Need help identifying front end rattle.

[SpookyMulder]

Alright let's begin the guessing game of "What's that noise?". about two weeks ago I started hearing this light metal rattle that almost sounded like a cymbal or high hat whenever I'd hit a large bump in the road. It is coming from the front drivers side but I can't seem to find from where since most of the visible suspension seems fine. At this point whenever I'm on a poorly maintained road it rattles like crazy. For the most part it is fine in the city and doesn't act up when I'm going at high speeds however I drive a lot on rough roads so I'd like to isolate the problem before it's too late.
Here is a video with the sound I'm talking about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHGAxP3bJGs
Has anyone dealt with a rattle similar to this?

 

[Majindan]

Alright let's begin the guessing game of "What's that noise?". about two weeks ago I started hearing this light metal rattle that almost sounded like a cymbal or high hat whenever I'd hit a large bump in the road. It is coming from the front drivers side but I can't seem to find from where since most of the visible suspension seems fine. At this point whenever I'm on a poorly maintained road it rattles like crazy. For the most part it is fine in the city and doesn't act up when I'm going at high speeds however I drive a lot on rough roads so I'd like to isolate the problem before it's too late.
Here is a video with the sound I'm talking about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHGAxP3bJGs
Has anyone dealt with a rattle similar to this?

Like a random series of squeaks, two pieces of metal rubbing or crickets with broken legs at dusk? Yeah man, mine does that but not all the time. I've yet to replace my bushings and on OEM suspension still but suspect it's a bushing issue. Hit your bushing with a shot of silicone before you leave next time and see if it makes that noise.

 

[SpookyMulder]

Like a random series of squeaks, two pieces of metal rubbing or crickets with broken legs at dusk? Yeah man, mine does that but not all the time. I've yet to replace my bushings and on OEM suspension still but suspect it's a bushing issue. Hit your bushing with a shot of silicone before you leave next time and see if it makes that noise.

If you watch the video at 18 seconds in you can hear it really well. Honestly the best way to describe it is someone shaking a tambourine under my car. I'm in need of new bushings for my steering rack which I will be replacing soon but I don't know how that would make a sound like that.

 

[thegipper]

I had a very similar noise on my grand prix many years ago. I had recently replaced the wheel hub/bearing before the noise showed up.

It ended up being a faulty bearing race cover that came off the new wheel hub I just installed a couple weeks ago.

Now I'm not saying that is your problem but what I am saying is, it may not be suspension or steering related. It may just be something (exhaust, bearing, heat shield etc) else rattling around when you hit a bump.

You can try taking a mallet and start banging on stuff to see if you can get the rattle to come back while inspecting it. Sometimes these phantom rattles are very hard to find.

 

[99Runnr]

I'm going to guess due to the rubbing and clanging nature of that either front driveshaft, CV axle and wheel bearings related. Check wheel for play, CV axle for major play at the differential.

Possibly worn U-joints causing driveshaft to bounce around thus creating your music.

 

[99Runnr]

Also since it occurs under suspension load check the upper and lower strut assembly. Bad bushings letting the strut bounce around in the top plate, bad lower bushing letting it bounce off the lower flanges on the control arm.

 

[SpookyMulder]

Also since it occurs under suspension load check the upper and lower strut assembly. Bad bushings letting the strut bounce around in the top plate, bad lower bushing letting it bounce off the lower flanges on the control arm.

Alright thanks I'll have to check all of this out in the morning. This might be a novice question but will I need to have my rig lifted to check for play?

 

[diverscale]

brake disk shield?

 

[99Runnr]

Alright thanks I'll have to check all of this out in the morning. This might be a novice question but will I need to have my rig lifted to check for play?

Yes. You check front wheel bearings by lifting the truck up in the air with suspension unloaded, grab the top and bottom of the tire and wiggle. If you feel any movement, the wheel bearing has play.

 

[SpookyMulder]

Alright I finally lifted the runner and found the source before heading out to work today. (I haven't messed with front brakes at all so forgive for not knowing what it is called). But i found out it was this metal tab thing that is loose and flopping around on the lower end, I think it has something to do with the anti rattle spring? Anyways it seems pretty simple and I'm glad it isnt going to cost an arm and a leg to fix. I'm at work so I can't really look into it but does anyone know what I need to do to get it secured again?