Mystery rattle / can a shock rattle?

[reggit]

Just had car in for MOT and asked them to check all the ball joints carefully as I’ve a couple to knocks underneath (guess that’s part of the test in any case?).
They reported all ball joints good, but a rear heat shield had broken loose, which they’ve fixed.

He thinks it could be a front shock as they can knock, but will need to dismantle the strut to be sure. My question, is this likely when the damping is fine and there’s no leaks? It’s conventional suspension on an r-design, not sure if it’s different to the other variants.

I’ve stripped P2 struts before, guessing the P3 is a similar setup (not looked)

Car passed with no advisories (or whatever they’re called these days).

It’s a 2010 V70 with 175,000 miles.

[tommyweaves]

Isn't it more likely to be something inside that cat that's rattling rather than something outside?

[reggit]

It sounds underneath at the front. Thought it was a ball joint as that’s what it sounds like, but evidently not.

[tommyweaves]

Can you describe what you hear, when (driving? stand-still? certain speeds etc.)

Can you hear it when in the car and when out of the car?

Windows open/closed?

Constant rattle or intemittent?

[reggit]

Fairly deep clonking noise on undulating (and worse) roads, sounds to be at the front and at any speed. It’s continuous in respect that is does it on every journey, but not all the time as it’s quiet on smooth roads.

Not tried windows open/closed yet.

Can’t replicate it by bouncing the car.

[Simmy]

check sway bar links if faulty cheap easy fix

[tommyweaves]

Strut mounts?

[reggit]

Started wondering about strut mounts myself last night, had them fail on my old P2. It’s not as severe a knock though.

Will probably overhaul the struts over summer if I can’t get to the bottom of it without, and the garage couldn’t find the source.

Doesn’t sound like ARB drop links.

[Moomoo]

Loose brake pad. Happened to me .

[monkeh]

Shocks can rattle in the strut, I've had it in a 760. But more often than not, it is top mounts.
But in my case, I could make the fault happen quite easily by bouncing the car. I'd found that the shock had rusted slightly at the bottom. and its recomissioning from standing had loosened everything up.