the_old_diver
24-08-2008, 06:39 PM
Hi Friends,
My 96 Passat TD Umwelt saloon has developed a very annoying rattle which I cannot trace.
Symptoms:
It sounds similar to the noise made by a small spanner tapping on the rear window, or the noise made when the inertial seat belt mechanism locks up, or castanets.
I cannot make it happen by leaping up and down on the car when stationary, it doesn't happen at low speed on a smooth road, but occurs at rates of up to about 5 per second at higher speeds on bumpy roads. It is irregular, so a few seconds of silence might be followed by 5 or 10 rattles as the car moves up and down.
It seems to come from behind the driver's head, approx level with the top of the rear seats and in the region of the rear driver's side seat belt mechanism.
Already checked: I have removed the seat belt mechanism; I have investigated the filler cap locking mechanism and packed it with rags; I have checked the various linkages in the boot lid; I have weighed down and prised up the parcel shelf.
I am left wondering if there might be something in one of the pillars? Any pointers will be appreciated - it's beginning to drive me mad :-)
Thanks in advance, OD
My 96 Passat TD Umwelt saloon has developed a very annoying rattle which I cannot trace.
Symptoms:
It sounds similar to the noise made by a small spanner tapping on the rear window, or the noise made when the inertial seat belt mechanism locks up, or castanets.
I cannot make it happen by leaping up and down on the car when stationary, it doesn't happen at low speed on a smooth road, but occurs at rates of up to about 5 per second at higher speeds on bumpy roads. It is irregular, so a few seconds of silence might be followed by 5 or 10 rattles as the car moves up and down.
It seems to come from behind the driver's head, approx level with the top of the rear seats and in the region of the rear driver's side seat belt mechanism.
Already checked: I have removed the seat belt mechanism; I have investigated the filler cap locking mechanism and packed it with rags; I have checked the various linkages in the boot lid; I have weighed down and prised up the parcel shelf.
I am left wondering if there might be something in one of the pillars? Any pointers will be appreciated - it's beginning to drive me mad :-)
Thanks in advance, OD