Rear (suspension?) rattle.

[Argos69]

Ok, I know this is "yet another" mystery noise, but I'll explain what is happening and hope it triggers a thought or idea.

I have a metallic rattle (not "quite" a clonk!) from the rear of the 2013 C5 Tourer Exclusive (autobox, hyrdragas) and I can't trace it.

Uneven roads and slight bumps bring it on. It appears to be coming from the driver's side (following laying in the back whilst being driven).
What I've tried so far.
1. Removed the jack, spare wheel and anything loose.
2. Rear seats up and down. Seat belts open & fastened. (It does appear to be from underneath though)
3. Jacked the car up onto stands and poked, prybar-ed and hammered everything I can see.
4. Exhaust is fine and so are shields.
5. Backed onto ramps and poked, banged etc - nothing!
6. Just the same if 1 person or 4 in the car.

The only place there is a bush with more than a couple off mm flex when levered is the right hand rear lower trailing arm bush (but that's a maybe).

Just to add to the equation, the car has more wear on the inner edge of the rear passenger side tyre!

Car drives & runs ok. No pulling. All other tyres ok.

All good ideas and thoughts are most welcome please.

[mickthemaverick]

One thing which is frequently overlooked when these random noises occur is the fuel tank mounts. Check them by pressing the corners of the tank and see if any movement is detectable.

[Rp0thejester]

Any work done on the exhaust recently, just thinking maybe some debris has got to the back box.

[Argos69]

Hi & thanks for the replies.

Nothing done to the exhaust. To be honest, it's in amazing condition for its age. Clearly stainless and no amount of gentle whacking causes a sound. Hangers look good and its still fastened to the engine
I'll check the fuel tank on "round 2" of the investigations. Never thought of that. My (old) brain still says, "something about medium screwdriver thickness, rattling in a hole slightly bigger than itself", if that doesn't sound too eccentric?

I have nightmares about loose nuts (not the medical condition - please!). I chased a rattle on my Freelander for months before finding a loose nut on top of the suspension strut. But what a joy it was to actually find it.

Simple pleasures etc!

[Lenny]

Anti-roll bar links are the only rattle mine's ever had from the rear. Cheap and easy to replace.

[Argos69]

Hi Lenny,
Just bought a pair of drop links while I'm in the UK (cheaper than France!) and will fit as soon as I get back.
I'll report the outcome.

[Argos69]

Now that I've returned to France, I've had a morning to get under the car and fit the new drop links.
Breaking news! The Rattle has gone.
This has plagued me for about 2 years. It has appeared then disappeared and whenever I've had the time for a poke about underneath, I've found nothing at all. To be honest, there is only the tiniest movement on the faulty one, you could only just discern it when it was in a vice.
Anyway, thanks to all for help and advice.