Mystery muffled clanging noise

sirwilliam · 10-08-2008, 05:53 AM

Well, this noise made its first guest appearance this past weekend.

It seemed to originate from the rear passenger side in the cargo area but hard to pinpoint its location due to acoustics in the rear and it only materializes when I am driving at moderate speed. I then began my tedious-super-awesome brainstorming to try to deductively weed out the culprit...and I am also pretty sensitive to different acoustic sounds so I narrowed it down to somehow emanating from the retractable rear cargo cover. I was thinking maybe my overstuffed suitcase which, even on its side, at times would push up the cover from its forward mounts was responsible for possibly bending the clips so that it wasn't a tight enough fit causing rattle. I finally took the time to go outside this morning at work and try to see if I could fix it. After moving some misc. crap around in the back, I found something that resembled the noise.

^^^Culprit (I believe) was my son's Stuff n' Scuff rear seat protector w/ pocket laying sideways and banging the cargo cover beam. The protector attached perfectly with my stock seats but after installing the STi front seats, it needs to be modified to be attached...so I got lazy and threw it in the back.

Hopefully, that is the problem and it is now fixed.

I will verify later today. I just can't stand abnormal noises with my car. Drives me up the wall

Anyways, just thought I would share.

sea-scooby · 10-08-2008, 07:10 AM

Glad to see your problem was solved!

I hate it when you get an annoying noise and can not figure out where it is coming from. I thought for the longest time my clutch was squeeking real loud and the dealer replaced the spring 3 times, but it turned out to be a spring in the seat. A quick spray with lubricant and all was quiet again.

sirwilliam · 10-08-2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sea-scooby

Glad to see your problem was solved!

I hate it when you get an annoying noise and can not figure out where it is coming from. I thought for the longest time my clutch was squeeking real loud and the dealer replaced the spring 3 times, but it turned out to be a spring in the seat. A quick spray with lubricant and all was quiet again.

Yeah, I had that same squeek on my '04 but couldn't fix it...will have to take a mental note to remember to check seat this time.

I loathe squeeks and rattles.

stan_t · 10-08-2008, 10:04 AM

Around the time of strut/springs swap my car developed a clacking sound coming from the back. I suspected the struts, but refused to believe it. Funky thing was it would go away completely sometimes.. then, come back.

Ended up being the left rear seat latch. I drive around with the rear seats down alot because the dog rides back there -- so, of course, no clacking. When I'd put the seats back up -- clacking starts again. At least it's not my suspension

Stan

sirwilliam · 10-08-2008, 10:56 AM

Well, tested out during lunch...not the cargo cover...I don't think. I put my backup fleece blanket under my cleaning supplies that are wrapped up in a plastic grocery bag and hanging from my driver-side retractable grocery hook and also reposition the jumper cables that are sitting inside my spare's rim. After a drive everything was fine...then I removed the blanket and the noise was back

Have to double check the bag again...but if that is it, the supply bag will be removed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stan_t

At least it's not my suspension

Bright side looker, you!

Yeah, suspension is not cheap...did you fix/resolve the problem?

stan_t · 10-08-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirwilliam

Bright side looker, you!

Yeah, suspension is not cheap...did you fix/resolve the problem?

The problem is definitely in the left rear seat backrest release/latch mechanism. It will clunk when the backrest is up and latched in. I just unlatch the left back seat backrest and leave it in the upright position, then there's no clunk. I am not sure if I want to take the car to the dealership with this problem since my car is modified.

Drive around with the back seats folded down, see if the noise goes away -- mine does.

Stan

SubaruPartsGirl · 10-08-2008, 01:45 PM

Haha I know what you mean! If I hear a strange noise I am on a mission to seek and destroy! I don't listen to the radio very much so any little noise will drive me crazy. Hopefully you got it sorted out.

The Black Box · 10-08-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stan_t

The problem is definitely in the left rear seat backrest release/latch mechanism. It will clunk when the backrest is up and latched in.

There's really no way to adjust the striker so I just put a few winds of tape around the striker and problem fixed.

dbaldock9 · 10-08-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Box

There's really no way to adjust the striker so I just put a few winds of tape around the striker and problem fixed.

Or a stick-on rubber pad near the latch, to provide tension when the seat is in the latched position.

Take Care,
David Baldock

stan_t · 10-08-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Box

There's really no way to adjust the striker so I just put a few winds of tape around the striker and problem fixed.

Sweet, that's exactly what I was going to do. Glad I'm not the only one with this problem.

