WARNING: Long post.

Ok, i'm sick of the bloody intermittant rattle in my car. It's been there for a month or so now and is absolutely driving me insane. I'll try to explain it the best I can... It's a "rattle/popping/bobbing" sorta noise... if you get me... it used to happen when I went over bumps (read further down for explanation) now it happens inconsistantly usually when going over bumps, but it doesn't do it going over speed bumps, and changes from left to right (always from the rear) and sometimes sounds like the middle.

So, originally I thought it might be a loose brake caliper, so I take it to my local brake service center. They say "yeah mate, the caliper's a bit loose and your rear sway bar needed greasing too" I think "beaut" They charge me $50, the guy who hands me keys says "she's right now mate, I took her for a drive meself and there's no noise at all" I hop in the car, drive it 2 meters and hear the noise straight away. I took it back to them and took the guy for a drive in it and he says "that's your rear strut mate"

So, with this new information I take the car straight to Garry Crick (dealer I bought the car from) inform him of what i've been told and ask if it's covered under my warranty. No prizes for guessing here. So regardless, I take the Garry Crick mechanic for a drive and he tells me it's the rear strut aswell. I booked it to go in for them to have a proper look, guy calls me up after a couple hours and says "your rear strut bushes are worn out, we can fix em up for you... parts are $60, we can do it for ya for $500" I nearly died and told him to piss off i'll get it done it elsewhere.

So, I order a new strut brace and have it installed for $100 including new strut bushes (which were rooted btw) The rear left strut brace was the one replaced, and when the car was on the hoist it looked like the rear right one had been replaced not long before either. I get the car back and the rattle is still there!

So, my dad and I take a look at it ourselves and discover that the rear left strut brace wasn't tightened properly and was causing a clunk when going over bumps, we tightened it up and the noise went away. Now there's a new noise which is the one I described earlier as the "rattle/popping/bobbing" noise. Like I said it doesn't happen all the time only going over bumps, it's very intermittent and inconsistant. I've noticed sometimes it does it when taking off and then again at the give point in the clutch changing into second (hardness of driving seems to play no factor) So i'm thinking maybe it's clutch related?

If anyone's had anything like this happen to them, please shed some light for me as i'm going mentally insane trying to figure this out, and have already spent $550 replacing a strut and chasing a unicorn.

My car is a 2002 TJ Ralliart, Manual.

your gunna be really pissed if its just something loose in the boot.

Try just driving around with a second person in the car moving around to listen for where its coming from exactly. then work from there.:)

Loose baffling in the fuel tank? (Assuming the sound is still coming from the rear of the vehicle)

I've checked the spare tyre/jack etc, rear parcle speakers etc etc. Nothing is loose. As far as "Loose baffling in the fuel tank" goes, i've got no idea what that is.

2 things that spring to mind, both have happened in my ralliart and had them fixed..

1st, it could be your rear windscreen.. this is a warranty issue that mitsu know full well about.. the seals in them are crap.. some start to peel and make a rattling noise, similar to what you described..

solution, if you havent already, have rear windscreen replaced under warranty (presuming you still have warranty - they only cover screen and seal, no tinting/stickers etc) and see it that fixes it..

2nd, i see in your avatar that you have sunroof. Mine rattled like nothing else and drove me insane.. was only when it was fully opened (not tilted/closed but retracted).. at first it only happened on hot, sunny days.. then happened all the time when it was open, even if it was cold out side..

solution, they re-greased mine when it got its 30,000km 2 weeks ago.. Fixed the problem until the next day.. then it came back.. they told me it was the body flexing and there was nothing they could do about it.. so i got a heap of grease and put it in the guides/rails.. then opened and closed the sunroof like 20 times and wiped out the excess grease.. problem solvered.. doesnt rattle any more..

and, if it isnt any of the above, then i cant be of any help to ya.. sorry mate..

hopefully it is one of those ^..

2 things that spring to mind, both have happened in my ralliart and had them fixed..

