Metal on Metal rattle at 4250 - 4800 RPM

[Blink_32]

I have this metal on metal rattle at *about* 4250 through 4800 rpm. It never appears before or after that range. It absolutely is coming from the Passenger side Front wheel direction. It sounds EXACTLY like a heat shield rattle BUT, here is the following I have done to attempt to remedy this problem rule other issues out.

1.I put a UDP on. About 1 week later noticed noise. Replaced UDP with Stock Pulley. Noise still present.

2.Inspected heatshields no less than 5 times. Removed heatshield over front CV joint/axle piece. Noise still present.

3.Does NOT happen when vehicle is in Neutral. Only when in gear, ANY gear, and accelerating.

4.Ensured dust covers that are removed for pulley installation securely tightened.

5.Inspected Entire length of exhaust system at the same time as the heat shields. Tight clearances noted and enlarged as necessary. Noise still present.

6.Replaced aftermarket wheel/tire combo with stock wheel/tire. Noise still present.

I have 2 guesses as to what it might possibly be caused by but I want more opinions or suggestions.

Thanks. Anthony

[speedy_zx3]

you're not the only one brutha... I recently noticed it too after installing my exhaust. I had a leak in the exhaust, but when I replaced the gaskets and RTV'd the hell out of them, I noticed the leak was less apparent, but there was that rattle noise. don't know what the ***** it could be, but it was only there after the gaskets were redone.

btw, does anyone know where I can get OE exhaust flange gaskets that don't cost $6 each (from a dealership)???

------------------
"I'm mad. You're mad. We're all mad here!" - Cheshire Cat
------------------
'01 Twilight Blue ZX3 5-spd w/ Power/Premium options
NOW:JBA Header, Esslinger UDP (blue), AEM CAI, Thermal R&D exhaust, EURO plate (reads: SPEEDY ZX3)<--THANKS BEN!
LATER:Throttle Body (BBK? FC?), B&M shifter, Spark Plug Wires, H&R Sport springs, KYB 4-way adjustable struts, Eibach anti-sway bar kit, 17" ICW GT Sport rims w/ BFG Euro T/A's

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/speedy_zx3 CLICK ON ZX3!

[Blink_32]

^^^^

[EastAl]

Ok, you're alittle high on the RPM's from what I've seen. I first noticed this on a friends SVT. And right off the bat, we determined it was the passenger side, just inside the fender. But, we only noticed it as the car was coming down in RPM's. Right around 1500-1700 RPM's. We looked at his car for a while, and couldn't figure out waht it was.
A couple months ago, I start to notice the same rattle on my car. Same RPM range, and same location. I know it's just a piece of sheet metal, or something that is getting hit by the resonance of the engeine, at a certain RPM. And, I ahven't bothered to search my car to see what it is.
Well, last night, we noticed it on Mike's(PGZX3) car. Same thing 1500-1700 RPM's, awfull tinny rattle, and no where to be easily found. One thing about Mike's car though, the sound seemed to be more centralized around the block. Almost like it's coming from the engine itself. I don't see how though.

I've come to the conclusion that this is one of the quirks of the car. Mine hasn't gotten worse, so I'm not too concerned about it. But, I know some people can't stand when something like this happens on their car, and I bet someone somewhere will find a really good explanation for it.

Later, Al

[mattszx5]

it is soo annoying all my friends tell me that it a loose heat sheild but i checked 'em and they are all fine, hope we find out soon whats wrong

[Blink_32]

Originally posted by EastAl:
Ok, you're alittle high on the RPM's from what I've seen.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Damn, back from the dead.

The problem was the header its-self. It was a JBA w/out the welded in support bracket. Just an inherent vibration. And 4250-4500 shouldn't be high in the RPM band. Maybe if I was just tooling around town and leaving it in a low gear. But its not like I was pushing 6500. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Dieselman959]

It's the engine mount on the passenger side. Replace it and the noise disappears...$84.

[curtainb]

I am also having a metal sound that rattles when the engine is 1st put into reverse and drive from a stop but goes away under exceleration. I have replace both motor mounts and the torque mount. If I put a jack under the engine and lift the weight from the mount it stops. Any other suggestions? Not sure if they are selling defective mounts for the replacements.

[Capitalist]

Hmm, sounds like my situation... tinny resonance from 4-5k rpms. This happened in the last two weeks, just as the car turned 100,000 miles. Initially I was concerned it may be an exhaust leak or worn-out cat, but now i'll have to investigate the heat shield and the motor mount possibilities as well.

[Capitalist]

bump