Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

98 Subaru Impreza Coupe rattle


Recommended Posts

Hi all--Newbie here looking for some help. Read the forums all the time, but have never posted before. My 98 Subaru Impreza is an automatic with 42,592 miles on it. It has begun to rattle, tick, whatever you want to call it during exceleration up hill, right at the 38mph mark. The minute you pass 38mph it goes away. Can not reproduce the noise on flat surface or downhill. Any suggestions before I call the service department at the Subaru dealer? Needless to say they are never very helpful when it comes to something like this. Any suggestions appreciated!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where does it sound like it's coming from? Under the dash, engine compartment, back of car? Is the tick engine or speed dependent. I know you said it goes away at faster or slower speeds....but does it change pitch if you accelerate or decelerate at that speed?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where does it sound like it's coming from? Under the dash, engine compartment, back of car? Is the tick engine or speed dependent. I know you said it goes away at faster or slower speeds....but does it change pitch if you accelerate or decelerate at that speed?

It sounds like it is coming from the front of the car, drivers side, near the wheel. It seems only speed dependent and not engine dependent. Never changes pitch! Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi all--Newbie here looking for some help. Read the forums all the time, but have never posted before. My 98 Subaru Impreza is an automatic with 42,592 miles on it. It has begun to rattle, tick, whatever you want to call it during exceleration up hill, right at the 38mph mark. The minute you pass 38mph it goes away. Can not reproduce the noise on flat surface or downhill. Any suggestions before I call the service department at the Subaru dealer? Needless to say they are never very helpful when it comes to something like this. Any suggestions appreciated!

Mine is also a 98, but I have about 112k right now. It had about 60k when I bought it. These cars are so picky... it could be a tire out of balance, low in air, too much air, I recently put new tires on my car because I was experiencing some serious problems. I was getting 4x4 binding, also the noise you get from a failing wheel bearing, and my rear tires were wearing out the inside lip on every other rubber groove. I know.. that one is real strange. The tires were just about bald anyhow, dry and cracking in places, so I sprung for new rubber all around and had the alignment done. The alignment was only off a little but they still charged me :(. Double check that your tire pressure is even all around first. I'm looking to replace my rear shocks (or struts?) now... I'm going to start a new thread seeing what everyone recommends.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I get a funky rattle in my sunroof, sounds like tin touching something vibrating... and the plastic part on front of dash rattles on the drivers side... I can hold it and the rattle goes away. I have yet to pull it out, but I think it's a broken clip that's supposed to hold it.

 

OH... and my whole trunk rattles BAD when the 2 10s are thumping Lenny Kravits American Woman. :P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi All,

 

Sorry it took so long to reply...work is getting in the way!!! Anyways, I have an alignment scheduled next week on Wednesday, but I'm leaning toward the heat sheild, it really does sound like that...thanks for the heat sheild info....stansgl. I'll let you all know what the dealer says...it goes in Monday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi All,

 

Sorry it took so long to reply...work is getting in the way!!! Anyways, I have an alignment scheduled next week on Wednesday, but I'm leaning toward the heat sheild, it really does sound like that...thanks for the heat sheild info....stansgl. I'll let you all know what the dealer says...it goes in Monday.

Yea if thats all it is.. should be simple fix... good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

So, the solution to the rattle was mainly the heat shields, which I had them remove...hated the sound. Also had the wheels aligned which was really needed and my tires were cracked and dry rotted from sitting in the weather when I used to commute to work with a friend. I was very fortunate not to have had an accident from the way the tires look! Got some new Blizzik snows for the winter and till get better all weather tires in the spring. For now all is well!!!

 

Thanks all of you for your suggestions!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
So, the solution to the rattle was mainly the heat shields, which I had them remove...hated the sound.

A follow-up question...I was searching on the same issue and have the same heat shield rattle issue. What risks are associated with removing the heat shields outright? I have a '97 Outback wagon.

 

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...