i spent the better part of my day today at work (it was a slow day) SEARCHING for threads with rattles. I couldn't find any threads that shed some light on where I could search or what I could do for this particular rattle.



To begin, it sounds like aluminum rattling..almost the sound your license plate would make if it were loose. The first thing I did to test that theory was to remove my plates and drive down my neighbors driveway (which is more than 1/4 mile long, he lives on a farm). Still heard it. So, I had to find what else was causing it.

1. it sounds like it comes from the exterior; that much I know. Meaning, I don't think it has anything to do with the interior, the hatch, etc.
2. it sounds like it is coming from the right side of the car. I hear it most often with both windows down, but what sounds like the right side of the car.
3. It sounds like it is coming from the rear more so than the front. When going over a small bump or crack in the pavement, i seem to hear it after the rear wheels go over the bump or crack as opposed to the front wheels.



I got a light and looked under the car the best I could (I don't own any stands or anything yet, but I plan to in the future). I tapped around every single inch of the underside of the car on the right side, from front axle to the tip of the exhaust. I noted that there are what looks like heat shields made of thin aluminium, but I knocked on those a few times that are near the exhaust and it didn't appear to be what causes the rattle.

I looked at the brakes and the aluminium(shield?) that surrounds the rotor looks like it could cause the noise I hear, but I don't know how I would test it.
I also think it could be the gas tank, or something in that area?

I really am at a loss here and I will be calling up my dealer tomorrow to make an appointment this weekend, but if anyone can offer any advice or suggestions, I would really appreciate it.

2008 Base 6sp, 2400 miles on it, bought it brand new about 2 months ago. Bone stock save for a different antenna.

 

Weelll, this has been hashed, crashed and bashed. Do a search on hatch rattles and you'll get a bucketful.

It could be a number of things - and you may never find it

 

I have been looking for about 2 years now, good luck.

 

Gas lid?

Also, have someone else drive while you search and try to narrow it down.

 

It is not the hatch. I only hear it when the windows are down.

Thanks for nothing. Feel better trying to put me down?

 

No, no. No put down. Some folks have a rattle they have yet to find. Other folks do find it. There are several possible solutions in the forums here for both inside and outside rattles.

It may take a few searches, but there are some good clues in these forums.

Unfortunately, I have tried nearly everyone of them and I STILL have an intermittent rattle that drives me nuts.

 

I apologize. This is my first "annoyance" with this car and it seems to be rattling on every single little crack and bump in the road, but going slowly over something like a speed bump doesn't cause it to rattle.

I have searched for everything and I just can't find any other posts with a similar problem on a newer car (assuming older rattles from 03-06 years have been resolved by tsb's, etc.

I will keep searching and worry about it this weekend if I can take it in to the dealer.

 

1)
Try removing the jack and associated items along with the spare tire; then go for a test drive around your favorite route that creates the "rattle" noise. If still "rattles"; next, remove any items in the glove box located behind the passenger seat and go for a test drive.

2)
Check under the car around the gas tank to ensure the tank straps are still securely fasten or gas tank dented (I presume the noise may be coming from the gas tank area per your comment?).

 

Also try under suspension rattles and noises. There were several ideas from there. Lots of stuff under the rear to rattle or rub if it's loose. I wouldn't eliminate anything based upon a model year - have a look at it all.

There was one forum member who solved his rattle with a towel shut in the hatch.

Good Luck!

 

I had a similar rattle in the right rear area of my Z and took the car to a local Nissan dealer to diagnose under warranty. They found that when the fuel lines had been replaced during a recall, that the dealer who did the work had left off several bolts and also did not re-hang the exhaust properly. This was causing the exhaust pipe to rattle against the gas tank. It would only rattle when the car hit a certain RPM, was positioned at a particular angle on a hill, or when I hit a bump. It's near impossible to squeeze under the car enough to check for this, so I would recommend letting your dealer take a look on their hydraulic lift. If that's what's going on, they'll see it right away. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

+1

Good first post! Too bad you took 6 months to finally speak!

I have an exhaust rattle in my 06 and this is probably the culprit.

 

OP, I have a similar problem on my 08' Touring. It started, I believe, fairly recently as I've been driving with the windows down since April and have heard nothing since about a few weeks ago. However, when I drive over certain size potholes or bumps on the road I hear a distinct metallic/aluminum rattle. Since the acoustics are hard to figure out, especially on a moving vehicle, I can't tell which side the rattle is coming from, but its definitely coming from the rear of the car. It doesn't drive me nuts as far as annoyance and it only happens at certain times and with certain road conditions, but I will definitely take it to the dealer my next time around and have them inspect it for any lose parts. Seems like a chasy problem though. Keep your head up, nothing is perfect in this world.
Let me know if you find a fix or have it fixed by someone. I'll do the same.

 

I have the same rattle and under the exact same conditions. I remember the exact moment that mine started though. I hit a fairly good sized bump in the road and the first thing I heard was a load "PING" sounded like metal sheering and flying off my car from underneath. The rattle has been there ever since. It never happens when I go over speed bumps only under normal driving conditions and when I hit pits or bumps in the road. I put the Z up on a lift and went over every single component that I could see to ensure the bolts were secure and there was no free motion, still nothing. Gonna put it up again this weekend and pull the wheel wells this time along with any underbody plastic covers to see if it could be anything on the frame. As long as she rolls I'm happy, but this is torture, the rattle will not beat me!

 

Same problem on my NISMO, have yet to find it.

 

I had the same problem on my rear passenger. Check the wheel bering (sp?). Take off the caliper and pads and see if you got any give on the rotor trying to shake or move it (you should not). I would also remove the rotor to inspect. It will be apparent if you need to do it. The bering is two piece so replace them both.

For my 05 Z it also gave a little indication (in retrospect) when I was torquing my lugs I could hear like the metal shield behind the rotor flex (metal sheet flexing sound).

 

Do you have an aftermarket exhaust? because on the right rear there's a black box that protects the fuel lines and it hangs really close to the exhaust and a lot of times this can cause a rattle if it's sitting too close, if your exhaust has been adjusted or you just got an aftermarket one....

 

I got the same issue. I have an 07 Touring I picked up 2 months ago. The noise is faint but very noticeable to me. I hear it every time I back in and out of the driveway. Every so often I will hear it riding over a bump, pothole and at times accelerating after a stop light. I have checked everything I could think of around the passenger back tire. No luck yet. I'm taking it to my cousins shop and hopefully he can find the b@stard. lol

I started to notice the sound 2 weeks ago after doing about 85 mph on the highway and going over several dips in a row. It's possible that had nothing to do with it but I have a feeling it is. I'm not sure what to think

 

update on this. Brought it to the dealers and after 4 visits and a weeks worth of attempts, they fixed it. It was the emergency brake assembly. I guess it wasn't tight enough, or not enough lube on the ends or something, but they removed the entire assembly, greased up everything that needed it, put it back on, made sure it was tight and the sound is gone. I guess the wire was hitting when i would hit certain bumps and that was the noise that was causing it.

glad it is finally gone!!!!