Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise

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Tue 4 Feb 2020 11:00
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - Dione84
Just bought a used car which passed its mot with flying colours, but have noticed a knocking/rattling noise coming from the front end, it’s mainly when driving at 40-50 mph and taking foot off accelerator that I hear it although sometimes when braking too. I took the car back to garage where their mechanics put it up on ramps and couldn’t find any issues but I said it’s when the car is being driven that it occurs so I’ve to take it in tomorrow and leave with them. I just wanted to see if anyone had heard this noise before or any idea what it is as the garage are saying ‘it’s maybe because it’s cold or because I’ve went from a petrol to a diesel’ I just want to be prepared and throw some suggestions at them what it could be. Below is a YouTube link to the noise as I don’t think I can upload a video here.

youtu.be/DdU_A_jr2pg
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Tue 4 Feb 2020 11:30
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - gordonbennet

Assuming its not a rattle in the dashboard, i'd be looking at steering column and rack security, all suspension joints/springs, brake caliper security, check wheel bolts and check wheel bearings.

My money however is on maybe anti roll bar bushes, but more likely drop links (usually connecting anti roll bar to bottom control arm), these can appear to have no wear at all when you check them yet replace them and that fine knocking magically disappears, thankfully drop links are usually extremely cheap and a doddle to replace so if nothing else is found i'd be inclined to swap them out anyway.

Its nothing at all to do with going form a petrol to a Diesel, that's eyewash and they know it.

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Tue 4 Feb 2020 12:36
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - Dione84

Thanks so much for replying it’s funny you mention the anti roll bar bushes as on 2 previous mots below is what came up as advisory but on the latest mot this year the car passed with no advisories so I had assumed it was fixed. Would it not have failed an mot again if they were still an issue?

  • January 2019
  • Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
  • Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement droplink


  • January 2018
  • Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
  • Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2
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Tue 4 Feb 2020 12:38
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - bathtub tom

Has anyone checked the wheel nuts?

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Tue 4 Feb 2020 13:16
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - gordonbennet

Seeing those advisories, which are suggestions to get something that is deteriorating fixed, they should be all the clues needed for those 'mechanics' to fix the rattles.

Off the top of my head i'd say £40 in parts and an hour tops for them to replace both drop links and both anti roll bar bushes, so they shouldn't by trying any tactics on to shoo you away to somewhere else to fix the problem, an issue that was obviously there before you bought the car.

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Tue 4 Feb 2020 23:00
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - Railroad.

I would also suggest the noise could be the droplinks. You'd be amazed at how even the tiniest amount of play in them amplifies when you drive over the smallest bumps in the road.

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Fri 7 Feb 2020 09:15
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - Dione84
So just got car back after forwarding on your message to the garage, again they said they can’t hear the noise and think it’s just diesel rattle but would go on what you said and went ahead and changed the drop links, on way home it’s still making the exact same noise :(
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Fri 7 Feb 2020 09:26
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - gordonbennet

Presumably they've checked everything else mentioned?, it was quite a list, if they have and everything is solid and no signs of wear it's going to be a case of letting it develop until the play or wear is obvious.

Did they change the anti roll bar bushes out at the same time? as that's what the previous MOT advisories were for, though to be fair it could be links or bushes as not specifically stated.

Edited by gordonbennet on 07/02/2020 at 09:42

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Fri 7 Feb 2020 14:37
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - Dione84
They actually just focused on the middle of your email (a quick skim) so all they done was change the drop links, my husband went in today not having any of it, the sales woman said the mechanics checked the bushes but they looked ok, my husband again referred to your email and said they might look ok but could be what’s causing the noise, she said she would get them to change them though just to see. Give them their due they reassured us they will get to the bottom of it but not very settling they are just going on what we say rather than to investigate thoroughly themselves
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Fri 7 Feb 2020 16:29
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - gordonbennet
Give them their due they reassured us they will get to the bottom of it but not very settling they are just going on what we say rather than to investigate thoroughly themselves

It is rather surprising, i'd have thought a short run up the road, you or your husband driving the mechanic and he should soon have an idea where the noise is coming from.

Hope you get it sorted, and thanks for updating, i think we'd all like to know what the problem is.

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Fri 7 Feb 2020 18:34
Renault Captur - Knocking/rattling noise - sammy1

Post deleted as the OP complained abouit it as offensive.

Edited by Avant on 08/02/2020 at 20:22

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