BIGUN 1,482 #26 March 20, 2008 Quote Edited to add: that was my 2000 post...and I wasted it on this thread Priceless Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kschilk 0 #27 March 20, 2008 Quote replacing a ball joint needlessly because someone guessed it was your noise....not quite priceless...... $189.95 the look on the master mechanic's face as he/she changes it...priceless The look on the customer's face, when they get a bill for computer scan & diagnostics....to replace a ball joint!?!!!........Horrified!!!!! "T'was ever thus." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Misternatural 0 #28 March 20, 2008 It's the muffler bearing, ask the mechanic to grease the muffler bearing.Beware of the collateralizing and monetization of your desires. D S #3.1415 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #29 March 20, 2008 Quote Quote is there a snake attached to the rattle ? I heard they could be dangerous. Snakes are more afraid of you then you are of them... sheesh... doesn't everyone know that... am I THAT ugly ? scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #30 March 20, 2008 Dude! It's a Protoge! The factory screwed up. The rattle was supposed to be there when you bought it and it's just now showing up???? Take it back to the dealer. Trade it in on a Ford...they are good at getting all the rattles built-in from the get-go. But, I digress... The rattle comes from that last baby carriage you ran over.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #31 March 20, 2008 Quote Dude! It's a Protoge! The factory screwed up. The rattle was supposed to be there when you bought it and it's just now showing up???? Take it back to the dealer. Trade it in on a Ford...they are good at getting all the rattles built-in from the get-go. You are aware that Mazda is owned by Ford right? Thanks for the all the feed back both the useful and the strange... Perhaps now when I take it to the mechanic (which was the plan from the get go...) I'll have a better idea about the components they are referring to when he tells me what's broken... of course I'm suspicious that the mechanic is likely to be as stumped as I am... but that's just my opinion... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #32 March 20, 2008 Quote Dude! It's a Protoge! The factory screwed up. The rattle was supposed to be there when you bought it and it's just now showing up???? Take it back to the dealer. Trade it in on a Ford...they are good at getting all the rattles built-in from the get-go. But, I digress... The rattle comes from that last baby carriage you ran over. you're going to hell, boy. Hey, not all Proteges are shit. We have a 1996 model still going strong. 4000 more miles to reach 200,000 miles! "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #33 March 20, 2008 Quote Quote Dude! It's a Protoge! The factory screwed up. The rattle was supposed to be there when you bought it and it's just now showing up???? Take it back to the dealer. Trade it in on a Ford...they are good at getting all the rattles built-in from the get-go. But, I digress... The rattle comes from that last baby carriage you ran over. you're going to hell, boy. Hey, not all Proteges are shit. We have a 1996 model still going strong. 4000 more miles to reach 200,000 miles! It rattles, too... you just can't hear it!! Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #34 March 20, 2008 Quote Hey, not all Proteges are shit. We have a 1996 model still going strong. 4000 more miles to reach 200,000 miles! You live in Alabama! It wouldn't last as long on paved roadsYou are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidB 0 #35 March 21, 2008 If you can replicate the noise by bouncing the front end, that's the FIRST place to start in your diagnosis. If you can HEAR it while someone bounces the car, then you can CAREFULLY feel around to see if you can feel which component is making the noise. Of course, the first thing to is remove the hub caps if you have them. They quite often are the source of some very strange noises. If you have "styled" wheels (no caps), make sure the wheel center isn't the source of your noise. After that, the more likely places to look are: Worn sway bar bushings, & worn shock/strut mounts. Another thought... Pull that wheel off & make sure there isn't a shield for the brake disc coming loose or, worse, rotting away. Good luck!When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #36 March 21, 2008 Thanks David... I have no hubcaps... The car has alloy wheels and unfortunately I have been unsuccessful in reproducing the sound in the driveway while the car isn't moving. Removing the tire and tapping everything lightly with a rubber mallet (as well as wiggling things such as the sway bar/various components in the suspension and steering control system with my hand.) doesn't seem to reveal anything to be loose. Nothing apears to be excessively worn an everything appears to be tight (which is obviously not the case) it is going to be looked at by a mechanic soon (fortunately as the weather warms I can bike to work).Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #37 March 22, 2008 QuoteDude! It's a Protoge! The factory screwed up. The rattle was supposed to be there when you bought it and it's just now showing up???? Take it back to the dealer. Trade it in on a Ford...they are good at getting all the rattles built-in from the get-go. But, I digress... The rattle comes from that last baby carriage you ran over. 1st part - I agree. Will not buy American cars anytime soon. 2nd - when I saw the thread title I thought he was announcing that we was going to be a father. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godfrog 2 #38 March 22, 2008 have a freind hang from the bottom of the car while you drive around, should be able to locate that rattle that way!Experience is a difficult teacher, she gives you the test first and the lesson afterward Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godfrog 2 #39 March 22, 2008 what does the rattle sound like? metal against metal, like something loose or a worn bushing, or is it more like a scraping sound, does it happen at faster or slower speeds, more on a smooth or a rougher road? take a drive and have a freind move around in the car and see if they can figure out where the sound is coming from.....Experience is a difficult teacher, she gives you the test first and the lesson afterward Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azdiver 0 #40 March 23, 2008 could be something in the dash somewhere have had a few things comes lose and bounce around in therelight travels faster than sound, that's why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kschilk 0 #41 March 23, 2008 Quote have a freind hang from the bottom of the car while you drive around, should be able to locate that rattle that way! That's why creepers have wheels. "T'was ever thus." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #42 April 10, 2008 Well...what was the problem????? I need closure!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #43 April 10, 2008 Quote Well...what was the problem????? I need closure!!! Well, you're just going to have to suffer!!!Just kidding... it was the Sway bar link on the left front... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #44 April 10, 2008 From the thread title, I thought you might need a proctologist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #45 April 10, 2008 Quote From the thread title, I thought you might need a proctologist. No... I'm hoping to avoid that... at least until I turn 40... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #46 April 10, 2008 Quote Quote Well...what was the problem????? I need closure!!! Well, you're just going to have to suffer!!!Just kidding... it was the Sway bar link on the left front... Thanks for the thread. My car has developed something similar to what you describe. Metal on metal noise (like quarters hitting together) when it travels over uneven surfaces. Left front only. I took it to the mechanic and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Think I'll take it back and make sure they took a look at the sway bar link. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidB 0 #47 April 11, 2008 Quote Quote Well...what was the problem????? I need closure!!! Well, you're just going to have to suffer!!!Just kidding... it was the Sway bar link on the left front... Glad to hear (pun intended) it was something simple & cheap.When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #48 April 11, 2008 Quote Quote Quote Well...what was the problem????? I need closure!!! Well, you're just going to have to suffer!!!Just kidding... it was the Sway bar link on the left front... Glad to hear (pun intended) it was something simple & cheap. Unfortunately I think the left rear sway bar link might also be loose now as well... at least that's sort of where it sounds like it's comming from... Out of curiosity: Does anyone know how difficult it is to change the Transmission Range Sensor in a 97 Mercury Sable? I think it's going out in my Girlfriends car.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #49 April 11, 2008 QuoteOut of curiosity: Does anyone know how difficult it is to change the Transmission Range Sensor in a 97 Mercury Sable? I think it's going out in my Girlfriends car. It's not hard at all if you have some common sence and mechanical ability......just dont break the shift shaft and make sure its adjusted properly once installed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #50 April 11, 2008 QuoteQuoteOut of curiosity: Does anyone know how difficult it is to change the Transmission Range Sensor in a 97 Mercury Sable? I think it's going out in my Girlfriends car. It's not hard at all if you have some common sence and mechanical ability......just dont break the shift shaft and make sure its adjusted properly once installed.I have a modicome of mechanical abilty (what can I say I played with Legos as a kid.) I'll go to the library tonight (or sometime) and find a Chiltons manual... and see if I think it will be a manageble task. If not I'll take it to a mechanic I trust.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
