Rattle - Help!

[Ricosan]

Hey Guys,

I know you probably won’t believe this but I have a rattle in my ‘34. It’s driving me crazy. It’s very loud and almost constant. Even the tiniest bumps will produce the sound. Did I say the sound is VERY loud. It sounds like two large pieces of metal that that have come loose from each other and now bang and slap against each other.

The sound seems to be coming from under my feet or under the seat. Applying the brakes has no effect on the sound. It’s on the drivers side.

I’ve crawled under the car numerous times and pulled and poked and used a rubber hammer to see if I could reproduce anything that resembles the sound that I’m hearing. Everything is solid, rust free and tight.

Help!

Richard

The sound is so loud and incessant that I can’t believe I can’t find it.

[drolston]

Sounds like an exhaust pipe vibrating against the frame where it passes through. Do you have dual exhaust that would put the source under your feet?

[Steve Staysko]

Before I re-restored my 34 roadster I had the same problem and it was the muffler hitting the frame.

[1931 flamingo]

Original car?? Are engine pans installed?? The pans sometimes "break" at attaching points.
Paul in CT

[Ken/Alabama]

Is the rubber ball on the front wishbone in good condition?

[TJ]

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It's either the exhaust pipe hitting the frame or the rubber ball on the wishbone has disintegrated.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama;1777950[B

]Is the rubber ball on the front wishbone in good condition?[/B]

Yup!....Inspect the rubber ball on the front of the wishbone....It's the fix!....

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[Ricosan]

Hey Guys,

Yes, I have dual exhaust. The car is all original except for the exhaust.

The exhaust was the first thing I suspected too. I looked at where the pipe passes through the frame and I have good clearance. I’ve grabbed the pipe and muffler and pulled and pushed it. The pipe and muffler are very tight. It won’t move more than 1/8 of an inch. I also banged on the muffler and tailpipe with the rubber mallet and could produce no problematic noise.

I had the shocks rebuilt about six months ago and the rubber balls were replaced at that time. I re-examined the balls last week and from what I can see sticking out they look like they were just put in.

I took the seat out yesterday but didn’t have time to investigate.

Thanks again,

Richard

[Ricosan]

Found it!! It was hiding in plain sight. Well kind of... It was under under my seat at my feet. It is the seat adjustment lever. Two noises. The ratchet part was hitting the stationary catch at every bump and the frame that the seat adjuster is attached to is making a noise like one of those thumb “clickers” we had as kids.

I was so sure the noise was coming from underneath the car, I just completely neglected checking under the seat. My bad.

Thanks again Guys, this is a great resource.

Richard

[melisahe]

The rubber ball is on the wishbone not the shocks.

[Ricosan]

Melisahe, I’m not sure what the wishbone is. I’m talking about the “dog bones”. Is this the same thing?

Richard

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Ricosan

Melisahe, I’m not sure what the wishbone is. I’m talking about the “dog bones”. Is this the same thing?

Richard

The wishbone is the V shaped piece that runs from the front axle to the center of the frame under the transmission. There is a steel ball on the end of the wishbone that mounts into a cup under the transmission. There is a rubber ball that fits over the steel ball to cushion the wishbone.. If the rubber is missing then there is a rattle under the car.
If you own an old Ford V-8 you need to invest in some books to help you understand terminology and know the parts, so you can make repairs if needed. If you have a 33-34 Ford you should purchase the 33-34 Ford book that is put out by the Early Ford V-8 Club of America. You can see it on the club's website, www.earlyfordv8.org. It might also help you if you joined the Early Ford V-8 Club and received their V-8 Times magazine. Lots of good information there for a new owner of an old Ford V-8.

[Ricosan]

TJ, thanks for the information about the wishbone. I know the piece you are talking about now, I just didn’t know what it was called. Looks like another trip under the car.

I bought a couple of “repair manuals” but they’ve all come up short. Far and away the best shop manual I’ve found is this forum. When I run into a problem, I do a search and read everything posted on the subject.
That being said, I would love to have a good shop manual that a novice can still understand. Any good shop manuals come to mind that you would recommend?

Thanks again,
Richard

[TJ]

Try Ford Service Bulletins 1932-1937. It's available from most of the V-8 parts vendors.

[RKS.PA]

Originally Posted by Ricosan

Found it!! It was hiding in plain sight. Well kind of... It was under under my seat at my feet. It is the seat adjustment lever. Two noises. The ratchet part was hitting the stationary catch at every bump and the frame that the seat adjuster is attached to is making a noise like one of those thumb “clickers” we had as kids.

I was so sure the noise was coming from underneath the car, I just completely neglected checking under the seat. My bad.

Thanks again Guys, this is a great resource.

Richard

So good when the solutions is "right under your nose"....so to speak!

[Ricosan]

TJ - thanks I’ll check into it.
RKS - yes, if it had been a snake it would have bitten me!

Richard