1st, it could be your rear windscreen.. this is a warranty issue that mitsu know full well about.. the seals in them are crap.. some start to peel and make a rattling noise, similar to what you described..

solution, if you havent already, have rear windscreen replaced under warranty (presuming you still have warranty - they only cover screen and seal, no tinting/stickers etc) and see it that fixes it..

2nd, i see in your avatar that you have sunroof. Mine rattled like nothing else and drove me insane.. was only when it was fully opened (not tilted/closed but retracted).. at first it only happened on hot, sunny days.. then happened all the time when it was open, even if it was cold out side..

solution, they re-greased mine when it got its 30,000km 2 weeks ago.. Fixed the problem until the next day.. then it came back.. they told me it was the body flexing and there was nothing they could do about it.. so i got a heap of grease and put it in the guides/rails.. then opened and closed the sunroof like 20 times and wiped out the excess grease.. problem solvered.. doesnt rattle any more..

and, if it isnt any of the above, then i cant be of any help to ya.. sorry mate..

hopefully it is one of those ^..

I'll look into those, tho I don't think it's the sunroof as the sound appears to be coming from the rear of the car. Rear windscreen could be a possibility, i'll take it to a windscreen place tomorrow and see if that's the case. Thanks for the reply mate, appreciate it and I sure do hope it's the rear windscreen.

I'll look into those, tho I don't think it's the sunroof as the sound appears to be coming from the rear of the car. Rear windscreen could be a possibility, i'll take it to a windscreen place tomorrow and see if that's the case. Thanks for the reply mate, appreciate it and I sure do hope it's the rear windscreen.

id go mitsubishi if it is under warranty.. because they would know about it and 'should' have it replaced with out any questions asked..

Hi
I had a tf and the rear exhaust heat deflector was rattling, vibrating over bumbs. When it was vibrating the edge of it was hitting part of the car body and making the noise. I bent it back off the boddy and it was fine after then.
Cheers

Hi
I had a tf and the rear exhaust heat deflector was rattling, vibrating over bumbs. When it was vibrating the edge of it was hitting part of the car body and making the noise. I bent it back off the boddy and it was fine after then.
Cheers
Hey, thanks for the input dude. Unfortunately I don't think it's that because i've just had a full exhaust system put in (the noise was there before hand) and i've also checked all that, had extra exhaust supports put on etc. Thanks for the tip tho, I apprreciate it.

Just an update, I took it to a smash repairer this arvo and had him look at the windscreen (windscreen place is too far away and Garry Crick will charge me just to look at it.) He didn't seem to think anything was wrong. It wasn't loose or anything. So that's another one checked off the list.

Tomorrow i'm gonna take the spare wheel and jack out and whatever else looks loose, and then re-check everything like rear speakers etc. Next week I think i'm just gonna take it back to the smash repairer and take a couple of the mechanics for a drive, spend the money and hopefully fix the bloody thing.

Just an update, I took it to a smash repairer this arvo and had him look at the windscreen (windscreen place is too far away and Garry Crick will charge me just to look at it.) He didn't seem to think anything was wrong. It wasn't loose or anything. So that's another one checked off the list.

is it possible for you to post a picture of your rear windscreen seal? because the windscreens wont appear to be loose.. its something to do with the seal.. and if you have the wrong one you may aswell get it changed over under warranty.. and surely they wouldnt charge you just to look at it.. or you could try another mitsu dealer.. because i reckon that if you havent had your rear screen replaced it will more than likely be that..

My windscreen seal is pretty rooted. There's some pics here...

http://www.ecn.net.au/~belated/windscreen1.jpg
http://www.ecn.net.au/~belated/windscreen2.jpg
http://www.ecn.net.au/~belated/windscreen3.jpg
http://www.ecn.net.au/~belated/windscreen4.jpg
http://www.ecn.net.au/~belated/windscreen5.jpg

The Ralliarts have baffling inside the fuel tanks. These bafflings help to eliminate the fuel surge (or lack of) when going around corners with low fuel.

It's possible some of the bafflings may have come of inside the tank and just being washed around -> making metallic noises when it hits the sides of the tank.

