S40 (New) Body : Rattling sound when driving (outside)

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by Welton

That's IF this is what the problem is!

Alright thanks. It probably won't be until Friday that I'm able to check this due to work and daylight :P

[StatusRed]

I took some pictures last night anyway and just got muddy Couldn't see very well but relied on my phone's flash. I don't think anything seems particularly wrong but I'll post the picture tonight for better trained eyes to take a wee look

I also pushed down on each corner of the car to see if it was bouncy and it's not, so I think the shock absorbers / struts are fine. Also checked the exhaust heatshield and it seems firmly in place :S

I got my girlfriend to listen with the window open when I was driving last night and she's not 100% sure either but thinks the sound is coming from the back of the car.

Is it of any interest that I sometimes hear some noises from the boot / rear when driving and also sometimes when I get out of the car with the handbrake (and in gear) the car creaks quite a bit or is this all normal?

Cheers.

[StatusRed]

Alright here are some pictures.. Anything look suspicious?







(there's some more pictures on the album if you click through)

[Model flyer]

The spring can snap on the front springs also and go unnoticed in an mot. As you say you cant hear it when the window is closed its probably something thats insulated from the car by the suspension .Loose brake pads can also make irritating rattle if the spring plates have been left out when the pads were changed., worth a look . Try driving with the window open on uneven road and listen if the noise stops when you apply the brakes lightly. does your car have alloys or steel wheels ? If steel wheels do you have wheel covers ? these can rattle and only be heard from outside the car.

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by Model flyer

The spring can snap on the front springs also and go unnoticed in an mot. As you say you cant hear it when the window is closed its probably something thats insulated from the car by the suspension .Loose brake pads can also make irritating rattle if the spring plates have been left out when the pads were changed., worth a look . Try driving with the window open on uneven road and listen if the noise stops when you apply the brakes lightly. does your car have alloys or steel wheels ? If steel wheels do you have wheel covers ? these can rattle and only be heard from outside the car.

Hmm.. The last service did mention changing the front brake pads / discs at the next service - I'll try applying the brakes on an uneven road to see if it helps

And they're alloys.

Thank you!

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by Model flyer

The spring can snap on the front springs also and go unnoticed in an mot. As you say you cant hear it when the window is closed its probably something thats insulated from the car by the suspension .Loose brake pads can also make irritating rattle if the spring plates have been left out when the pads were changed., worth a look . Try driving with the window open on uneven road and listen if the noise stops when you apply the brakes lightly. does your car have alloys or steel wheels ? If steel wheels do you have wheel covers ? these can rattle and only be heard from outside the car.

I tried this last night... the sound definitely goes away when I apply the brakes - I kept testing it repeatedly to make sure it wasn't just the sound going anyway at that point and just a conincidence! Very interesting... Am I able to confirm the brake pads are loose visually? Thank you!

[iainmd]

If the rattle stops while applying brake pressure I'd lay money on your rear brake pads being the culprit. I used EBC rear pads some time ago and they had neither the early retaining spring on the inner pad or the anti-rattle pad on the back of the pad. They were also clearly a mm or so too small.

Replace your rear pads with Volvo OEM pads and I suspect your rattle will disappear.

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by iainmd

If the rattle stops while applying brake pressure I'd lay money on your rear brake pads being the culprit. I used EBC rear pads some time ago and they had neither the early retaining spring on the inner pad or the anti-rattle pad on the back of the pad. They were also clearly a mm or so too small.

Replace your rear pads with Volvo OEM pads and I suspect your rattle will disappear.

Are you sure it will be the rear ones? The reason I ask is because when I first bought the car as part of the deal the dealer put it through an MoT, it failed on the rear brake pads so they were replaced. So those rear brake pads should only be 4 few months old :S

[IainG]

Hi
Try the handbrake instead and that should see if it is the back ones
Iain

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by IainG

Hi
Try the handbrake instead and that should see if it is the back ones
Iain

Is that because the handbrake will engage the rear brakes but not the front brakes?

Thanks.