ayelien

Here is a wierd problem.

I have developed a strange rattle which seems to be coming from the right rear passenger side of the car and I can't find the source. At first I thought it was coming from the exhaust brackets because I have replaced the cat back with an Invidia system but I can't find any loose brackets. Here are the characteristices.
It only begins to be heard when the car has been driven for a while.
It sounds like a rattle, not a grind or scape.
It is not constant . It is ONLY heard while you are turning to the left, NOT right.
It is heard in both gentle turns such as a lane change or a tight turn.
It is not generally heard when you go over a bump, even a big one or on washboard roads.:thinker
You can't feel any vibration in the drivetrain when it happens.
Of note: Previously the car was flipped and the right rear lower A arm was broken and replaced but the car has been driven over 2000 miles since then, including some track time with no sound till recently.

So this may be a long shot but has anybody else experienced a noise like this??
Any suggestions, recommendations? Ideas how to isolate and identify the sources?

I have not been able to figure it out. :

xviper

Try tightening your spare tire hold down.

revhi

I had a noise for a while and found out that this was the problem, but it sounded more like someone shaking a can of pennies when the spare tie down was loose.

ayelien

Sorry I was off the grid and did not reply sooner!!

I thought that might be it too but it wasn't . I : even took the spare tire out and still have the same problem. Wierd thing is it only happens when I change lanes or turn to the left! Any other ideas out there.banghead:

xviper

Was the A arm torqued with the suspension loaded? Properly lubed at time of assembly? If it wasn't, this might be something that is now coming back to haunt you. A left turn or lane change loads the right side of the car. Since you had the right rear worked on, it is a distinct possibility that it was installed in the incorrect sequence and without proper bushing lube.

smyroad

Does clicking speed up and down with the car's speed?

ayelien

The noise is not a click and does not change with speed. Its more like a rattle like a loose bracket but I can't find anything loose.
Regarding the replacement of the A arm. The original was broken and I replaced. I did torque the assembly lifted off the floor so that would be with no load on it. I also replaced the 3 bearings on the inner CV joint at the same time as 2 were missing. Also, when I tightened the retaining nut that holds the whole hub assembly it was pretty tight but my torque wrench would not go as high as the spec called for. I did put over 2000 miles on it before the sound started.
So a couple questions.
What would be the proper procedure to torque the assembly?
Second, Everything seems to turn freely without I have bad bearings?

xviper

The bushings should have had a little bit of grease rubbed on them before installing. The final torquing of all nuts and bolts should have been done with the suspension loaded.

ps. I didn't know you could just pop in bearings that were missing. Doesn't the joint have to be properly rebuilt and bearings matched?

ayelien

On the bearings. I don't think so . There are three bearings each of which just slips over one of three knuckles that form kind of a radial star pattern inside the CV joint attached to the end of the axle. Each knuckle or point of the star kind of look like one of the 4 ends of a universal joint. There are no reatinere on the bearings. they just free float inside the CV case . When the axle assembly is engasged to the rear diff they get sandwiched/sealed inside and thereis no way to fall out .