The Ralliarts have baffling inside the fuel tanks. These bafflings help to eliminate the fuel surge (or lack of) when going around corners with low fuel.

It's possible some of the bafflings may have come of inside the tank and just being washed around -> making metallic noises when it hits the sides of the tank.
Ok, so i'd need to have someone take the whole fuel tank out and have a look? Sounds like a big job.

Well, I just got off the phone with Garry Crick. They know it's a common problem, but it's not covered under my dealership warranty. (I mean, what is?) And because my car is out of harrier warranty (new car warranty) they're putting in for some exception thing with Mitsubishi and are gonna get back to me.

Mitsubishi came to the party and are gonna pay for 66% of parts cost. I have to pay for labour, so it's gonna cost me $251 to get the rear windscreen replaced. I rang a couple windscreen places and the best price I got was $490 fitted, so it's not bad. Should have this done late next week.

Mitsubishi came to the party and are gonna pay for 66% of parts cost. I have to pay for labour, so it's gonna cost me $251 to get the rear windscreen replaced. I rang a couple windscreen places and the best price I got was $490 fitted, so it's not bad. Should have this done late next week.

and i reckon you'll find that should fix the problem, because by looking at your windscreen seal it does look pretty ****ed. And yeah, its the same seal as mine was..

its a bugger that you're out of warranty though..:doubt:

Had the windscreen replaced, didn't fix the rattle. Took it to a smash repairer dude, he put it on the hoist and noticed my rear left strut is cracked. Ordered a new strut, should be in a day or two, get that installed and i'll get them to check my whole suspension.

So sick of this. :rant:

So sick of this. :rant:

tell me about it. I've nearly had it with my ralliart after this week.:rant:

just had a new windscreen and seals put in under new car warranty on wednesday (wasnt too bad as it was warranty), but now, my car has developed a habbit of stalling after starting it up..

work reckons the battery is ****ed.. so there goes another $100+ on a new battery..

really thinking about off loading it within the new few months before it actually runs out of NCwarranty.. its already cost me enough and had its fair share of warranty claims..

To Date: lower part of rear spoiler replaced due to water leak and faulty brake light, rear screen and seal replaced, front screen and seals replaced, washer bottle pump replaced - all under warranty, replaced 2 tyres ($440) - they then rubbed on the inside of the front guards, replaced all 4 tyres ($1120), sunroof rattles like a mofo; due to so-called "body flexing and cant be fixed", remote for the central locking SUCKS even after new remote, batteries and recode, brakes SQUEAL louder than a 4 y.o. girl after having boiling water tipped over her.. and now a rooted battery..

and i think now the battery has just topped off the "things to really piss me off" list..:doubt:

anyway, enough of my ranting, wont fix your rattling issue.. sucks that it wasnt the rear screen.. hopefully the new strut SHOULD fix the problem..

tell me about it. I've nearly had it with my ralliart after this week.:rant:

just had a new windscreen and seals put in under new car warranty on wednesday (wasnt too bad as it was warranty), but now, my car has developed a habbit of stalling after starting it up..

work reckons the battery is ****ed.. so there goes another $100+ on a new battery..

really thinking about off loading it within the new few months before it actually runs out of NCwarranty.. its already cost me enough and had its fair share of warranty claims..

To Date: lower part of rear spoiler replaced due to water leak and faulty brake light, rear screen and seal replaced, front screen and seals replaced, washer bottle pump replaced - all under warranty, replaced 2 tyres ($440) - they then rubbed on the inside of the front guards, replaced all 4 tyres ($1120), sunroof rattles like a mofo; due to so-called "body flexing and cant be fixed", remote for the central locking SUCKS even after new remote, batteries and recode, brakes SQUEAL louder than a 4 y.o. girl after having boiling water tipped over her.. and now a rooted battery..

and i think now the battery has just topped off the "things to really piss me off" list..:doubt:

anyway, enough of my ranting, wont fix your rattling issue.. sucks that it wasnt the rear screen.. hopefully the new strut SHOULD fix the problem..

