Rattling coming from front right of car

[Howieau]

Im getting a weird rattling noise that has just begun recently. I own a 1990 Toyota Celica GT4. It isnt a consistent rattle, it seems to come and go while driving. Sometimes louder than usual. Last week my power steering belt came off and I put it back on. Not sure if this has any impact.

Anybody had a similar noise/problem?
Or could anybody suggest a possible cause/solution?

Much appreciated.

[RWDboy]

Brakes, suspension, CV's, driveshafts - there's some ideas

perhaps a better description of what conditions causes it to rattle would be nice rather than "not a consistent rattle"

[willwal98]

possibly worn bushes?

Not sure if ball joints would make a bad noise

[Bahnugget]

if it happens only when accellerating or decellerating it's likely to be your CV joints,

if it happens consistantly at the same rpm, its likely theres something loose and youre reaching harmonic frequency

if it happens when you go over bumps, it is likely to be suspension related

and if it either comes, or goes with braking, its likely to be brake related.


also, is the power steering belt intact? there isnt a fray off it spanking something is there?

[Roundy]

if it happens only when accellerating or decellerating it's likely to be your CV joints,

if it happens consistantly at the same rpm, its likely theres something loose and youre reaching harmonic frequency

Accelerating or decelerating it is likely to be the INNER CV joints, the outers click when turning (the left when turning right and vice versa)

If it is consistent RPM check your catalytic converter, mine went and consistently rattled ~4k rpm, then it disintegrated and flew through the exhaust

[GT4Junkie]

Accelerating or decelerating it is likely to be the INNER CV joints, the outers click when turning (the left when turning right and vice versa)

If it is consistent RPM check your catalytic converter, mine went and consistently rattled ~4k rpm, then it disintegrated and flew through the exhaust

HAHAHA, thats what happen to mine, was driving along. boost went down from .8 to .4 bar (really gotta get a psi gauge ) did this for about 10 mins, and didnt understand why. Was going up a hill so i punched it to try to knowck whatever was in there loose, next thing i knew looked like a dead bird flew out my exhaust, and went all over my mates prelude behind me!! was good for a laugh.

[Bahnugget]

yeah sorry, i forgot with CV joints, the outers clunk on corners and the inners clunk on accel/deccel

[o_man_ra23]

The outers should also clunk on accel and decel if the inners are fine, as they will be the sloppy part. But yeah, they will click on cornering too.

Cheers, Owen

[Howieau]

Thanks very much for the informative replies. Gives me alot to look out for.

perhaps a better description of what conditions causes it to rattle would be nice rather than "not a consistent rattle"

I do apologise, but I'm not sure what causes it to rattle, thats why im on the forums asking for ideas.

Another thing I have noticed, is that when I go over bumps my front right suspension sounds a little more rough. More of a knocking noise with every little bump, as opposed to the smoother thud lol. Are worn bushes related to suspension? Perhaps the rattling and the knocking could be the same problem. Sorry for the lack of insight into my problem, Im still a learning beginner when it comes to cars. I thankyou all very much though for your help!

[RWDboy]

If it's making clunking noises over bumps then it's *most* likely to be worn bushes in the suspension, next most likely is a worn shock absorber, or possibly a worn strut top (my strut top had at one point, tore itself away from the top mounting plate, and hence my strut could actually pop in and out .... twas interesting, and noisy). It also could be your brakes ... believe it or not on my ST165 the bottom caliper mounting bolt came out (i didn't do this work btw!) and the caliper could actually pivot away from the rotor and then slam back into it over bumps. Or it could be that your pads aren't sitting properly, or missing anti rattle or anti-squeal shims.

What i meant was by giving a better description was saying *when* it happens, and what you are doing at the time. Like around corners, accelerating, braking, over bumps, randomly, all the time, or when higher up in the engines RPM, cruising on freeways etc etc. All those details would be very useful in diagnosing a problem that I am a coupla thousand kilometres away from

[Dale]

Tie rod ends.. just to throw in another possibility to the pot