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!

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?

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.

hmm....not sure what to tell you. You might have them take the wheel off and see if they notice anything out of whack.

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.

My "98 Forester is rattling also... started slow and suddle but gets worse the longer you leave it.... My rattle is a heat shield on the exhaust.. don't know if yours is but you might check.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!