Pclancy
Active Member
Gentlemen:
My Newport has recently developed a rattle which I believe to be coming from the trunk. (I have checked all the mechanicals). It is a metal on metal rattle, not super loud but loud enough to be annoying. It happens when the car goes over bumps and small road imperfections. On smooth road, no noise. I ask your kind help in thinking this through. Here are my possible theories-- all based on the trunk lid and/or hinges:
First, the trunk skin (on the outside in the middle parts) seems to be disconnected from anything. You press down, there is a very small but noticeable void and then you hit a frame or cross bar (or something). Toward the edges, on the trailing edge and along the fenders, it is tight--no movement of the outside skin. Just the soft spots in the middle of the rear trunk lid, on either side of the little crease down the middle.
Was there supposed to be something inside which filled things out? Is this the source of the rattle--the outside skin banging against an inner frame or x-bar?
I have seen little black pieces of something on the trunk floor. See the photo below. They are not metal but resemble dried out----undercoating or insulation? I do not think they are parts of the cardboard trunk trim. Is there a connection with my first theory above? They could have dropped from any number of holes (hinge and light holes, for example)
If you look at the photo of the inside trunk lid, you will see a rubber/plastic port on the left side. It comes off, and there is a hole. Did Chrysler put this in, or did some PO drill it? For undercoating?
I also show a picture of the trunk hinge. This seems to be a potential rattle spot. The hinges work well but they do not seem super tight in their sockets. The picture alas does not show it well.
If you want to know all about the car, search for 77 Newport in BAT. I bought that car.
The car is absolutely rust free.
Sorry to bother you about this, but the thought occurred to me that I might not be the first guy to have this issue?
Thanks
My Newport has recently developed a rattle which I believe to be coming from the trunk. (I have checked all the mechanicals). It is a metal on metal rattle, not super loud but loud enough to be annoying. It happens when the car goes over bumps and small road imperfections. On smooth road, no noise. I ask your kind help in thinking this through. Here are my possible theories-- all based on the trunk lid and/or hinges:
First, the trunk skin (on the outside in the middle parts) seems to be disconnected from anything. You press down, there is a very small but noticeable void and then you hit a frame or cross bar (or something). Toward the edges, on the trailing edge and along the fenders, it is tight--no movement of the outside skin. Just the soft spots in the middle of the rear trunk lid, on either side of the little crease down the middle.
Was there supposed to be something inside which filled things out? Is this the source of the rattle--the outside skin banging against an inner frame or x-bar?
I have seen little black pieces of something on the trunk floor. See the photo below. They are not metal but resemble dried out----undercoating or insulation? I do not think they are parts of the cardboard trunk trim. Is there a connection with my first theory above? They could have dropped from any number of holes (hinge and light holes, for example)
If you look at the photo of the inside trunk lid, you will see a rubber/plastic port on the left side. It comes off, and there is a hole. Did Chrysler put this in, or did some PO drill it? For undercoating?
I also show a picture of the trunk hinge. This seems to be a potential rattle spot. The hinges work well but they do not seem super tight in their sockets. The picture alas does not show it well.
If you want to know all about the car, search for 77 Newport in BAT. I bought that car.
The car is absolutely rust free.
Sorry to bother you about this, but the thought occurred to me that I might not be the first guy to have this issue?
Thanks
Right Stan? Lol
