2005 Dodge Magnum R/T - Frontend Rattle

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Hardwood
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2005 Dodge Magnum R/T - Frontend Rattle

Post by Hardwood »

Nope, it's not the sway bar links or sway bar bushings. Removed sway bar from car to rule them out.

Rattle from front end over little bumps (just like a sway bar link or bushing rattle).

Suspected brake pads and/or caliper rattling (seemed to go away when applying brakes, but it's still there actually).

Inner and outer tie rod ends replaced elsewhere and are OE parts. No looseness felt when checking front suspension.

Rattle is pronounced when driving over little bumps in the road or through a parking lot with old asphalt and lots of little pot holes.

Cannot duplicate rattle in shop. Usual "open door and rock the car method" of checking sway bar links does not recreate the rattle.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
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fortknoxx
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Re: 2005 Magnum R/T front end rattle

Post by fortknoxx »

strut tower bearing plate?

thats where my noise is coming from in my jetta.

how about heat shield, that was the noise on my crownvic
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Re: 2005 Magnum R/T front end rattle

Post by a&mauto »

We have a chassis ear that saves our tail in times like this. Ask around to see if you can borrow one.
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Re: 2005 Magnum R/T front end rattle

Post by wbuxton »

Let me know because I can't find the rattle in my 07 SRT8 Charger. It's on the right front at speeds below 75. I'm checking now for canisters or other attached items instead of steering or suspension components.
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fortknoxx
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Re: 2005 Magnum R/T front end rattle

Post by fortknoxx »

wbuxton wrote:Let me know because I can't find the rattle in my 07 SRT8 Charger. It's on the right front at speeds below 75. I'm checking now for canisters or other attached items instead of steering or suspension components.
In your case, it's prob the loose nut behind the wheel!
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Re: 2005 Magnum R/T front end rattle

Post by ricmorin »

Sometimes it's right in the strut. I have a Chassis Ear as well and it usually finds these things.
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Re: 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T - Frontend Rattle

Post by protraxrptr17 »

Check that you have the right amount of spacers, washers, etc on the top of the strut and that they are in the right order. I worked at a Dodge dealership back in the late 90's. Had a brand new truck giving me fits withthe same problem. There was a washer missing on the left front shock. Had an import a few weeks ago that made a similar noise. Turned out to be a semi-loose nut on top of the strut.
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Re: 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T - Frontend Rattle

Post by steven kiser »

i'm leaning towards a strut issue. the suspension is stiff and we find it rather difficult to bounce it enough to duplicate the noise. i also use the chassis ear on occasion. it's a god sent n these issues. i also will take this type of vehicles and while on the drive on lift open the doors and use them to bounce the car. if i feel any slight bump while my hand is on the strut tower i start at the strut. i find that the strut carriers take a beating because of the stiff suspension. oem only. i've found that the after market ones will not stand up. good luck
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Hardwood
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Re: 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T - Frontend Rattle

Post by Hardwood »

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have a chassis ear and I can use it to narrow the noise down. (But it only has 6 channels LOL! :lol: )

The customer isn't too concerned, as I could not condemn any FE part from a safety standpoint.

Not an exhaust rattle. Definitely suspension rattle (IE - sway bar link/bushing type rattle)

Next time he comes through I'll connect the Chassis Ear and have another round with it.

BTW - The "door tipping" is always my first way to condemn sway bar links. And in this case it was easy to remove the whole damn thing just to rule it out.

I'll keep you all posted when I get another chance to track it down.
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Minnetonka, MN 55305
952-593-0586
http://www.MinnetonkaAutoService.com
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