Hi all, I’m kinda at the end of my rope looking for any suggestions. My 2007 LT has had a nasty rattle for quite some time, at everyone’s suggestion I have replaced the lower control arms and bushings, sway bar links and bushings, ball joints, steering box and tie rods including tie rod ends, steering sector shaft, and struts. The noise is getting progressively worse as I drive it, I haven’t replaced the CV axles as there isn’t the usual clicking that signals a problem. The rattle is all on the passenger side and feels like it’s right under the floor boards on that side. I don’t want to get rid of the car but have spent hundreds of $ with no success. Sorry for the long chat.

 

Engine cradle bolts loose ?

 

Three top bolts on the strut plate loose. Ball joint pinch bolts loose?

 

Hubs? Exhaust pipe? Motor mount? Air box bracket (most likely)

 

Thank you everyone for the input. I’ve tried checking the motor mounts but can’t get any movement by prying at those locations, not sure what someone was referring to about the motor cradle. I’ve checked the exhaust system for cracks or separation and just rechecked the strut mounting plate for tightness. I forgot to mention in my original post that I also replaced the hub on that side but that wasn’t the cause of the rattle.

 

Forgot to also mention that the air box bracket was broken and has been replaced but didn’t solve the problem.

 

How many miles? You didn't mention replacing struts, did you?

 

Struts are mentioned in post #1 , but were they quick struts? Or just struts? How’s about the brake pad spring clips? OEM or aftermarket? Also the caliper slide pins? Loose or just right?

 

Dried up oak leaf in cabin air filter? Only while moving?

Check the motor mount by looking through the oblong hole in the passenger side wheel well; if the tensioner bolt is not visible the mount is bad.

The engine and transmission are mounted on a cradle that is bolted on to the "frame" with 4 bolts, 2 of them also hold the LCAs.

 

The mileage is 128K, the struts were the complete assembly from Rock Auto. I replaced the front rotors and pads with aftermarket slotted rotors also from RA and did a complete service on the calipers and brackets so feel pretty confident that the noise isn’t coming from that. Great info on how to check the motor mount, I’ll do that again as well as the cradle bolts, I’ve had the LCA off the car a few times hoping to find a problem and everything seems tight but will double check. Thanks for all the advice, hope to sort this out soon, it’s actually unpleasant to drive on any sort of rough surface, sounds like the front end is falling off!