Suspension rattles. Please help! | FerrariChat
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Suspension rattles. Please help!

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by PeterS, Jan 12, 2006.

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  1. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 PeterS, Jan 12, 2006
    This is starting to really bug me regarding my '77 308. I replaced all of the front end bushings and shocks, but the front-end is still not 'solid', meaning when I drive over (lets say) railroad tracks, the front end still rattles. The rack does have some play in it and I do not know if this is causing the problem.

    I spoke with Mateo who had the same problem, as he too replaced the rack on his 3X8, but still had the same rattles. What is it going to take to get the front-end to produce a solid feel? As for the control arms, etc., they are in good shape and I did not need to replace them when I had the initial work done on the front-end.
     
  2. docweed

    docweed Formula Junior

    Dec 8, 2004
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    Chuck Stewart
    #2 docweed, Jan 12, 2006
    Peter
    I'm sure you are much more experenced than I but I had a headlight bucket that rattled. Also removed the spare tire and then the fiberglass insert that covers the inside. There are a bunch of things that can rattle under there. Check the battery/holder. While the tire and insert are out take it for a ride to see if there is any change. You might place your knee on different parts of the bumper and push down sharply to see if you can create the rattle. It's worth a check.
     
  3. ham308

    ham308 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
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    Richard Ham
    #3 ham308, Jan 12, 2006
    I can't help Peter but as a fellow 77 "308 plus rattles" owner , I'm very interested to see what is recommended here. If ever I get around to it, I was hoping that replacing the suspension rubbers, dampers and steering rack would do the trick.

    What gives?
     
  4. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
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    chris morse
    #4 chrismorse, Jan 13, 2006
    Front sway bar to chasis bushings could be loose, broken or the brackets could be loose.
    The little aluminum sway bar drop links (with rubber bushings) are also another popular wear item. These can make a hell of a rattle especially over rough roads.

    Tell us a bit more about the noise is it light, heavy, over big/small bumps, or nearly constant with someone special in the passenger seat ;-)

    best chris
     
  5. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 PeterS, Jan 13, 2006
    Medium rattles all around. Hard to explain. Things are just not 'tight'!
     
  6. BigAl

    BigAl F1 Veteran

    Mar 17, 2002
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    #6 BigAl, Jan 13, 2006
    topical post. I too have the same rattle noise, but the steering feels fine. i took out front spare tire and the batt flap isn't tightened down....i think the batt is secure, but you've given me some things to check.
     
  7. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

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    #7 Ken, Jan 13, 2006
    Did you use urethane or rubber bushings? Urethane will cause rattles and I don't reccomend it for street use. Just a thought.

    Ken
     
  8. JTranfield

    JTranfield Formula Junior

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    #8 JTranfield, Jan 13, 2006
    I have had a similar situation on the rear and believe it or not with me it looks like faulty shocks. In my case the shock must be actaully rubbing against the spring over bumps at slow speeds as the shock edge is actaully wearing away! This is on new shocks and springs.

    As for the front I found a losse blower motor in the fender was causing a rattle at certain times over bumps.
     
  9. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    #9 308 GTB, Jan 13, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This happened to me last year. It felt like the battery wasn't secure. It turned out to be a herniated bushing, as Chris suggested.

    (Mine was on the right side)
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  10. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 PeterS, Jan 13, 2006
    I used Urethane.....And they sqweek too!
     
  11. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

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    #11 chrismorse, Jan 13, 2006
    I did all of the a arm bushings and sway bar bushings with black poly, no rattles or squeeks even with 350 lb ft and 300 lb rear springs on QA-i shocks.

    First, I tried to rebush the stock konis. Not only did the klunking noise not go away but the front shocks started t leak. Man, i was pissed off - all of that work and the noise didn't go away.

    Not to hijack the thread, but if you try the poly replacement bushings with zerk fittings, you had better lube the rear pretty quickly because the zerks are the lowest thing on the car and guess what, I cleaned mine off in 50 miles.

    hth,
    chris
     

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