Ok, have been putting up with this rattle for a few months now. Mostly on uphills under tough engine strain, it makes a metallic vibrating sound, almost like dragging a chain behind the car.

For the most part eliminated the timing chain, since it doesn't happen unless you are accelerating with a real heavy foot, nothing during idle, or any other time.

Took the car to a mechanic, NOT the dealer, and he put it up on the lift and took a look around the exhaust. Near the front of the exhaust, where the two pipes come down, change into expansion joints (braided metal wires covering round-ish compartments) and then merge into one pipe, then to the cat converter. The braided metal around the expansion joints are fraying around the back, and it looks like thats the problem.

Easy enough to fix those covers, except the mechanic doesn't think its a good idea to cut and weld new ones in that location, and unfortunately the he only way to replace those things, are to order the new $600 part leading from the two pipes, all the way to the catalytic converter.

Rather than pay this, I'd rather see if anyone else had an idea as to how to replace those metal covers without breaking the bank.

 

tons of threads on this i think

most likely an exhaust shield

 

Most likely your gusset. It broke on my car also. http://www.6thgenmaxima.org/forums/v...ghlight=gusset

 

pics would help

 

Went under her today, and it looks to me like that "gusset" a.k.a. a bracket holding the pipes to the car is cracked around the bolt. Could visually and physically notice it, there is definately a break. My only question is that i couldn't move make it move around that crack just by using my hand. Is it possible that the noise from it would only be created by engine vibration and the weight shifted during an uphill climb?

 

Dude,

The amount of load that your tranny places upon the car would far exceed any force you could generate. If there is any possibility of "play" between parts, it will rattle.

Take some pics next time so dudes know where to find this "snake in the grass" rattle.

Good luck.

 

Thanks, wanted to take pictures but with the angle and very very poor lighting it didn't come up as noticeable. But good to know the bracket is most likely the problem (beats $500+ in parts and labor!!) $17 bracket is a much better option. Calling the mechanic tomorrow to see when it can go on the lift.

 

That's exactly what happened to mine glad that was the problem and not something more expensive.

 

Yup. When I first heard it I first thought timing chain, didn't like the price. Then thought exhaust piping issue, price better but still awful, and as soon as I looked up the bracket I was so pumped. Can't wait to get it replaced and hear nothing but that engine!

 

Just wanna double check if anybody knows for sure, is the part number for that bracket 20711P?

 

I've been gettin the rattling too on my 5th gen. (when going uphill while accelerating. )
Is this a problem i need to fix asap? or can i let it rattle forever?

 

Anyone have pics underneath of their 2005 5AT? The TSB's referred to are a bit confusing, I don't believe I have the gussets mentioned, hopefully I will be checking the heat shield on the bank 1 cat if it is dis bonding.

 

If the heat shields are just rattling, take some stainless steel safety wire and wrap it around them, that will keep it from rattling and having to replace the pipe if it's in good condition.

Does it do this only under load? What octane gas are you using? Could be detonation.

 

It only happens when I accelerate, the car is at a low rpm range. I use only premium fuel, so I don't believe it is pinging. The sound seems like it is coming from underneath. After I used the clamps on the heat shields the sound has been drastically reduced. Now i'm going to check if I have a front gusset, and the bank 1 cat heat shield. Now that I know where exactly to look i'll be able to take pics as well, but engine pinging on premium fuel on a car that has only 53000K is unlikely.

 

take the bracket off. mine hasnt rattled since and the mechanic said its not necessary to keep on the car. you might notice a hairline crack next to one of the bolt holes, its so small but makes such a loud noise.

 

I had this EXACT problem on my 06 and I let it rattle for a year before trying to figure out what it was.... what a mistake. I ended up putting the car on jacks in my garage and getting under it finally. Then I went straight to the heat shield over the exhaust pipe. There were 2 screw clamps that had rusted completly through, and needed to be replaced to hold the heat shield in place and to avoid the rattle. I went and spent 2 bucks on a couple clamps came home and spent 10 minutes putting them on. And now..... YAY! no rattle!! I put up with that annoying crap for an entire YEAR, and all it took was 2 bucks, and 15 minutes of my time. Good luck!

 

Finally got around to it today, it was the gusset connected underneath to one of the y-pipe outlets like in other pics. I also checked the bank 1 cat, and the heat shield is not moving or anything. What I still wouldn't mind knowing is what makes noise behind the engine compartment on the passenger side? I hear something pumping for some reason when I turn off the engine, or let the fuel inject coast on a parking lot.