Mate, you have spent more money than me, but only just. I've spent close to $1200 so far chasing one noise in my car. Apart from this noise, my car is perfect. (apart from an issue where my fuel gauge decides not to work sometimes) But hey, you're lucky yours is under NCW man. And like I say... even if you had a different car, there'd still be problems. Might not be the same, but there'd be problems. It's inherent in all cars man.

Mate, you have spent more money than me, but only just. I've spent close to $1200 so far chasing one noise in my car. Apart from this noise, my car is perfect. (apart from an issue where my fuel gauge decides not to work sometimes) But hey, you're lucky yours is under NCW man. And like I say... even if you had a different car, there'd still be problems. Might not be the same, but there'd be problems. It's inherent in all cars man.

yeah, i understand that all cars have problems.. buuuuuut, my lancer that i had for 9 months never had a cent spent on it other than fuel and one minor service which was like $86.. the build quality of that car was leaps and bounds ahead of the ralliart..

just guess i had a good run with one car, and a not so good run with this one.. anyway, after i fix the stalling problem it should be all good again.. unless something else decides to go bung!

and im sure you'll let us know if it was/is the strut causing the rattle.. good luck!:thumbsup:

Interesting about the problems you have had. Mine is an almost replica of yours! It's seen the workshop more times then i visit McDonalds! Now i just don't give a rats arse.

Just got the strut replaced. Car feels like new. No rattle, and the suspension and the whole car feels stiffer. No wonder my Willowbank runs were so poor... the suspension guy said that the whole back left of the car would've been dragging the whole car down.

Just got the strut replaced. Car feels like new. No rattle, and the suspension and the whole car feels stiffer. No wonder my Willowbank runs were so poor... the suspension guy said that the whole back left of the car would've been dragging the whole car down.

glad you got it sorted mate..

with it dragging the whole car down, that would also mean high fuel consumption wouldnt it? had you noticed any difference when the rattle came along??

glad you got it sorted mate..

with it dragging the whole car down, that would also mean high fuel consumption wouldnt it? had you noticed any difference when the rattle came along??
The rattle was there for so long I don't remember before... Consumption was about 10.5 (mostly city) So i'll keep my eye on it.

I'm glad I found this thread. The TJ VRX I have just bought seems to be experiencing almost exactly the same symptoms as yours did. Can anyone in Adelaide recommend a good place to get it looked at?

tell me about it. I've nearly had it with my ralliart after this week.:rant:

just had a new windscreen and seals put in under new car warranty on wednesday (wasnt too bad as it was warranty), but now, my car has developed a habbit of stalling after starting it up..

work reckons the battery is ****ed.. so there goes another $100+ on a new battery..

really thinking about off loading it within the new few months before it actually runs out of NCwarranty.. its already cost me enough and had its fair share of warranty claims..

To Date: lower part of rear spoiler replaced due to water leak and faulty brake light, rear screen and seal replaced, front screen and seals replaced, washer bottle pump replaced - all under warranty, replaced 2 tyres ($440) - they then rubbed on the inside of the front guards, replaced all 4 tyres ($1120), sunroof rattles like a mofo; due to so-called "body flexing and cant be fixed", remote for the central locking SUCKS even after new remote, batteries and recode, brakes SQUEAL louder than a 4 y.o. girl after having boiling water tipped over her.. and now a rooted battery..

and i think now the battery has just topped off the "things to really piss me off" list..:doubt:

anyway, enough of my ranting, wont fix your rattling issue.. sucks that it wasnt the rear screen.. hopefully the new strut SHOULD fix the problem..


I have the same stalling issue. They reckon the battery is stuffed but its fine. I think its really an immobiliser issue. I remember someone saying about a connector that gets corroded near the lock.

I'm glad I found this thread. The TJ VRX I have just bought seems to be experiencing almost exactly the same symptoms as yours did. Can anyone in Adelaide recommend a good place to get it looked at?
Just take it to any good suspension place and get them to check the rear struts. It's not a big job for someone who knows how to do it, but remember the struts aren't cheap.