[/thread hijack]

Stan

2point5awd · 10-09-2008, 10:16 AM

hum... i may have to try that. I hear something similar as well as other sounds (that let me know its a Subaru :)

I found out that mine was making noises from the back hatch where the plastic piece hits the metal of the hatch (on the inside, below the wiper). I put some puffy tape and it helped.

sirwilliam · 10-09-2008, 10:47 AM

Well, crappola!

I think it really is the cargo cover beam/bar that is rattling. There is still some stuff I can still do to test some theories...will have to bust a sherlock holmes on my car. The noise is driving me batty!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2point5awd

hum... i may have to try that. I hear something similar as well as other sounds (that let me know its a Subaru :)

I found out that mine was making noises from the back hatch where the plastic piece hits the metal of the hatch (on the inside, below the wiper). I put some puffy tape and it helped.

I will have to check that.

dbaldock9 · 10-09-2008, 10:58 AM

On my previous 1998 Impreza Wagon, I put several rows of adhesive backed rubber weather stripping on the "bottom" of the lift-gate, to provide upward tension against the latching mechanism. That stopped it from making random rattles.

Take Care,
David Baldock

10-08-2008, 05:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
sirwilliam BLUE WASABI (#2 Info Provider) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Wild Serengeti Suburbs of NoVa Posts: 8,100 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 15 / 100%	Mystery muffled clanging noise Well, this noise made its first guest appearance this past weekend. It seemed to originate from the rear passenger side in the cargo area but hard to pinpoint its location due to acoustics in the rear and it only materializes when I am driving at moderate speed. I then began my tedious-super-awesome brainstorming to try to deductively weed out the culprit...and I am also pretty sensitive to different acoustic sounds so I narrowed it down to somehow emanating from the retractable rear cargo cover. I was thinking maybe my overstuffed suitcase which, even on its side, at times would push up the cover from its forward mounts was responsible for possibly bending the clips so that it wasn't a tight enough fit causing rattle. I finally took the time to go outside this morning at work and try to see if I could fix it. After moving some misc. crap around in the back, I found something that resembled the noise. ^^^Culprit (I believe) was my son's Stuff n' Scuff rear seat protector w/ pocket laying sideways and banging the cargo cover beam. The protector attached perfectly with my stock seats but after installing the STi front seats, it needs to be modified to be attached...so I got lazy and threw it in the back. Hopefully, that is the problem and it is now fixed. I will verify later today. I just can't stand abnormal noises with my car. Drives me up the wall Anyways, just thought I would share. __________________ BLUE WASABI Last edited by sirwilliam : 10-08-2008 at 06:22 AM.

10-08-2008, 07:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
sea-scooby The Sub kit guy Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Renton, Wa Posts: 7,693 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 41 / 100%	Glad to see your problem was solved! I hate it when you get an annoying noise and can not figure out where it is coming from. I thought for the longest time my clutch was squeeking real loud and the dealer replaced the spring 3 times, but it turned out to be a spring in the seat. A quick spray with lubricant and all was quiet again. __________________ 05 Forester XTi Premium M/T (PRE tuned VF39)(his) 05 Forester X A/T (hers) My Journal page

10-08-2008, 10:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
stan_t Enjoyn the ride Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 879 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 2 / 100%	Around the time of strut/springs swap my car developed a clacking sound coming from the back. I suspected the struts, but refused to believe it. Funky thing was it would go away completely sometimes.. then, come back. Ended up being the left rear seat latch. I drive around with the rear seats down alot because the dog rides back there -- so, of course, no clacking. When I'd put the seats back up -- clacking starts again. At least it's not my suspension Stan __________________ '07 XT 5MT, VF43 tuned by FLI handling > power > looks

10-08-2008, 01:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
SubaruPartsGirl Supporting Vendor Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 385 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 6 / 100%	Haha I know what you mean! If I hear a strange noise I am on a mission to seek and destroy! I don't listen to the radio very much so any little noise will drive me crazy. Hopefully you got it sorted out. __________________ Annapolis Subaru Toll Free: 866-509-3019

10-09-2008, 10:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
dbaldock9 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 263 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	On my previous 1998 Impreza Wagon, I put several rows of adhesive backed rubber weather stripping on the "bottom" of the lift-gate, to provide upward tension against the latching mechanism. That stopped it from making random rattles. Take Care, David Baldock __________________ 2007 Crystal Gray Forester 2.5X 4EAT

10-09-2008, 10:16 AM	#11 (permalink)
2point5awd Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 371 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 2 / 100%	hum... i may have to try that. I hear something similar as well as other sounds (that let me know its a Subaru :) I found out that mine was making noises from the back hatch where the plastic piece hits the metal of the hatch (on the inside, below the wiper). I put some puffy tape and it helped.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode