Front End Rattle Solved.....Maybe?

[retiredfields]

Had my GT at the dealer all day this week to try and find the front end rattle that I have posted about before. The rattle is in the area of the passeneger floorboard and occurs on sharp bumps, like potholes or speed bumps. After spending all day with the dealer, they confirmed the following:1) The rattle does exist. Three mechs confirmed it.2) It is probably the spring mounted joint between the exhaust pipe and the exhaust manifold that vibrates. 3) They can do nothing about it, since that is the way the car was designed.The exhaust system design is very poor. There are two spring mounted joints that easily move and can vibrate. The entire exhaust system is mounted on flimsy rubber hangers that promote movement and vibration. The dealer suggested I take it to a muffler shop and have all the hangers replaced with stiffer hangers and replace the spring mounted joints with solid joints using gaskets.I drove another new GT and it did exactly the same rattle as mine, so other GT owners must have the same problem. I will get the exhaust system modifed and report back on the results.

[ragingfish]

Haven't heard any GT owners who have that problem...

[baltimore17]

Whatever you do, don't put in stiffer hangers. The flexible rubber absorbs exhaust noise. You think you like the sound that comes out of your tailpipe? The sound you'd get conducted into the interior by stiff hangers from all the intermediate points, prior to all the mellowing of the muffler, is nasty. My very first car had a rattle when brand new. The dealer said it was the exhaust and cinched the whole exhaust against the floor pan. Sounded nasty. And rude. I had them put the exhaust pipes back where they belonged, and found the rattle myself in the clutch linkage. Stupid dealer mechanics!

[AKLGT]

yes, i hear my GT rattle too. but my music is usually on and i don't notice it that much

[retiredfields]

Thanks for your input. Your car looks nice, but Alaska looks great!!!!

[threekrows]

Mine is a gt and it rattles over sharp bumps also.But it sounds more like the right front fenderwell area.Maybe a strut,not sure waiting to see if it gets worse.But while looking I did find a rubber weatherstrip at the top of the fender by the windshield that had slid out of place and was letting the fender hit,nothing a little glue didn't fix...

[retiredfields]

Even though it sounds like it, I don't believe it is the strut. There was another thread in which someone had the strut replaced and it didn't help. That makes three GT owners in this forum and the two GT's that I have driven that all have this same rattle. Any other GT owners want to join in so we can get Pontiac's attention?Thanks

[robdog]

Mine rattles when I am at low rpms and accellerating. usually between 1500 and 2000 RPMs. It is annoying and embarrassing. I will have the dealer look at it next week when it is inspected.

[londonbob]

I had an engine mount replaced on my 03 Vibe...was making the same noise. They did try playing with the exhaust hardware but fund the problem in the engine mounts...Give this a look if you still have the noise.Bob

[champcaracing]

try taking the front pipe down at the manifold, take the exhaust gasket/doughnut out and scuff it up. i had a 04 seinna van with that type noise, guy has never been back. also scuff the flanges up.

[londonbob]

Have them check the engine mounts...This same problem was on my Vibe, changed the mount that was made undersized and the problem has gone away...They thought at first it was related to the exhaust, but found the engine mount was at fault.Londonbob

[Mavrik]

None of the Vibe owners that bring their Vibes in to me for service have ever complained about rattles... however if any do I will keep these area in mind to check for noises. Hey London Bob.

[iburgess]

I've had a rattle on sharp bumps coming from the front right side of the car too. Had it in a few days ago and they cleaned and lubed the upper strut mount. Haven't confirmed 100% yet, but I think this has solved the rattling.CHEERS!