Rattle Wizard With Xray Eyes Needed

Richouser · Post by **Richouser** » 25 Nov 2018, 10:01

We have a 2003 V40 Wagon in pampered condition, 103K miles. Suddenly, and about 3 months ago, it developed a loud rattle that seems to be coming from behind the metal glove compartment shroud. It sounds like a suspended hard surface like a plastic wire connector vibrating and hitting against a metal surface. It modulates with the front wheel suspension as the normal vibrations travel through the car chassis. With normal driving it will just roll on for awhile, but give a harsh crack with a hard bump.

I have removed everything I can, kick panels, speaker cover, blower motor, radio, a/c controls etc. to try to find it without removing the dash facia itself. The glove shroud is riveted to the facia, to protect the airbag I assume. Removing the facia seems a bit over my head. Plus, if I do that, I won't be able to drive the vehicle to locate the rattle anyway.

Has anyone had one of these apart and could intuit what this might be, and if there is a way to access it without removing the dash facia? It is driving us nuts!

Thanks.

Post by **alschnertz** » 25 Nov 2018, 13:07

Are you sure it's not the sway bar end links?
Especially the one on the right side? That's just behind the glove box - though on the other side of the firewall.

Richouser · Post by **Richouser** » 25 Nov 2018, 14:44

Thanks. I'm assuming anything is possible. However, I have had the right wheel off and closely inspected the whole suspension without finding anything. This sounds like it is inside the car at the area higher up where the glove box door meets the dash and just behind the metal shroud. However I have taken out everything that would allow me to get my hand back there and probe around and cannot locate it. It is something really loose and sort of bouncing around within a small area. I'm hoping it doesn't have anything to do with the passenger air bag system.

Richouser · Post by **Richouser** » 04 Dec 2018, 09:17

Alschnertz, just so you know I took your advice seriously, I changed out the sway bar links - no change in the rattle. Any other rabbets in the hat?

Richouser · Post by **Richouser** » 21 Dec 2018, 14:19

Many thanks for all the input. It was any or all of the following: a bad strut bearing, strut, sway bar bushing, sway bar link. We replaced them all, both sides. $1300 usd later no more rattle.
At least it wasn't the airbag...