Rattle Through floor boards

[DotMike]

I think a few people have posted here on this....

I just purchased a 2003 PT CRUISER TOURING...so far I really enjoy driving the vehicle...there was a small rattle I thought on drivers side floor board when I test drove the vehicle but it was so small that I overlooked it. I really did not have time to do a thourough job investigating...I really needed a vehicle asap.

So, once I put in more air in the tires the rattle became worse. Usually the rattle happens over bumps and turning ect...bumps are worse....

Any suggestions what this "MIGHT" be...and

Opinions on cost to repair....and also what do you think my options are with this small dealer?

Thanks for all the advice!

Mike

[quicksilverdon]

Might be exhaust - drive it up on ramps and see if all the rubber "hangers" are there.

[CREWZIN]

Totally agree with QSD. I'm a poet and didn't even know it. Exhaust is probably you problem.

[DotMike]

Thanks again, dealing with mechanics on cars can be challenging...anyone know any good mechanics in Boston Ma who work on PT cruisers AND do a good job

Okay, so, I had 2 mechanics (same garage) drive the car...put the vehicle on a lift and looked underneath....they poked and banged the wheels for sound and movement....the driver side moved very slightly and the passenger tire seemed tight....SO they both agreed it was the lower ball joint....the also noticed the a I think sway bar was welded instead of bolted? But that was not the issue to them...

I am reluctant at this time and will be bringing the car to another mechanic for a second opinion....I thnk knowledge helps us all!

till next time!
Mike

[jkt]

Brake pads can also rattle if they lose the retainer clips, which is common.

Find a bumpy stretch of road, take it at low speed (20 mph), see if it rattles, then lightly apply the brakes and see if the rattle goes away.

I've had this problem on a few vehicles, including my 03 GT with 12,500 miles on it...

Annoying, but harmless.

[DotMike]

UPDATE
Okay, so i finally have brought my PT into DORCHESTER TIRE in DORCHESTER MA...

The rear brakes make this awfull squelling noise/crunching, grinding....so while I had the car in there I asked them to look at the front end because the rattle has been getting worse....

The good news....I do not need rear brakes....

The bad news...the mechanic said that PT CRUISERs rear DRUM BRAKES rust and allow dirt and debris into the drum causing the grinding noise ect...

SOLUTION: REMOVE DRUMS, CLEAN AND MACHINE THE DRUM and replace should take care of this problem...QOATED $80.00 for both drums...I said go ahead...

NOW THE FUN PART

FRONT END...

MECHANICs Opinion:
FONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE GONE
BOTH CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE GONE...and this includes ball joints as part of replacement...Approx 250.00 each side plus tax...

I said GO ahead fix rear drums and replace wheel bearings (Because I do not wish to have a wheel fly off...)

Any opinions...

Car now has 94k ...

Oh, and when it rains...some of my dash electronics and radio do not work...
And a window would not go down/up...

The joy of living with a used car...

Any comments would be greatly appreciated....

Thanks!

Mike

[CREWZIN]

You said it first: "The joy of living with a used car...". You never know how a car was treated by someone else, unless you happen to know the previous owner.

The front wheel bearings have been a problem with a lot of owners. Having to replace more than one set of them. Others have had no problems at all. Kind of interesting on that part of it.

Bushing also wear out as well as ball joints. The part that's interesting on your part is that the sway bar was welded instead of bolted. Sounds like the previous owner was having his own problems.

Your electrics are another problem. Sorry to say but it sounds like the car might have hit flood waters and retitled after it was a right off. Takes a while for water to start affecting things and with brakes, bushings, bearings ball joints all on the lower part of the car, plus the engine fuse box, which might be corroded from the inside.

Hope it's not all that but I'd be prepared for the worst.

[DotMike]

Hey thanks for the feedback ..much appreciated....Hey I figure I paid 3,200 last November and have not put a dime in it...SO So far i am still okay putting in some money....time will tell...2 owners before me but the both seemed to have this vehicle awhile...I used carfax...so i figured some care must have went into this vehicle....

But I did notice that the drivers side and rear panel appear to be a re paint which I did not catch prior...again I need a car quickly. Plus, it looked realy clean and shiny..I AM A SUCKER For pretty things..LOL!

Anyway....thanks again....

[Dino]

Originally Posted by DotMike

Hey thanks for the feedback ..much appreciated....Hey I figure I paid 3,200 last November and have not put a dime in it...SO So far i am still okay putting in some money....time will tell...2 owners before me but the both seemed to have this vehicle awhile...I used carfax...so i figured some care must have went into this vehicle....

But I did notice that the drivers side and rear panel appear to be a re paint which I did not catch prior...again I need a car quickly. Plus, it looked realy clean and shiny..I AM A SUCKER For pretty things..LOL!

Anyway....thanks again....

Mike another thing I'm sure they didn't mention when selling it was that since you have 94,000 that the timing belt and water pump are do at 100k. It's why these cars seem to get sold at just before 100k. It's a big expensive job sorry no way to sugar coat it. It happens with all 4 cylinders but the PT is more expensive because of it's design.