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MG MGA - Mystery rattle/s

I had been irritated for years by a rattle in the front off side of my MGA. It sounded for all the world like a 5/8" nut was rattling around inside the bottom of the front guard.
After my unfortunate accident a couple of years ago the guards (and whole lot of other things) came off. To my disappointment, I failed to find any loose hardware.
Then a few months back I noticed a side comment Steve Gyles made about the collar for the starter pinion rattling on his car. A check and a poke under my car confirmed this to be the likely culprit on my car too! A new starter pinion solved the problem! Hooray, blessed relief!! Thank you Mr Gyles!

BUT, now I'm irritated by another rattle! A more lightweight tinkling rattle. It seems to be coming from further back, probably behind the driver, and again on the off side. So far I've not found the source. Any suggestions?

And BTW thanks one and all for the comments about the rear view mirror recently posted here. I've been wondering for a while what to do. I had previously bought one mirror for the windscreen frame from Moss, but the design precluded the use of the side curtains. I've just ordered a Desmo mirror (from an Australian supplier).
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Oval-Mirror-Desmo-oval-mirror-No-263-Chrome-on-all-Brass-/172078364500?hash=item2810ab7754:g:wKwAAOSwyZ5Umy-I
Hopefully this will prove as satisfactory as others have found it to be.
T Aczel

Tom

I think I will quit while I'm ahead! But there again could it be seat belt shackles rattling? Washers/nuts/coins migrated into the door through the door card storage gap?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks Steve, but I'm afraid not. While I appreciate that elusive sounds can be deceptive regarding from where they arise, I'm certain that the rattle is definitely coming from outside the cabin. Maybe back axle related?
I'll have to go all over things again when the car is next up on the hoist.
When (and if) I finally track it down, I'll report back.
T Aczel

Tom
do you think that it could just be the normal starter bendix "jingle" that every MGA that I have ever owned has?

It becomes more noticeable as the engine revs increase towards the next upwards gearchange but it is not the sort of noise that spoils the MGA experience or that you need to worry about.

I am just about to fit a pre-engaged starter to my car and I expect the "jingle" will be gone once it has been installed.

I will let you know if this is the case in a couple of weeks when the engine goes back in.

Colyn

I
c firth

Locaating the true source of sounds or rattles can be deceiving.
I had a 1954 VW Beetle that would SNAP=Crackle-Pop on left turns. Sound was from right rear.Straght ahead or right turns was perfectly normal.
Naturaly I suspected the RH rear wheel bearing.On that model the transmission had to be pulled to change bearings. The result showed no difference so out with the transmission one more time replacing the left one. Noise was still there.
Then one day with the VW on a lift I spun the left front wheel. It gave a clicking sound. On pulling the wheel I found that the upper portion of the inner bearing race was severely galled. The pressure on that bearing was transferred to the top of the inner bearing during a left turn and replacing it cured my problem.
Sandy
Sandy

One of the pipes running on the chassis rails loose in its mounting, or a loose P clip.
dominic clancy

Please don't overlook the obvious in the boot!

After removing an obsolete CD deck player from the right rear corner in the trunk of a C280, and throwing a wool carpet across the cavity, the car developed a consistent loud thunk only while turning left. Took it to my mechanic's shop and we went for a ride. "Sounds serious", better leave it to put up on the lift.

Later in the day he calls, reporting they removed a full 24oz "oil can" of Fosters from the same cavity! End of problem

Enjoyed the laugh, no charge, and good libation. Fosters Green. I wonder if it's related to VB?

Ted
Ted Persons

All corners of the MGA rattled, clunked, chimed (not in tune)

The much needed fix(es) was complete suspension rebuild. The car is better than new! The rear leaf springs were saved, refinished and repacked. Tube shock conversion on the rear. Tighter and lower MGB coil springs on the front. Repacked sway bar. Lots of details, but well worth the effort. Sits low, flat, and solid, handles beautifully. Used Moss bits, the red ones on the rear.

Didn't find any Fosters in the boot but have carried a few. Ironic, it's brewed here

Ted
Ted Persons

This thread was discussed between 22/02/2016 and 05/03/2016

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