Now that the weather's improved and I'm driving round with the front window(s) down, I've noticed a metallic rattle when driving over poor road surfaces at low speeds.

It sounds quite tinny, rather than clunky - possibly a loose heat shield (I've seen this mentioned a few times on SN)? It seems to be coming from the front end of the car so I don't think it's the exhaust as I've only changed the bb and centre pipe.

I've looked under the car and can't see anything hanging down

 

Had the same problem on my old classic turned out to be a heat sheild underneath, water had rusted the bolts and it had come loose. I just ripped it off

 

I've got that noise as well! Thought it was the centre section/backbox hitting the real diff box as it's very very close!

It's getting worse, and it does sound like a heat shield or something!

Were there any common problems on the classic with regards to shields etc...?

 

Problem is mines a bugeye

The rattle sounds too tinny to be the exhaust, as if it's a thin piece of metal rather than thick piece of stainless steel.....not sure though.

 

Turbo heat shield perhaps ?

 

DEFO HEAT SHIELD III WOULD SAY, HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY WERE ALL RIPPED OFF WHEN NEW UP-PIPE FITTED AT THE CLINIC

 

I also seem to have a similar problem. From stand still if I start gently I hear a small metallic rattle from somewhere in the front, this happens just when I released the clutch and started to accelerate, more precisely when it bites then I hear the sound. While driving normally, I also hear it when after changing gears from 2nd to 3rd, or 3rd to 2nd. I also have a bugeye

 

My eibach springs rattle slightly and its not a clunky noise.

Hakon

 

I have the same annoying rattle on my car which is a classic and it is definetly the heat shield.

I took it 2 a garage and he tried to tell me it was the cat that was breaking down inside and I would need to replace it.

Not convinced with his verdict I took the car to Pennine Subaru in Hebden Bridge and he pointed out straight away that it was a cracked heat shield.

It's in for full service on 20/05/06 so he is either going to fix the problem or remove the heat shield.

I can't wait to be rid of that rattling, tin sound. Makes my car sound like it's about to breakdown.

 

I agree Iwanascooby - it sounds like I'm driving a clapped out escort though my street (where oddly enough, it does it more than anywhere else due to being at low speed and poor road surface ).

I have decat up and down pipes to go on sometime soon, so hopefully it'll be resolved then.

p.s. I also have Eibach's that creak at the back but they're definately more clunky than rattly, IMO.

 

It's annoying when you start to put your foot down and clutch it that you get the nice rumble and burble of the engine and the damned annoying clank, clank inbetween.

I have had the windows down tonight driving home and had to turn the music up because the clank, clank, clank is so annoying.

Can't wait for the problem to get fixed. lol

 

I'd be interesed to hear if it is definately the heat shield on your car?

 

it could be brake pads.....if they are worn and the seal around the brake cylinder thingys has come away then they will rattle around all the time...

 

Ive got a really annouying rattle/squeking when the car gets hot after a drive, even a short 1.
Thought it was bushes or something but when i moved the exhaust around the sqweaking was really bad.
Dead embarrasing when your dring through a village after a blast and the car sounds like a right bag of spanners!

can any one help?

 

If it was the pads I would have thought they kind of grind where they have a small sensor to tell you they are low,
The exhaust will most likely be loose might just need to tighten it, or open it new gasket or exhaust paste, but pretty sure it needs tightening at the points,
T2T you have pm regarding noise..