A rattle is driving me nuts, any ideas? | FerrariChat
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A rattle is driving me nuts, any ideas?

Discussion in '348/355' started by tdunlap, Dec 21, 2010.

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  1. tdunlap

    tdunlap Rookie

    Aug 29, 2010
    6
    Queen Anne, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Timothy Dunlap
    #1 tdunlap, Dec 21, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I recently purchased a 1994, 348 Spider, with just over 8,000 miles. I had the engine out service preformed, as well as having just about any other issues addressed at the same time. A new water pump, hill clutch throughout bearing, timing belts and hill bearings, high flow cats and performance exhaust, were some of the things done. Got rid of all the sticky plastic pieces, thanks to “Sticky no More”. Had the front spoiler off and painted to repair the few scraps underneath. Detailed the paint and interior.

    All in all she looks just great and is running really nice. I have one disappointment, I mean other than having to drive 55 most of the time. She has a rattle at speed (50 MPH +), coming from behind my head, like in the top. I think it is on both sides too. I fist thought it may be the top working on the frame as the wind passes over the top. It may be this, but I tired a little dry lubricant on the tops frame to see if it would have any effect. It dose not.

    I’m wondering if anyone else has a Spider and has the same issue, or maybe someone knows where to look and how to fix this. It’s kind of hard to drive and look for it.

    One other question I have, were can I get really nice floor mats, maybe wool? The originals are in perfect condition and I’d like to have another set so I can keep the original ones nice, maybe just use them for shows.

    Thanks,
    Tim
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  2. JAYF

    JAYF Formula 3

    May 13, 2006
    1,140
    Westchester, NY
    Full Name:
    Jay
    #2 JAYF, Dec 22, 2010
    Is it a true rattle or more of a little chirping sound? Is it always there or just over bumps?
     
  3. tdunlap

    tdunlap Rookie

    Aug 29, 2010
    6
    Queen Anne, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Timothy Dunlap
    #3 tdunlap, Dec 22, 2010
    Pretty much always there above 50mph. If I push on the top when the car is sitting still, at the back corners, I think it makes the same sound. I mean like pushing it down just a bit and letting go quickly. I think it may be the seam where the material is doubled over, you know the top has two seams, one on each side of the top. I think the seam is a bit of a hard spot on the frame.

    As soon as I get some nice weather, I may try to stuff a small rag between the top and frame and see if it still does it.

    I was just wondering if anyone with a Spyder has the same problem. I hate rattles.
     
  4. eyboro

    eyboro Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 30, 2004
    989
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Eitan
    #4 eyboro, Dec 22, 2010
    I had a rattle coming from the top of my 355 spider even thou it sounded like it's coming from the rear it was actualy the sun visors, just hold the visors while driving and see if the noise stops.
     
  5. Eli355

    Eli355 Formula Junior

    Oct 12, 2010
    678
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    Eli
    #5 Eli355, Dec 22, 2010
    Jayf I have a little chirp. Driver side front door area. It goes away if I hold the inside door pull. Ideas?
     
  6. jim94-348

    jim94-348 Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Aug 19, 2010
    981
    Greenville, NC
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #6 jim94-348, Dec 22, 2010
    Hi Tim,
    I have a Spider and I don't hear the rattle in mind. All I hear is all of the noise from the wind on the top when it is up. Do you hear the same noise with the top down? This may eliminate everything but the top. I think I would try the rag you mentioned. That is an easy and quick test. Good Luck!!
     
  7. LouB747

    LouB747 Formula 3

    Apr 8, 2009
    2,123
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Lou Boyer
    #7 LouB747, Dec 22, 2010
    First of all, beautiful car! I have a 94 Spider also. I have a rattle that comes from the top too. Not sure if this will help, but mine comes from the hinge joint right at the middle of the side windows. I have my car covered now, and it's surrounded by presents, so I can't get a pic. Sometimes it comes from one side, sometimes both. I've felt "up in there" while driving. Feels like a "washer" thats free to rattle. Only happens at certain speeds or RPM's. And when hitting bumps sometimes. I haven't fixed it yet. When I first got the car, I planned on driving it top down all the time, so I didn't worry about it. I have an 86 Mondial Cabriolet that I always drive with the top down. I don't like the look with it up. But I really like the look of 348/355 Spiders with the top up. So I plan on fixing it after the holidays. I hope this helps you. At first I thought it was coming from behind too. But actually coming from the sides for me.

    Happy Holidays, Lou
     
  8. JAYF

    JAYF Formula 3

    May 13, 2006
    1,140
    Westchester, NY
    Full Name:
    Jay
    #8 JAYF, Dec 23, 2010
    I have the same noise in my car with the top up or down on doth sides. I have been trying to figure out what it is. So far I have removed both door panels, put leather conditioner and dressing on the sides and outer facing, I have lubed all the weatherstrips around the doors with a special rubber lube and have made sure the door strikers and latches are tight and lubed. That didn't solve the problem. I think it is the top of the door panel rubbing against the folded little plastic piece at the top of the door. I plan on gettinging more involved with it in the next few weeks. If I solve the problem, I will post pics and a how to in this thread.



    With my top up, I don't have any windnoise to speak of. In fact I was shocked at how quiet and rattle free the car was inside with the top up. I have an old Mercedes SL that has a similar looking top, but has alot of windnoise. The 348 was a pleasant surprise.
     
  9. tdunlap

    tdunlap Rookie

    Aug 29, 2010
    6
    Queen Anne, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Timothy Dunlap
    #9 tdunlap, Dec 23, 2010
    Hello all,

    Thanks for the great suggestions, especially LouB747. I’m guessing you fly a 747? Anyway, that washer at the hinge joint sounds like it might be right on. I’m going to look at that because the noise sounds like a washer rattling.

    Thanks again all, great forum, so many nice folks.
     
  10. jmiff348

    jmiff348 Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 30, 2006
    2,369
    Texas, USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrett
    #10 jmiff348, Dec 23, 2010
    Sorry I don't have any advice for the rattling problem, but you have a stunning car there, bro! Congrats on your purchase!
     
  11. Toddston

    Toddston Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 29, 2006
    196
    USA
    #11 Toddston, Dec 23, 2010
    For carpet mats, try Lloyds. They come in three thicknesses and while not wool they are excellent quality, soft and custom cut for each car and were a perfect fit for my 355.
     
  12. Eli355

    Eli355 Formula Junior

    Oct 12, 2010
    678
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    Eli
    #12 Eli355, Dec 24, 2010
    What is the lloyds link.
     
  13. jim94-348

    jim94-348 Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Aug 19, 2010
    981
    Greenville, NC
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #13 jim94-348, Dec 25, 2010
    You really don't hear wind noise? Mine is pretty loud when I am up around 60 or higher. What is anyone else's like?
     
  14. Aiden

    Aiden Karting

    Mar 13, 2009
    217
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Aiden Naughton
    #14 Aiden, Dec 26, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. Aiden

    Aiden Karting

    Mar 13, 2009
    217
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Aiden Naughton
    #15 Aiden, Dec 26, 2010
    The rattle was from the half round part of the frame support just above my finger.
     
  16. tdunlap

    tdunlap Rookie

    Aug 29, 2010
    6
    Queen Anne, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Timothy Dunlap
    #16 tdunlap, Dec 28, 2010
    Hi Aiden,

    Thanks for the photos and advice. I'm going out to the garage to look at that area.

    We just got a bunch of snow, so I won't be going for a drive to test the theory. I'm thinking this is my problem though. Even with the car sitting in the garage, I can push up and down in that area on the top, and it makes the noise.

    I'm thinking a small bit of leather glued there or something.
     

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