kreeghor

I've got a 97 GL that has an rattle when I am at a stop. It can be felt in the steering column. It only does it in drive, reverse and not in neutral or park. I can get it to stop by turning the wheel to a sweet spot. There is also a change in the rpm of the car. It will jump from about 1200 to 700ish rpm when the rattle starts. The car drives fine and has no problems except for this rattle. The rattle sounds like its coming from the area of the cat.

I've checked for loose things under the car. The cat is in there tight, the tie rods are solid. The power steering and transmission fluids are full and fine. The wheels turn fine.

Any suggestions?

thefonz

Have you checked any heat shields along the exhaust system?

Johnny Mullet

I agree. Either the heat shields need new clamps or something inside the cat came apart.

dac122

Did you post that correctly - it goes from 1200 rpm down to 700 rpm when in drive or reverse? That's odd my '97 idles at about 700 rpm (or a little lower) when in driver/reverse. Idle at neutral is at 8-900.

Also, don't forget to check you engine mounts. Best way - see if you have excessive engine tippings when going into drive/reverse. That will put pressure on all sorts of parts to make noise. Had my '97 done at 90K miles. I think they were pretty common problem on this generation.

If you get stuck and cannot find the problem, repost and I can measure my tipping distance on my '97.