HELP! Rattling / Creaking from suspension in the back!

[KGBkid]

I drive an Echo hatch and it has started making a weird creaking noise (sometimes it's almost a rattling noise) when taking sharp corners or coming to a more abrupt stop. The service center is closed today, but does anyone have any idea what this could be or what kind of maintenance I'll have to face?

[rvs007]

Hi KGBkid,

I just joined the forum, and noticed your post. We bought a Echo Hatch in August and since day one we've noticed that same noise coming from the rear passenger corner. I've taken the car into the dealership twice to have it checked out. The noise is still there.

Did you bring the car in and were they able to get rid of the noise?

[echo_hrs]

Is it lowered?

Does it have wider or aftermarket alloys?

Does it have the Borla Exhaust Kit?

Any other suspension mods?

All of these could cause the potential problem you are describing, or is it stock?

Cheers

[rvs007]

The car is completely stock. I'm noticing that there is more rattle now that the weather is colder. The rattle is mostly when I back out of my driveway, making turns at low speeds, or driving on an uneven road with bumps on the right side of the car.

[05_Echo]

I would go to your local service department and explain the problem and ask if you can take a Tech for a ride so you can point out the problem when it occurs. I find that this is the best way to get the problem solved. Unless this is a common problem and then I'm sure that they will know as soon as you tell them.

[rvs007]

Thanks for the suggestion 05_Echo. I've already had the problem checked out by the service department twice. The second time the technician came riding with us and he heard the rattle too. He tried fixing the problem as best he could but the rattle returned. So now I'll have to find another free weekend and bring the car in for the third time.

[05_Echo]

Another thought, maybe have them check the bushings and the coil spring. There isn't really much else it could be other than your muffler/exhaust system. I test drove a used VW Golf a couple of months back and it had a wierd rattle and thats what it turned out to be was the exhaust system but that was the least of that cars problems..

[rvs007]

Thanks for your suggestions. I will mention that to the service dept. the next time I bring the car in (probably next week).

[blkRSgirl]

for the last while i kept noticing a really annoying squeaking noise coming from the back of my RS, but somehow noticed that when there was stuff in my trunk, it would cease... when my trunk was empty, even closing the doors hard enough would result in the squeaky sound... if this is you, flip up your rear seats, flip up the trunk mat to your spare tire board, and turn the dial more to the right (clockwise to tighten)... if this is loose, the screw will constantly jiggle and squeak.

[rvs007]

Hi everyone,

I just want to post a follow-up on my rattling problem.

I'm happy to say the Toyota tech resolved the problem! We took a drive out with him in the car (the second time). This time he suggested we fold down the seat. Once it was down, the rattling noise was completely gone.

So he thought it was probably the latch securing the seat in place. It wasn't striking properly and so it was rattling when we go over bumps on the road.

So now the noise is gone after he adjusted the latch assembly and lubricated everything. I haven't folded down the seat to see if the noise would return but we're happy to drive without that annoying noise now.

[05_Echo]

Thats cool, glad to hear you got your rattle fixed. I have one in my Echo, it's the airbox under the hood and they can't fix the problem. Oh well when the warrenties gone I'll have to try and find a cold air intake for it...

[wader]

Oil the latch on pass. side rear seat. I also had to put foam between tools and hard board covering spare and on top of styrofoam.(It is squeeky . )