Clunking noise help

[MotoX16]

Hey guys,

I recently picked up a 2017 brz PP and am hearing a clunking noise coming from the rear I can't seem to locate. Car is all stock with just over 15k miles.

Noise is present going over bumps at low speeds (under 50) and seems to go away at highway speeds. It's definitely coming from the rear, more so the passenger side but sometimes the driver's side as well. It's sounds like something is loose and clunking around.

When I had winter tires put on I asked the dealer to check out the rear suspension and they didn't find anything loose, and of course couldnt hear the noise. I don't know how because it's there literally every time I drive the car. I tried folding down the rear seats thinking it may be the latches. The noise got louder so I assume it's coming from the trunk area. I noticed my spare tire wasn't snug and the trunk tools we're a little rattly. I tightened down my spare and added a bunch a weather stripping to the underside of the foam tool holders. Noise didn't get any better.

I know brz's are kind of famous for interior rattles but this just seems ridiculous. It's my understanding that tsb 12-140-12 is only for early models but I wanted to hear if you guys had any other suggestions. My nest step is going to be removing the spare and tools all together. Which I'm actually hoping doesn't work because I'd rather have that stuff in my car.

Sorry for the novel but thanks in advance for any help!

[HKz]

eh interior rattles aren't really a big issue either...if you don't feel any mechanical hindrance while you're driving then just get a louder exhaust or else you're gonna be wasting your time looking for these things on a platform where low NVH wasn't a priority..

[MotoX16]

Originally Posted by HKz

eh interior rattles aren't really a big issue either...if you don't feel any mechanical hindrance while you're driving then just get a louder exhaust or else you're gonna be wasting your time looking for these things on a platform where low NVH wasn't a priority..

Interior rattles don't bother me too much. There are a couple small ones here and there and I can live with them. But this is a decently loud clunk. Almost like the spare is bouncing around or a strut is blown.

Granted it is winter and Minnesota roads are crappy, going through neighborhoods or small towns is pretty bumpy.

[Ultramaroon]

Check your rear sway bushings and end links. Seems way too new for anything to be worn but...


If they are nice and tight, check the shock top mounts. Can't do that while the car is on a lift. I'd be really surprised if either are loose but you never know.


Oh, lastly, someone mentioned a loose third brake light fixture. Check that too.

[MotoX16]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Check your rear sway bushings and end links. Seems way too new for anything to be worn but...


If they are nice and tight, check the shock top mounts. Can't do that while the car is on a lift. I'd be really surprised if either are loose but you never know.


Oh, lastly, someone mentioned a loose third brake light fixture. Check that too.

Thanks! I'll check these things out and report back

[LimitedSlip]

1. Is the rear seat-back fully latched in the upright position on both sides?

2. If you lower the rear seat-back and go for a drive does the sound change?

[Silverz]

It’s not the seat belt clip banging against the panel?

[MotoX16]

Originally Posted by LimitedSlip

1. Is the rear seat-back fully latched in the upright position on both sides?

2. If you lower the rear seat-back and go for a drive does the sound change?

Rear seats are fully locked. Lowering them only makes the sound louder

[MotoX16]

Originally Posted by Silverz

It’s not the seat belt clip banging against the panel?

I don't think so, sounds like it's further back than the belts. But I'll double check

[MotoX16]

Here's a link to a video I took of the noise this morning:

Tried securing the seat belts and that didn't work. I will try looking at the suggested suspension components this weekend when I have some time

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by MotoX16

Here's a link to a video I took of the noise this morning:

Tried securing the seat belts and that didn't work. I will try looking at the suggested suspension components this weekend when I have some time

I'd suggest you check the brakes (make sure the calipers are bolted down tight).


humfrz

[ermax]

Originally Posted by MotoX16

Here's a link to a video I took of the noise this morning:

Tried securing the seat belts and that didn't work. I will try looking at the suggested suspension components this weekend when I have some time

From the sound of you video I am 100% certain this sound is coming from the EPS unit. Sounds exactly like mine. It can be hard to isolate. Sometimes it sounds like it's coming from the rear sometimes it sounds like it's coming from the passenger footwell. My son would be in the car and while I am saying it sounds like it's coming from his footwell he is telling me it's coming from my footwell. Eventually I narrowed it down to the EPS unit which is mounted to the steering column right behind the dash. The EPS seems to only make sounds at parking lot speeds and over very small but sharp bumps like road reflectors.

This morning on the way to work I wanted to find a nice long stretch of reflectors and cut the ignition while going over them to see if the sound stops when the EPS loses power but with traffic and all I didn't get a good chance. If this method works it would be a good way to prove if EPS is the source.

I have a 2013 with 97K on it. When I got the car it had 83k and didn't make this noise. It started after my first autox and suspect it was due to the high loads put on the EPS when autoxing. My car is completely stock suspension wise.

Here are some videos from the EPS thread which give good examples of how it sounds:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgCXPEGruRs[/ame]

And this one when hard braking:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SO_5JbGiig[/ame]

[MotoX16]

Originally Posted by ermax

From the sound of you video I am 100% certain this sound is coming from the EPS unit. Sounds exactly like mine. It can be hard to isolate. Sometimes it sounds like it's coming from the rear sometimes it sounds like it's coming from the passenger footwell. My son would be in the car and while I am saying it sounds like it's coming from his footwell he is telling me it's coming from my footwell. Eventually I narrowed it down to the EPS unit which is mounted to the steering column right behind the dash. The EPS seems to only make sounds at parking lot speeds and over very small but sharp bumps like road reflectors.

This morning on the way to work I wanted to find a nice long stretch of reflectors and cut the ignition while going over them to see if the sound stops when the EPS loses power but with traffic and all I didn't get a good chance. If this method works it would be a good way to prove if EPS is the source.

I have a 2013 with 97K on it. When I got the car it had 83k and didn't make this noise. It started after my first autox and suspect it was due to the high loads put on the EPS when autoxing. My car is completely stock suspension wise.

Here are some videos from the EPS thread which give good examples of how it sounds:

And this one when hard braking:

Wow, this noise sounds almost identical to mine. However, I do not think this is my issue.

I am fairly confident my noise is coming from the rear. On my way to lunch I pulled my EPS fuse. It was a beast to turn but my noise was still present.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by MotoX16

Wow, this noise sounds almost identical to mine. However, I do not think this is my issue.

I am fairly confident my noise is coming from the rear. On my way to lunch I pulled my EPS fuse. It was a beast to turn but my noise was still present.

Well disabling EPS was just a theory, I'm not convinced the noise would go away. I will pull my fuse later and see what happens.

I have had problems with my passenger seat rattling, I know others have already pointed that out but have you tried reclining it and then forcing it all way back so it is pressed firmly against the rear seat. This should remove any free play have and maybe solve the sound.