Hi,

Hear this noise coming from rear or underneath, checked springs, nothing.

Especially over humps. Not every time either.

Any ideas?

Thanks

DynamicPanda said:

Hi,

Hear this noise coming from rear or underneath, checked springs, nothing.

Especially over humps. Not every time either.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Start by ruling out the obvious - loose items in the boot or the rear seat(s) not latched down properly. Lift the carpet & check nothing has fallen into the spare wheel well - & while you're down there, check the spare wheel & tool carrier haven't come loose either.

Failing all that, jack it up, support it properly, & check all the rear suspension components for free play/wear - & make sure the shock absorber casings aren't loose & rattling. Also check the exhaust & its mountings.

Sometimes just wiggling the end of the exhaust around can reproduce the problem.

My experience with rattling noises in my MJ Panda (apart from the engine ) :

1. The rear seat upright is not latched shut properly.
2. Exhaust system support rubbers no good.
3. Seatbelt buckle bangs against trim (I fasten them even when unused now)
4. Front rattle was both anti-roll bar uprights kaput. (Cheap fix)

Check one of the hand brake cables hasn't broken free of a support too. Like the previous said, so many things can cause a rattle. Get someone to sit in the back and see if you can both pin point where the noise is coming from. If it goes with them in the back, probably a loose seat catch or seat belt retainer but could be anything.

Bump stops rattling? They look like rubber cones fitted in the body, inside the rear springs at the top.

Also, if it's more of a double knocking over the bumps, look at the rear shock bushes at the top mounts, these are known to fall apart.
Get someone to bounce the back end, open the boot use the sill, while you watch the top shock mounts, you may see the rings on the end move up and down, when they should be held firm.

Thanks everyone,

Rear seat is in place, isn't seat belts, isn't exhaust, sound seems to come from drivers side rear.

Bumps are the only time the noise is heard, and not even at every bump.

Funny thing is mate 18stone in weight sat at the back and no noise was heard throughout the journey...

I'll try all of what you guys have mentioned that I haven't done already, you know I hate the car but love when I take it out for a spin...

Well if your happy paying for more fuel leave your mate in! Seriously though, sounds like a definate suspension problem on that corner. A good look round is required, compare one side to the other if your not sure if things are in the right place or not. Could be mounts, shock, brake, rear axle but so many things can make a noise over bumps.

Also check the rear bumper hasn't come loose! Had that on a Maestro (the car with a sofa for seats) years ago. Took ages to realise what it was...found out when it fell off on the A1!

tommo1 said:

My experience with rattling noises in my MJ Panda (apart from the engine ) :

1. The rear seat upright is not latched shut properly.
2. Exhaust system support rubbers no good.
3. Seatbelt buckle bangs against trim (I fasten them even when unused now)
4. Front rattle was both anti-roll bar uprights kaput. (Cheap fix)

Click to expand...

We have a winner!!

Tommo sir, number 4 was the correct diagnosis. Nice one, £12.30, did both and noise has gone.

Thanks

Glad I was of help. Now wait for the next noise.

Replacing my drop links seemed to move component stress to another part of the suspension. Within weeks, the bushes in the front lower suspension arms were on the way out, although it was more of a 'clonking' than a rattling noise this time, most obviously under braking or when pulling away.