Good god. I need help diagnosing my suspension. I live in Baltimore (city) where the roads are sometimes cobblestone or rutted. Last winter I started to notice a loud rattling related to going over any bumps. Like, anything. And since then I've thrown urethane bushings in the lower control arms and sway bar bushings. I also replaced the sway bar end links and the passenger side ball joint and tie rod end and got it re-aligned. The drivers side ball joint and tie rod end are next. I'm also going to check the passenger side in case the castle nuts need to be re tightened if the joints settled. I'm throwing the kitchen sink at this problem but it doesn't show much sign of improvement. At present the noise is more prevalent on the drivers side but I hear it seemingly on both. Has anyone had this problem? what the hell did you do?

 

This problem is not going to be the same for everyone. Only way you are going to find your problem is get the car on jack stands and check all your joints, bushings and torques settings on the bolts you had previously loosened. If you don't know what you are looking for would highly recommend having a certified technician check it for you. Depending on what is causing the rattle, may not be safe to drive.

 

Jack it up and start whacking things with rubber mallet

 

I think I actually tried that at one point. Should do it again when I'm in there next. As far as safety, I've been under the car so often looking for anything wrong over the past year. It's probably fine so long as I'm not whipping around corners.

 

Check the top shock mounts. When these go, they start making noise and get progressively worse presenting like the whole front end is loose.

 

Thanks for the tip! I'd never have thought to look higher

 

I experienced the identical problem you describe last year with my 2003 (16 year old 350z). The problem was rusted and broken-down cross members (front and rear). The damaged cross members extended the damage to the upper and lower front control arms. I replaced a lot of the suspension, and the problem is now fixed.

 

Well my tie rod ends and ball joints are all new as of 3 AM. Upon inspection the shock mounts seem pretty worn out so that's probably next. I dont think my cross member is damaged, but it's worth an inspection. I'll check back later.

 

Just curious, have you looked at the exhaust at all? I'm wondering if the heat shields on the cats have rusted away, and are just rattling around now.

 

Are you referring to the rear shocks or the front strut mounts? I have a 08 z with 12000 miles and it rattles a lot also. sounds like its coming from the rear and tends to be worse when its cold.

 

as a mechanic.. i would let you know that 75% of rattles are sway bar links.
20% are strut/shock mounts
5% end up being something else..

thats for a rattle over the bumps.

 

Front. No spring hats on the rear.

 

As a mechanic, you're dead on. So now I've done LCA bushings, sway bar end links, LCA ball joints and the strut mounts. I've spent so many nights keeping the front suspension in check. Unless someone knows something I clearly don't, I'm giving up.

@jellofuel One of my cat heat shields did rust out so I cut the lower part off. It hasnt change the sound any.

 

do you know if front or rear? left or right? have someone or you ride next to it on a bicycle and listen for the noise.

put it on a lift and start whacking with with a big rubber mallet. and pry bar.

hell hit the tire with a wooden bat on a lift.

 

It's definitely up front and seems to be happening on both sides. I've been under banging things with a mallet but nothing lets on. I do have a wheel bearing going on the front right with a part on order but It's making its own sound. I also left off that I've replaced the sway bar bushings.

 

Perfect info. Thanks.
Put it back in the air.

Now smack the exhaust and heat shields.
In the front and both sides. Thats engine area. Pay attention to where the pipes get near the body.

 

Will do

 

Yup. I had forgotten about this until you mentioned the problem. I had to redo the hangers on my heat shields about 5 years ago to eliminate a significant rattle.

 

Well the vibration was the y pipe central heat shield. Knocked that out while replacing a wheel bearing. I'm suspicious that there might be the slightest bit of play in the control arm bushing cores. When I hit the LCA with a rubber mallet I get the slightest sort of ting sound. If that's the case I'm super disappointed because I bought my bushings from ConceptZ. And since nearly every other component has been replaced on the front suspension I cant think of or find anything else. I may be doomed to have the noise forever..

https://conceptzperformance.com/ener...lca_p_5902.php

 

There should be no noise coming from those bushings. Double check bolt torque if they do. Sleeve should be tight with no rattle.