Intermittent loud rattle from under ST170
Thread Starter
15000
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Surrey
Intermittent loud rattle from under ST170
Hi all,
I bought an '03 plate ST170 the other day, seems to be a nicely cared-for example from what I can see, with the exception of a missing bottom cat heat shield (and the top was 'held' on by a broken metal tie).
Took it to the garage to get the brake pads changed yesterday and while it was up on the ramp I took a look underneath, the top of the cat heatshield has had the lips bent into place to stop it falling off and rocketing down the road (good, I guess?), but now I'm getting a hell of an intermittent rattle
at 40+mph, in any gear. It can be a little bit hard to hear as it's behind the road noise, but it is audible. Seems worse in windier weather, which makes me think it is a heatshield as the air gets to it and shakes it about at higher speed.
Looking at the underside, the undercarriage seems to be in pretty good nick, with only some surface rust on the underside of the exhaust system. I can see where other heatshields have been cable-tied in place, but none are loose in the way the one on top of the cat was.
Am I going mad, or is this a heatshield rattle?
Cheers,
Wilde
I bought an '03 plate ST170 the other day, seems to be a nicely cared-for example from what I can see, with the exception of a missing bottom cat heat shield (and the top was 'held' on by a broken metal tie).
Took it to the garage to get the brake pads changed yesterday and while it was up on the ramp I took a look underneath, the top of the cat heatshield has had the lips bent into place to stop it falling off and rocketing down the road (good, I guess?), but now I'm getting a hell of an intermittent rattle
Looking at the underside, the undercarriage seems to be in pretty good nick, with only some surface rust on the underside of the exhaust system. I can see where other heatshields have been cable-tied in place, but none are loose in the way the one on top of the cat was.
Am I going mad, or is this a heatshield rattle?
Cheers,
Wilde
Regular Contributor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 264
Likes: 27
From: Northwest
Its quite possible, loose heat shields can make a hell of a racket.
They break around the washers so you can fit bigger ones to hold but the nuts are usually rusted solid as well.
They break around the washers so you can fit bigger ones to hold but the nuts are usually rusted solid as well.
Last edited by _Jimmy_; Jun 2, 2016 at 03:00 PM.
Thread Starter
15000
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 36
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From: Surrey
Cheers all -- have had a look at the rubber flexi bits for the cat and they look, well, flexible (but not failed). Will order the relevant heatshield & bolts next time I'm at my local garage, got an EML to contend with first (grr!).
Thread Starter
15000
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 36
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From: Surrey
Found a few in the cat, car performs much better now the blockage is gone 
In all seriousness, I noticed something under there just now -- further along by the engine, there's a downpipe leading towards the cat which seemingly should be anchored to something ... it isn't. Does anyone have a pic of what that bit looks like on their car so I know what the cocking hell is missing?
In all seriousness, I noticed something under there just now -- further along by the engine, there's a downpipe leading towards the cat which seemingly should be anchored to something ... it isn't. Does anyone have a pic of what that bit looks like on their car so I know what the cocking hell is missing?
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