past the point of really caring too much. I thought about naming the noise or something....haha.

gt3

iTrader: (10)

I think I have the same rattle for past 3 years...but I had 2 sets of TEIN coilovers, and the noise is still there. Keep us informed. I am very interested in getting rid the d*mn noise!

Are you referring to the top or the bottom of the shock mount? Do you by chance of the part number of the shock mount?

pbenchin

It's the top shock mount that I ordered. I can get the part number for you when I am at home, but don't have it at my work. I lost my momentum on this for the moment. I decided to take it to a suspension specialist, and am trying to get an appointment now. It could also be a broken weld, still haven't seen it though!

NISMOFO

iTrader: (28)

I really hope it's not the broken weld issue. I just don't want to deal with that poop. It's nothing that can be seen (even taken apart) until it's cut apart....as far as I know.

gt3

iTrader: (10)

Sorry to hear that did not do the trick...keep us informed on your progress. Good luck!

NISMOFO

iTrader: (28)

A buddy of mine suggested putting a piece of "felt" in between the shock mounting plate and the car where it bolts onto. Apparently they use this trick for dash rattles at dealerships. I tried it today......I bought some felt at Wal-Mart and did the install. It didn't work.

I also realized a really good trick to make the rattle happen (if you want to show others).....just drive over those little rod dots (like when you're going into a turning lane). I did that today, and it rattled like crazy. Other than that.....it's kind of hit and miss for me.

gt3

iTrader: (10)

Funny because I was just ready to go down to the garage and put a piece cork gasket material between the shock and the car...now I'm having second thoughts aftering reading your post. This is looking more and more to be a broken weld issue

pbenchin

Hi guys,

I started this thread, and got way to busy to push further. Did anyone of you find the broken weld? Or did the shock mount resolve it? I was trying to find an angle for the extended warranty I purchased to cover it. It states in the warranty that "rattles" are not covered. But what if it's a rattle caused by a broken weld on the body of the car? Anybody have experience with these extended warranties?

j.arnaldo

I think twotonicnite's right on the nose! Makes sense.

NISMOFO

iTrader: (28)

That's definitely not the same problem some of us are having though. I have all that stuff removed from my car...I still hear it. It's definitely not any plastic panels.....for my car at least.

VoodooJC

iTrader: (4)

Anyone find a solution for this rattle? Driving me nuts!!

pbenchin

I finally gave up a few days ago, and took my car to the stealer to see if they could fix this bloody noise. They charged me about $200-, but worth every penny if it lasts. I talked to the mechanic who solved the mystery noise and he said that he had to remove the black metal panel (located underneath the plastic panels of the stabalizer bar) that reinforces the stab bar to the inside of the right rear fender. Once inside of that area, he said there is what he called "metal glue" that holds metal together that is pressed by machine at that joint. The "glue" had broken it's bond and was causing the rattle to occur. He said he just bent the metal so it didn't make contact with the fender metal anymore and problem solved.

Check it out and let me know if this solves your issue as well!

NISMOFO

iTrader: (28)

Wow......I did everything BUT take that metal plate off....now I'm going to! And I just put all those plastic pieces back in after all these months of driving with it off.....lol.

Anyways, this is not a fix, but in my car it helped REDUCE the noise. I changed my suspension......more importantly my shocks. I just put on Nismo Edition Z suspension off car #867. It's stiffer springs (progressive) in the rear and the shocks have 50% more dampening than stock, but it made a pretty big improvement. The noise is still there on the big bumps....but the car doesn't dip as much as it used to......my old shocks were pretty worn.

When I have the time, I might take that black plate off and see what I find in my car. Maybe even take pictures and post.