weird rattling noise..?

[cp2295]

hey i got a 99 ranger 3.0 4wd.. i've noticed ever since i've owned the truck (about 7 months)i've noticed a weird rattling noise, it sounds like a heat shield or something, like thin metal hitting another piece of metal or something.. a rattling noise! anyways, it's weird because it only happens around 1800-2200 rpms, in every gear, it always does it in that range, and sometimes around 1300-1500 rpms. it definitely does not sound like a tranny bearing wearing out or anything (although i've never heard one of those, but it does not sound anything like a bearing). i've kind of checked around for loose heat shields, although not too thoroughly so i can't finalize that it's not a heat shield.. does anyone have any idea where i could start looking?? any help is greatly appreciated!! i'm tired of this stupid noise!!

 

[cp2295]

I forgot to mention it only does it while its in gear, can't get it to happen in neutral

 

[bmerr98]

Probably a heat shield somewhere on the exhaust, tho idk why I only does it when it's in gear. Those things are usually just spot welded in place and if one weld breaks a certain frequency will cause it to vibrate. I've taken them off completely before as a quick "fix", though it was put there for a reason...

 

[cp2295]

I figured it might make it rattle more in gear because the frame is being under more load or something related to the truck having more vibration going through it..

 

[wildbill23c]

You may have a flywheel balance problem. Had a dealer screw up a clutch and flywheel on my 1999 Dodge Ram which caused a vibration at different speeds and RPM's.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Slap the cat/s and muffeler with the palm of your hand and see if it rattles. You usually find it when your looking for something else so just start grabbing and wiggleing everything you will eventually find it. Check the inspection plate on the front of the bell housing for loose bolts? It never hurts to grab some wrenches and just start checking all the nuts and bolts you can get to and give them a tug.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I figured it might make it rattle more in gear because the frame is being under more load or something related to the truck having more vibration going through it..

Your exhaust is attached to both the engine and the frame, the engine will torque one way or another if it is under accel or decell.

A couple hose clamps or even a piece of wire (steel wire, not electrical wire) is a cheap and effective fix for a loose heat shield.