This Rattle is Driving Me Crazy

aj90 · 09-17-2017, 08:22 PM

I have spent the past four hours going through threads about rattles and I have not been able to figure out what is going on.

I have this annoying rattle that is only audible between 1k-3k rpm when accelerating or letting off the peddle for a second. If I hold the rpms around 2.1k, the car rattles like crazy!! You have no idea how embarrassing it is driving around LA with this annoying rattle echoing off of the buildings! (Not really that bad but it is super embarrassing!) No rattle above 50 mph and no rattle when idling or in park. I was under the car earlier today checking on the heat shields but I couldn't find anything.

When the car does rattle, it's consistent, like a ting ting ting, metallic I would say. I feel like it is coming from the rear passenger side area, but who knows at this point. I can try to get a video if that's helpful.

Please let me know if anyone has had a problem similar to this!!

leebermeister · 09-18-2017, 01:05 PM

Hey. I'm chasing down an annoying rattle type sound as well on my 06' 330i. . Starts a little north of 1,000 rpm under load, then stops after rpms settles back to idle. More noticeable in 2nd gear. I'm suspecting a worn alternator clutch pulley, but not sure enough to throw $$$ at it. There's no performance degredation or drivability issues, just an annoying/embarrassing sound. I avoid driving in my parking garage in 2nd gear. Haha. Keep us updated on your search.

frenchi · 09-18-2017, 02:01 PM

I am in the same boat.....already more then an year that i am chasing the same rattle on low rpms,like a gear mesh gringing for a few seconds between 1000-2000 rpms. I got a feeling that it's something to do with rear diff or cv joints.

aj90 · 09-18-2017, 05:05 PM

This is what the rattle/knocking sounds like. Hopefully its not the diff or suspension parts. To me, it sounds like something is loose or hitting against something.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdky...ature=youtu.be

For some reason, the second clip rotated to portrait mode.

3002 tii · 10-29-2017, 11:41 AM

It sounds like loose exhaust heat shield rattling

E86Z · 10-29-2017, 12:31 PM

^this or a hanger got loose. I'd check the middle bracket. It tends to rust out and fall apart.

If you can't get on a lift, try grabbing your exhaust and shaking it up and down or side to side and different rates to replicate the sound.

09-17-2017, 08:22 PM	#1
aj90 Budget Builder 37 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 08' 335i, 17' 330i, 18' 440i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Placentia, CA iTrader: (3)	This Rattle is Driving Me Crazy I have spent the past four hours going through threads about rattles and I have not been able to figure out what is going on. I have this annoying rattle that is only audible between 1k-3k rpm when accelerating or letting off the peddle for a second. If I hold the rpms around 2.1k, the car rattles like crazy!! You have no idea how embarrassing it is driving around LA with this annoying rattle echoing off of the buildings! (Not really that bad but it is super embarrassing!) No rattle above 50 mph and no rattle when idling or in park. I was under the car earlier today checking on the heat shields but I couldn't find anything. When the car does rattle, it's consistent, like a ting ting ting, metallic I would say. I feel like it is coming from the rear passenger side area, but who knows at this point. I can try to get a video if that's helpful. Please let me know if anyone has had a problem similar to this!!
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09-18-2017, 01:05 PM	#2
leebermeister Enlisted Member 1 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Hey. I'm chasing down an annoying rattle type sound as well on my 06' 330i. . Starts a little north of 1,000 rpm under load, then stops after rpms settles back to idle. More noticeable in 2nd gear. I'm suspecting a worn alternator clutch pulley, but not sure enough to throw $$$ at it. There's no performance degredation or drivability issues, just an annoying/embarrassing sound. I avoid driving in my parking garage in 2nd gear. Haha. Keep us updated on your search.
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09-18-2017, 02:01 PM	#3
frenchi Lieutenant 89 Rep 452 Posts Drives: F30 340i M Performance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: France iTrader: (11)	I am in the same boat.....already more then an year that i am chasing the same rattle on low rpms,like a gear mesh gringing for a few seconds between 1000-2000 rpms. I got a feeling that it's something to do with rear diff or cv joints.
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09-18-2017, 05:05 PM	#4
aj90 Budget Builder 37 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 08' 335i, 17' 330i, 18' 440i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Placentia, CA iTrader: (3)	This is what the rattle/knocking sounds like. Hopefully its not the diff or suspension parts. To me, it sounds like something is loose or hitting against something. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdky...ature=youtu.be For some reason, the second clip rotated to portrait mode.
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10-29-2017, 11:41 AM	#5
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2285 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	It sounds like loose exhaust heat shield rattling __________________ Follow for latest mods
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10-29-2017, 12:31 PM	#6
E86Z First Lieutenant 64 Rep 313 Posts Drives: 3.0si Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	^this or a hanger got loose. I'd check the middle bracket. It tends to rust out and fall apart. If you can't get on a lift, try grabbing your exhaust and shaking it up and down or side to side and different rates to replicate the sound.
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