Mechanical rattling proportional to vehicle speed from front diff region

[Greg P]

Hope this turns out to be nothing serious !
1/2 mile away from home tonight and noticed a mechanical rattling noise that seemed proportional to speed rather than engine revs. Initially thought it might have been radio interference but it carried on when the radio was off. It was present in all gears and only stopped when I stopped the car (with engine still running). No warning lights came on or anything, but I'm fearing it may be some sort of failure in the front diff, since that's where the mechanical noise seemed to be coming from. It was there on straights or turning. Looked under the car to see whether I had picked anything up from the road, but cant see anything. Will be on the phone to dealer first thing of course.

[Greg P]

Panic over I think/hope. Took her out this morning this morning and the problem was persisting for a few minutes and then with some moderately heavy braking and wheel wiggling, the noise seems to have cleared completely now. My conclusion - stone in the nearside disk assembly (rattle/vibratation due to them being drilled). Seemed more inboard from sat inside the car, but I'm pretty confident that was all it was. Fingers crossed

[ldye]

The day I picked up my car and during the first drive I had noise similar to what you described. Was a ticking/clicking and would change with ground speed. After couple hours of looking for various things a tech happened to walk past while car on lift running in 1st gear and heard the noise. It was the parking brake caliper. A adjustment and it went away. I have since heard it a few times. I think using the hill assist causes it to act up.

[Greg P]

The day I picked up my car and during the first drive I had noise similar to what you described. Was a ticking/clicking and would change with ground speed. After couple hours of looking for various things a tech happened to walk past while car on lift running in 1st gear and heard the noise. It was the parking brake caliper. A adjustment and it went away. I have since heard it a few times. I think using the hill assist causes it to act up.

The parking brake will be on the rear wheels I guess - this was definitely front end of vehicle - I just thought at the time it was more midships rather than wheel based. Another days driving and the noise has thankfully stayed away.