Chasing a rattle

[B1Toad]

Ever since the big adventure at Redington Pass a couple of weeks ago I've been fixing loose ends-literally. Yesterday I replaced the front sway bar links with QDs, today I replaced the rear links and bar bushings however I have this one loud rattle/squeak/screech that sounds like it is coming from the upper left dash area or cowl. It happens when the left front tire hits a bump. I pulled the knee cover and reached around up there and can't find anything loose, I pulled the defrost vent but not much to see there. I crawled underneath and checked shocks and springs. Control arm bushings look OK but that's just a visual, and it really sounds like it's higher up anyway.

I'm running out of ideas so I came here for more.

 

[AndyG]

You’ve got me scratching my head- I have seen the gauge cluster make noise where it is mounted to the dash but it wasn’t anything extremely loud just irritating.


Keep us posted for sure and if you can post a video sometimes that can help.

I’m going to throw my guess out there as something suspension related,like a control arm bushing or shock.

 

[macleanflood]

Maybe start spraying down bushings one at a time with WD-40 and see if you can isolate it.

-Mac

 

[LJBean]

Maybe check the top shock mount (if you haven't already).

 

[Rickyd]

You can't tell if it's inside the cab or not?

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

Probably a Beer bottle top in your vent!

 

[B1Toad]

You can't tell if it's inside the cab or not?

Pretty sure it is but when chasing noises and rattles I've been fooled before, and the cowl area is right there. Wipers are tight and work OK.
I'll try some of the suggestions over the next few days. We have no shortage of potholed test roads here.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

No Hi-Lift mounted on the radiator support rods inside the engine compartment right?

 

[B1Toad]

No Hi-Lift mounted on the radiator support rods inside the engine compartment right?

Nope

 

[bmcgc]

Rattle in a Jeep?

Now I have heard it all!

 

[B1Toad]

Rattle in a Jeep?

Now I have heard it all!

 

[Apparition]

 

[AndyG]

I consider jeep noises on board diagnostics.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

I had a rattle I couldn't figure out for a long time until I removed the cowl. Then I remembered working on it and where I left my rat tail file. The weird part about it was the rattle didn't show up for a long time after I worked on it. The file must've been wedged somewhere and then bounced loose at some point later.

 

[AndyG]

I had a rattle I couldn't figure out for a long time until I removed the cowl. Then I remembered working on it and where I left my rat tail file. The weird part about it was the rattle didn't show up for a long time after I worked on it. The file must've been wedged somewhere and then bounced loose at some point later.

I remember one time somebody summarized all the jeep noises that they could find - it was just an amazing list

Mac was right and I really appreciated him actually posting something helpful to the op- WD-40 can really be handy

I cannot tell you the time that I’ve spent chasing noises and ultimately I felt like I had a better jeep when I fixed it.

Until the next one popped up

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

I remember one time somebody summarized all the jeep noises that they could find - it was just an amazing list

Mac was right and I really appreciated him actually posting something helpful to the op- WD-40 can really be handy

I cannot tell you the time that I’ve spent chasing noises and ultimately I felt like I had a better jeep when I fixed it.

Until the next one popped up

That always happens. Once I clear one rattle or noise, another one pops up. Never ending routine.

 

[AndyG]

That always happens. Once I clear one rattle or noise, another one pops up. Never ending routine.

Sometimes when you get them quieter you hear things that you couldn’t hear before also-

But realistically it really usually helps you when you chase them down- Most of the time there will be some mechanical reason that needs to be better anyway.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

At least on a TJ you have good chance of finding it. I have a deep rattle in the front of my 2013 Genesis and I won't even consider trying to find it. I verified it's not the bushings on the front A-arms and that's as much as I can get to.

 

[B1Toad]

Can I start and drive it with the cluster removed or will it mess with the ECM? (I don't have SKIM)

 

[Rickyd]

I had a rattle apon hitting bumps from the hood touching the fenders.the rubber fender bumpers were smashed and letting it contact. My hood latch has worn its stop and makes a squeak on bumps now. Might be worth checking body panels?