BMWE46 - 320d - Strange rattling noise

[Splash]

If anyone can assist, I would really appreciate it. On my E46 320d (2005) I have strange rattling noise at the left rear. It sounds like metal against metal, asif something is loose, but I checked everything I can think of, and found nothing. It gets a bit irritating especially on bumpy roads. I checked the rear brakes, the shocks, all the bolts I could see under the car, the differential, but the noise is still there. At first I thought it was the rear bumper, but it is tight and I also ruled that out as the culprit. It is also not the exhaust, I checked all the hangers and they all in good nick. I don't know where to look anymore............

 

[Hellas]

It just might be the exhaust. I had that same noise, especially when idling. The innards of the rear box rattling. It happens when the exhaust is out of alignment. Funny but true. I just added another solid bracket and everything was quiet.

 

[///Moose]

You probably have checked this if youve checked brakes but is the anti-rattle clip in place that holds the brake pad?

 

[Splash]

You probably have checked this if youve checked brakes but is the anti-rattle clip in place that holds the brake pad?

I also thought it was the clips, but they are in place. The sound is not a deep thumping noise, more like a small piece of metal rattling against another piece of metal. I am really clueless as to where to look next.

---

It just might be the exhaust. I had that same noise, especially when idling. The innards of the rear box rattling. It happens when the exhaust is out of alignment. Funny but true. I just added another solid bracket and everything was quiet.

What I've done is to kick the rear silencer while someone else is listening for the noise, and it is quiet. The exhaust bracket and rubbers are in good shape, thus I ruled it out as the cause, I even went so far as to remove the rear bumper and drive the car without it, to make sure it is not the problem, but the noise is still there. It sounds like it is coming from the right rear wheel or wheel arch somewhere, you hear it behind you when sitting at the right rear of the vevicle.

 

[Hellas]

Loose CD changer or amplifier bracket?

 

[Splash]

Loose CD changer or amplifier bracket?

Now there's one thing I never thought off........ The noise is coming from right behind you when sitting at the right, might just be the CD changer being loose. I will go check this out tonight and report back tomorrow. I remember removing it at one stage when I wired in my amplifier, maybe it is not tightened securely.