Tinny/metallic rattle/tapping only at highway speeds

HunterZ · 06-30-2019, 04:19 PM

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction for tracking down a rattle I've been tolerating for over a year.

The sound comes from the passenger side rear of the car. It's a rapid tapping sound with a distinct metallic note. Kinda like if you rapidly tapped a pen to a tin can at high frequency. The strange part is that it only appears at high speeds. It starts at around 60mph and gets louder with even higher speeds. This makes me think that its wind related and likely not inside the car.

A quick search didn't yield any previous posts with this described sound. Anyone else deal with a sound like this? Thanks!

BettyZ · 06-30-2019, 06:45 PM

Have you checked the underside of the car for loose trim or paneling?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Spooler · 06-30-2019, 10:07 PM

Check your axle nuts for tightness. Do a search on here for axle clicking.

wanker · 07-01-2019, 11:27 AM

Do you have an aftermarket exhaust? It could be rubbing against the emission canister shield.

SouthArk370Z · 07-01-2019, 12:48 PM

Could be a LOT of things - backing plates, heat shields, etc.

It might help to have someone ride shotgun and listen while you concentrate on driving.

Get the car up on a lift, wait for car to cool down, and start tugging on stuff. Tighten down and/or move any loose/interfering parts.

06-30-2019, 04:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
HunterZ Base Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 6 Drives: 16 Nissan 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 8	Tinny/metallic rattle/tapping only at highway speeds Hey everyone, I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction for tracking down a rattle I've been tolerating for over a year. The sound comes from the passenger side rear of the car. It's a rapid tapping sound with a distinct metallic note. Kinda like if you rapidly tapped a pen to a tin can at high frequency. The strange part is that it only appears at high speeds. It starts at around 60mph and gets louder with even higher speeds. This makes me think that its wind related and likely not inside the car. A quick search didn't yield any previous posts with this described sound. Anyone else deal with a sound like this? Thanks!

06-30-2019, 06:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
BettyZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Chicagoland Age: 37 Posts: 5,261 Drives: A Garage Queen Rep Power: 2684371	Have you checked the underside of the car for loose trim or paneling? Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk __________________ '14 MB Nismo \| Boost Lab 6870 1.32 AR 553 HP / 471 ft.-lbs. Betty Mods

07-01-2019, 12:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Could be a LOT of things - backing plates, heat shields, etc. It might help to have someone ride shotgun and listen while you concentrate on driving. Get the car up on a lift, wait for car to cool down, and start tugging on stuff. Tighten down and/or move any loose/interfering parts. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

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06-30-2019, 10:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,800 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	Check your axle nuts for tightness. Do a search on here for axle clicking.

07-01-2019, 11:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
wanker Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 443 Drives: 2011 370Z S/T A7 Rep Power: 2901	Do you have an aftermarket exhaust? It could be rubbing against the emission canister shield.