I know that there are great "rattle" threads already. I spend a couple of hours using the search and reading threads earlier today. But If you guys have any tips or more idea's for me to try or places to search I would appreciate it....

2003 SVT EAP
111,500 miles

I have an RPM dependent rattle.
Currently its making this vibration/rattle between 2800 - 3400 rpm. It goes away above 3400rpm

It is more noticeable on decelration than acceleration
I can produce the rattle while the car is standing still or under rolling conditions. It sounds like it is coming from below the shifter or below the dash. It sounds like a "tinny" hollow metal reverberation. Its as much a vibration as a rattle, but a vibration that causes something to rattle. The car is not rough rolling or bouncy though... just that I'm not sure the rattling part may be making the noise due to vibrations. It isn't super high pitched... actually its a low enough pitch that it sounds like a larger object.
(sounds almost like a large piece of metal reverberating... bigger sounding than a loose washer)

at about 90,000 miles I took off the cat bracket and welded the broken part back on. I examined it extensively today and it hasn't rebroken that I can see. When it was broke in the past I was able to wiggle the cat (unsupported) and today the cat is rock steady... not broken

at 100,000 I was convinced it must be the dreaded clutch rattle, so I replaced the flywheel, pressure plate, clutch, and throw-out.. (full luk kit)

I also found the carrier bearing to be suspect while I was doing the clutch job, so I replaced the passenger side CV shaft and carrier bearing at the same time.

The heat shield on the bottom of the cat has been missing since about 30,000miles and isn't present to rattle.

I've checked the chassis heat shield above the cat bracket and above the flex-joint extremely well because that the area It seems to come from but everything is tight and seems intact.

At 105,000 I replaced the timing belt, and all of the pulleys.. on the off chance that the rattle might be a belt pulley? It wasn't... but I aslo started the motor with the accessory belt off to see if it could possible be a rattle coming from the alternator or power steering pump. It wasn't.

Today I took a stethoscope underneath while someone held the RPM correct. The mechanic stethoscope is new to me... but I touched it to everything under the suspect area. The loudest thing seemed to be the PS CV axle.... making me think that the transmission could be the source... But the rattle is present with the clutch in or out..

My current line of thought is maybe all of the motor mounts are soft enough that the transmission or motor could be out of position enough to touch the chassis or touch something causing the rattle?

Do you guys have a better way to test the mounts, where is the best place to buy mounts.. I don't need race mounts, but would lean towards stock or replacement similar to stock.

So anybody have any more idea's for me?
has anyone else fixed an rear of engine bay type of rattle caused by something other than the cat shield, cat brack, carrier bearing, clutch, etc..............


thanks guys for any tips or ideas
brant

to much for me to read right now lol

but its an svt so just get used to it

^^Not very productive answer ya got there, but when all else fails, just drive it till something breaks.


Wow sounds like you covered everything I was thinking off. I would try changing the motor mounts out. The passenger side especially likes to go bad. Soft mounts would let the motor vibrate more or let what every is attached vibrate more. Good luck and let us know what it was.

Also, what do you guys recommend for motor mounts.
are stock ones super expensive?
I really don't want rock hard, and I think that would increase my rattle problem

I haven't called the dealer yet but fear the price will be high..
any other good sources?

I just use Auto Zone motor mounts, price is good and they seem to work well.

Have you pulled any part of the dash apart?

I just use Auto Zone motor mounts, price is good and they seem to work well.

Have you pulled any part of the dash apart?

I haven't pulled anything apart in the dash
I still have the stock stereo even...
and its so metalic sounding...

is there anything specific under the dash I should check for
I'm happy to look under there.
brant

I just use Auto Zone motor mounts, price is good and they seem to work well.

Have you pulled any part of the dash apart?

Autozone doesn't have the SVT passenger side mount. The mount they give you for engine code 5 is the regular Zetec mount. Trust me I had to take the guy out to my car and pop the hood, after he ordered two different mounts, and show him the mounts where not right. Pepboys doesn't carry it either. CFM has it or you can get it from Toulsey Ford for 10% over cost.

there is a heat shield below the cat and over the rack and PS hard lines. prolly that, mine rattles too. afraid that if i remove it, the heat from the cat S FL will over heat the rack and fluid

Also, what do you guys recommend for motor mounts.
are stock ones super expensive?
I really don't want rock hard, and I think that would increase my rattle problem

I haven't called the dealer yet but fear the price will be high..
any other good sources?

Try Steve [Fordsvtparts] or Mike [b16sir1991]. CFM also has OEM mounts
Driver will run about $45
Passenger about $150

Test for passenger side is pull off top plastic cap
The rubber is packed with fluid and you should not be able to push the top of it down (or so I hear)

I don't know if i missed this in your description but the heat shield over the headers tends to come apart down under where it bolts to the header.
Washers will take care of it for a while but eventually all the holes get too big.

Update.

put on brand new svt motor mounts from steve
and brand new competetion motor mount for the bottom, rear dogbone.

Still have the rattle dang it...

going to next try pulling the front header heatshield off completely and see what that does. Figure I may try removing the shielding one at a time
What is the common solution for the front header heat shield. I have some washers already... is replacement the next step?

thanks again guys!
brant

my o2 sensor has come loose before took me a while to figure it out.

my o2 sensor has come loose before took me a while to figure it out.

worth checking...
I appreciate the idea
(and I put them both in new about a year ago... so could of come loose)

brant