Car rattling noise and other noises

Jun 1, 2022 | Car interior, Damage | 0 comments

Help! I have a rattling sound in the car. Is something rattling or ticking in your car, but you don't know exactly where the sound is coming from? On this page we list possible causes of irritating noises in the car and how you can solve it.

Where does the car rattling sound come from?

Rattling and ticking noises from the engine and chassis are annoying, sometimes dangerous - and solving the problem is often work for the garage. But before you panic, it is advisable to go through the car thoroughly and clean it up. Remove all loose objects in the car, boot. Also look under the seats, in the compartments and near the spare wheel. Is everything tidied up but can you still hear the irritating noise? Then we can take a closer look and start looking for many possible causes. We have divided the possible rattling, rattling and ticking noises by component. Hopefully this will put you on the right path to a solution.

Noise from drive belt

Metallic clicking: only shortly after starting - Possible cause: hydraulic tappets with insufficient oil pressure - Solution: not necessary if the noise disappears after a few seconds. If the clicking persists, a tappet is faulty; on to the workshop.

Grinding clutch noise: Audible when pedal is depressed - Possible cause: Defective thrust bearing - Solution: Replacement (workshop).

Rattling or rattling clutch: Only audible when idling - Possible cause: Broken drive plate torsion springs - Solution: Replace clutch immediately (workshop work).

Rattling gearbox: Unusual noise at idle, difficult to distinguish from clutch rattling - Possible cause: Large gear backlash, axial play of the shift bushing - Remedy: Noise depends on component tolerance and is usually harmless.

Knocking noise: audible and perceptible when load changes - Possible cause: loose or worn motor bearings - Solution: tighten or replace broken bearing.

Crying and singing: Only noticeable while driving - Possible cause: Worn bearings in transmission or differential - Solution: Replace. However, diagnosis is a workshop matter, as is repair.

Tapping: only audible when the bonnet is open - Possible cause: Working noise of the injection nozzles - Remedy: Not necessary.

Buzzing: Immediately after the ignition is switched on - Possible cause: Operating noise of the fuel pump - Remedy: Not necessary.

Noise from chassis and brakes

Buzzing and roaring: noticeable in bends - Possible cause: wheel bearing on one side defective - Solution: first locate the defect. If it hums when cornering to the left, a wheel bearing on the right is probably affected; if it pops on the right side, damage to the left side must be assumed. Exact diagnosis: jack up the car and turn the steering wheel. With the other hand, grasp the control arm or support. If vibrations can be felt there, the culprit has been found. Exchange is a workshop affair!

Clatter in bends: only audible when driving fast, especially with varying load and on wet road surfaces - Possible cause: noises caused by the ESP control process starting up (the corresponding warning lamp comes on at the same time) - Remedy: avoid the limit range.

Creaking and rumbling: Noticeable in bends - Possible cause: The wheel-side joints on the drive shafts are defective - Solution: Replace the relevant drive shaft; Diagnosis and repair is a workshop business!

Grinding noise: Only audible when braking - Possible cause: Carrier plate of the worn brake pads rubs against the brake disc - Solution: Replace brake pads immediately, never continue driving! Often a new brake disc is also needed.

Rumbling: a constant companion on bad roads - Possible cause: usually faulty rubber on stabilisers, strut bearings or axle suspensions, shock absorbers themselves may also be affected. Diagnosis is a workshop matter! - Solution: replacement of affected components by a garage.

Squeaking noise from the brakes? We have written a separate blog for this. Click here for possible causes of squeaking brakes.

Disturbing noises in the interior

Rattling in the rear: audible at every pothole - Possible cause: tools, wheel nuts or other objects roll around in the spare wheel bin; the trough is a large resonance body, acts as an amplifier - Remedy: remove all loose objects; alternatively, wheel bolts or tools can be wrapped in rags or foam.

Creaking: heard when clutching - Possible cause: pedal hinges have dried out - Solution: Lubricate the hinges with silicone spray. Never use oil or grease as this will damage the plastic pedals.

Rattling in the dashboard: Usually only audible while driving, especially on bumpy roads - Possible cause: Cable harnesses hit ventilation ducts or other components - Solution: Cover cable with soft foam or secure with cable ties. With today's cars, with their complex electronics and built-in dashboards, this is usually a job for the workshop.

Creaking noises: Frequently occurs near plastic trim (doors, A, B, C pillars) - Possible cause: Plastic trim scrapes over paintwork - Solution: Line the contact points of the plastic parts with felt strips. - Alternative: Lubricate with silicone spray or wax, then the surfaces slide together more easily.

Squeaky seats: Regardless of passenger weight - Possible cause: backrest adjustment or other connecting parts without lubrication - Solution: lubricate backrest adjustment. But sometimes only complete disassembly with subsequent lubrication of all connection points helps (workshop work!).

Droning/vibrating door panels: Especially with bass-heavy music - Possible cause: The door speakers make the panels vibrate - Solution: Remove the door panels and check the speaker fixings. Disconnect the trim with foam mats (available at hobby shops) and fit with new locking clips.

Cracking noises: The dashboard and the centre console are particularly affected - Possible cause: Plastic caps rub against each other - Solution: Place felt strips underneath to prevent abrasive noises.

Exhaust noises

Rattling/rattling from below: Especially with varying load and when driving over potholes - Possible cause: Rubber bracket of the exhaust system cracked - Solution: Install new rubber bracket; only possible (pit/lift required).

Rattling and ringing from the centre of the car: audible both when accelerating and coasting, often depending on engine speed - Possible cause: defective catalytic converter (ceramic core broken) or heat shield plate cracked. - Also common: chambers of the front or rear silencer are shaken loose - Solution: knock off the exhaust from front to back with a fist. This makes it easy to expose the source of the noise (pit or lifting platform required). Replace faulty part.

Clinking or ringing: When engine is running, often audible also when vehicle is stationary - Possible cause: loose or broken clamps - Remedy: Visual check or ticking; Tighten loose clamp, replace broken parts.

Hissing, blowing sounds: Usually from around the engine compartment - Possible cause: Hairline cracks in the exhaust manifold - Solution: Replace the manifold (workshop).

Bodywork noise

Loud creaking: especially when driving over potholes - Possible cause: dry door locks - Solution: adhesive lubricant on the door handle and lock mechanism eliminates the creaking.

Clattering noises: usually only audible at higher speeds - Possible cause: Plastic covering on bumpers or floor covering has come loose and is clattering in the wind - Solution: Check that the relevant parts are tight and retighten if necessary.

Whistling or hissing: Especially audible near the A- and B-pillars - Possible cause: Wind noise caused by the doors hanging crookedly and no longer closing properly, or damaged door rubbers - Solution: Align the hinge plates of the doors with the A pillar (lots of experience required). - For professionals only: Carefully bend the window frame inwards when the window is down, so that the seals are tighter on the body and seal better.

Continuous creaking and squeaking: the noise comes mainly from the area around the doors and sunroof - Possible cause: dry and brittle seals on the doors and sunroof. Doors and roof lining act as large resonators that amplify the sound and make localisation difficult - Solution: lubricate all seals regularly with a silicone-based maintenance agent and keep them supple.

Flapping wipers: Occurs mainly in light rain - Possible cause: the wiper rubbers are worn - Solution: replace the wiper blades.

https://www.winparts.nl/blog/mijn-auto-maakt-een-ratelend-of-tikkend-geluid