Phantom rattles in my NB

[ED_MX5]

Hello all.
My car has developed a phantom rattle that I can't seem to locate. Had a few people agree that it seems loudest from RH front.

Car is a 10/2000 NB8B with vvti. Runs MCA XR adjustable coilovers.

Here is what I have tried to check already. Some of them silly in a desperate attempt to find it.
-control arm bushes and bolts
-ball joints
-adjustable coilover spring seat, top and lower mounting bolts.
-sway bar links, and mounts.
-steering rack mount, tie rod ends, rack ends.
-radiator mounts
-engine mounts
-underbody bracing
-exhaust mounts and heatshields
- bonnet bolts and bush
-front guard mounting
-door mounting
-front bumper
-shook wheels
-brake bolts

I think there's more, but can't remember. But I shook anything I could find, or jiggled with pry bar, or tapped with a mallet.

Even though I have checked above things, feel free to suggest something about any of them that I have missed.
It's driving me nuts.
Or if anyone is available to come have a look and give another opinnion be my guest. Free case of beer if you locate it.
Thanks all. Please help me fix it!

[hks_kansei]

When does it rattle? over bumps? at idle?
Does the rattle change with engine speed, road speed, or neither?
Is it metallic, plastic sounding?
roughly where does it sound like it's from?

etc.

[bruce]

Empty your cabin and boot. Take it for a drive.

[speed]

When does it rattle? over bumps? at idle?
Does the rattle change with engine speed, road speed, or neither?
Is it metallic, plastic sounding?
roughly where does it sound like it's from?

etc.

Unfortunately I was unable to help Ed out with the use of my hoist due to all the crap that is happening at my place. He described the rattle as follows.

Seems to be around the wheel/chassis area if I open my door and listen on a bumpy road. But can't find anything loose when I check it.

Not sure if Metallic or plastic. Ed?

[ED_MX5]

Cabin is empty. Nothing in the car.
Sounds like a metallic rattle like something meant to be mounted is loose. My initial thought from the sound was suspension or under bracing. But all seems tight.
Happens over bumpy roads in any condition (accel, decel etc.) Sounds mostly from RH side.

[Trackphotos]

Is it anything like this?



Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[NitroDann]

50 dollars on coilovers

[ED_MX5]

Trackphotos.
Not quite the same. But what fixed your issue? I'll try it anyway.

[Trackphotos]

I fixed it by removing all the sound deadening in the car so I couldn't hear it over the stones in the wheel wells :p in my case it's caused by a worn shim inside the front right shock tube, allowing fluid through between shims. Each time it pushes the fluid back out, the shim goes 'tink' against the next one in the stack. Makes a noise, doesn't affect performance or safety. That video was taken with a mic cabletied to the sway bar on the right side by the way, it wasn't quite that audible from inside the car.

[ED_MX5]

Aah gotcha. Hopefully not that then. They are virtually new. But will check it out anyway.
Thanks mate!

[NitroDann]

It will be the pillow balls or because you didn't put the plastic shims back.

[ED_MX5]

I'll take a look at that too.
I remember putting the plastic shims on. But someone else had them out since then. I'll check.
If it's missing, what's best fix? Can you buy more?

[hks_kansei]

The plastic shims are just a thin sheet of clear plastic that goes between the shock mount, and the car body.

If you can find similar sheeting you could easily make a set by cutting out the shape with scissors.

[ED_MX5]

Might get some thin gasket sheet from work then.

[Howie vn]

Got the same problem with my 5.
It sounds like it's coming from the rear wheel well and it rattles alot more than on your clip. It has lowered springs on std shocks.
Will suss it out.
Cheers boys.