Leon Rattle. Any Ideas

[Splitpin73]

Hi everyone, I've just registered on here, having recently treated myself to a Leon FR.

I love the car, not only do I think they're great looking but they're a nice drive too and I fancied something different to a Focus/Astra/Golf but didn't fancy something Italian/French and unreliable.

The only thing that's letting the side down unfortunately is that it has an annoying rattle over bumps. It's not a knocking noise as you go over the bump but rather a succession of quick rattles after you've gone over the bump. It's difficult to explain It's a bit like if you've ever hung a plastic ruler half over the edge of a desk and then twanged it!(Never did concentrate at school!)

I don't think it's anything on the suspension as I've had it up on a ramp and it all looks and feels ok, it sounds like it's either behind the dash or in the engine bay and hitting the bulkhead. A bit like a pipe or loom not clipped in properly....

I know it's difficult to say without hearing it but I thought I'd just ask in case it's something you guys have come across previously, before I start taking stuff off etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Willie]

Sounds like the front ARB is loose in its mounts.
Try a crow bar behind this to see if there is any movement. These have been prone to the covering on the bar cracking and leaving play between this and the rubber mounts.
Friend has this on his LCR, also get's it when on full lock

 

[Splitpin73]

Thanks for replying Willie.

I'll check that again but I'm sure I have already and they were fine. Also it sounds a bit higher up than that but I guess the sound could travel?

I know what you mean about the plastic covering cracking off the ARB. A friend of mine had that on his Octavia VRS and we changed it. A little bit of a pig to get out if I remember.......

 

[Husbandofstinky]

A friend of mine suspension coil snapped right at the bottom of the spring. Every time it went over a bump it rattled on the strut plate.

Two garages looked (incl main dealer) and couldn't find anythig wrong. I found it in a few minutes, stuck ky hand over the wheel to the strut plate, felt a piece of loose coil and pulled it out.

It made no difference to how it sat/handled nor did he hear it go when it obviously went.

You wouldn't of seen this up on a ramp.