Strange Rattle

[Brucie0000]

Over the last couple of days my 03 sport has developed a strange metallic rattle. It only happens when the car has warmed up and is under load I.e travelling up hill. I'm thinking a heat shield of some kind but revving the car at a standstill and shaking the exhaust, didn't produce the fault again. Any ideas?

[IHgs300]

Could be a heatshield, have you tried the ones under bonnet covering manifold? Does it sound as though it's coming from outside or behind dash ect?

[Brucie0000]

Doesnt sound like its under the bonnet or behind the dash. With a window open its very noticeable which leads me to think mid exhaust/ backbox.

[IHgs300]

If that's the case then id agree with you. middle or rear heatshield.

[sjrainsford]

The rear heat shield has normally rusted to bits on the older ones by now. I ended up cutting loads of mine out anyway when fitting a tow bar, but most of it just fell off!

[jomo]

I have a metallic rattle but its coming from the plates behind the brake discs, if i put my hands through the wheels and flick them they rattle but only the front, rears are ok.

Try yours you never know?

[Brucie0000]

Had a little look underneath after work and found the 2 mounting points closest to the centre of the car had rusted out around the nuts of the back box heat shield. Couple of washers later I should hopefully be rattle free. Then it's just the 30mph whistle to sort from the front wheels.