Not a chain rattle after all

[jester911]

Well I have had a rattle that was occurring at low rpms when the engine is cold. Especially bad on a bumpy road. Seems to smooth
out as it warms up and at higher rpms.

My ex-mechanic even told me he thought the noise was the chains. Well after biting the bullet and taking it in to my new found mechanic it turns out the rattle was my back shocks.

Well at first I thought no way, but then it started making sense.
There is a road I drive the car on coming out of the place that I play tennis that is really rough pavement. I always hear the rattle there especially when it is cold.

The shocks have never been changed as far as I know with about 70,000 miles. The struts in the front are needing to be replaced as well.

I just had to share this with you guys because I am so relieved that the noise was not the dreaded "death rattle".
My car has been running really nicely and this just gives me more piece of mind.

[masraum]

Jerry, when you replace the shocks/struts you will be amazed. I thought my car handled really well, but then I changed the shocks. The originals were Boge gas charged and were in bad shape. I took one off, and if I held it by the bottom the weight of the top would cause the shock to compress, none of them really had any gas charge anymore as I could compress them, let go, and of the 4 only one started coming back out, and it only moved about an inch and then stopped. The difference in the ride and handling from before and after was amazing (and it still handled well before compared to the norm).

Glad it wasn't more serious!!

[jester911]

Thanks Steve,
I was very relieved. I have heard enough of the horror stories with the chain etc.
Thanks also for the advice on the shocks. I am looking forward to testing it out once the new " suspension is in place"