Ratteling Noise Coming From Rear Of Car?

I noticed today a lot of rattling noise coming from the passenger rear
side of the car, I have no idea what it is! it just sounds like
something is lose I guess... it is very hard to describe I am not sure
how to describe it!

It doesn't happen all the time - it seems to come and go but if I
don't have the radio on it is annoying! I can hear it most at around
up to 30mph - if I go faster I can't hear anything else...

It is definately something obviously to do with the wheels and/or
suspension but is it anything serious or just some road noise from a
car that has done over 150,000 miles?

My local garage did change or swap over the rear wheel bearings on the
car as they thought it was causing the ABS to come up with a fault and
since then the ABS light seems to stay off except for occasionally
when it comes on, so whatever they did has sorta stopped my ABS light
coming on!

Of course I have no idea if the noise was there before or not as I
have been extra sensative to any car noises since my car broke down
about a week and a hald ago and had two new coils fitted.... so I
would like to know if it is something to get checked or nothing worth
worrying about.

I have read on this forum about wheel bearing hum - but I have no idea
what that sounds like and obviously the garage would have replaced the
bearings when they swaped them over (if they didnt replace them
anyway) if they were worn out so is it likely to be that?

One other thing I have read that S40s do not like Pirelli tyres and I
can safely say that my rear tyres ARE Pirelli P6000's! I know the
tread is getting low and the tyres needs to be changed in the next
couple of weeks could this be the cause of the sound?

Thanks.

 

<SNIP>

My 850 also has a rattle in the rear passenger side which I believe is
the shock bushing on that side. I will have the mechanic check it in
the next few days. I suspect that is what you are hearing with yours.
There are other bushings back there and, at 150K, it's entirely likely
it could be any of them but if you're hearing a metalic rattle, I
would suspect the shock bushing.

As for your tire issue, I have never had good luck with Pirelli tires.
At one time I suffered three tread separations inside of a month using
Perillis. I have always preferred Michelin and had excellent results
with them.

Hope this helps.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974
Presently a '93 240 and a '97 850

 

If it is the shock bushing then is that something that needs to be
fixed quickly?

or is it safe to drive still? and is it expensive to fix? obviously I
don't want my wheels falling off!

Maybe its not that serious but know much more than me so how serious
and how big a problem is it? Thanks.

 

Assuming I'm right that it's the upper shock mount, the biggest
problem is the annoyance of the rattle. Arguably, over time the shock
rod *could* wallow out the mount hole but that would be unusual. I
wouldn't wait too long because a) the current state is annoying and b)
the fix is pretty simple and cheap. If you're handy at repairs, the
parts might cost $5. If you have a favorite mechanic, it shouldn't
cost more than $50 (which I would think rather high).

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974

 

I just had a look at a check my volvo dealer did about a month ago and
on it is says that the "trailing arm bushes are pushing out"

It didn't say anything else but is that would you are talking about?
are the trailing arm bushes on the rear of the car?

I am planning on taking it to my local garage tomorrow to get it
checked but if worse came to worse and I didn't replace them what is
the worse that would happen? would the suspension break or something
similar or are we just talking about a lot of noise!

I had a listen to the sounds today somemore and it sounds almost
plastic, its not really a metallic sound I suppose its almost a spring
sound! which would I guess seem to implicate the bushes?! Thanks.

 

I just wanted to add that the noise is only audiable from INSIDE the
car - as I have opened my windows to see if I can hear any exterior
noise and I can't!

I hate the fact that I may lose my car to the garage for a few days
when I can still drive it which is one of the reasons why I want to
know how serious an issue it is!

 

Even if it's a major suspension bushing, it ain't fatal. Might cost
more than a shock mounting since the disassembly is much more
involved. Could be $500 for a fix.

After toorrow I can tell you what mine was.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974

 

Well, I'm surprised. Turns out the rattle was actually from the right
FRONT strut mount. I swear it sounded like the right rear. $200 for
GENUWINE Volvo parts and $200 for labor including a re-alignment.
Wasn't critical to do at this time but the rattle was annoying so I
got 'er done. No rattle now. I still listen to the radio, however.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974

 

I had volvo check out my car as well today - the only thing that could
be the cause the noise that the mechanic could see was the bushing/
bushes - he said that worst case scenario they would break and the car
would clunk where the bushing failed but that it was not anything
urgent and it has never happened to him before - but I would need them
replaced before the next MOT (which is the UK certificate that means
the car is road legal which is renewed every year) but that isn't
until November.

Though if it gets noiser I may change it before then BUT not at
volvo... he quoted me about £300 ($600) for the job - which I am sure
you will agree is a lucidcrous amount!