Been getting a metal rattling noise on my R/T for the past couple of years. Always thought it was a loose heat shield. After installing custom low restriction cat back exhaust, it did not resolve this noise. Exhaust shop said everything was tight. Nothing loose.

Took it to my mechanic and he was able to trace the noise to the inside of the transmission bell housing (where the torque converter/flywheel). There is no way to gain access to the inside of that unless the transmission gets removed. So I am reaching out to the community to see if any one had a similar issue like this and what and where is that noise is coming from.

The rattling noise usually occurs between 1800-2200 rpms, then goes away, and comes back again after 3000 rpms and rattles a bit louder as I power up to the 4000 rpms.

The rattling noise does not change with gear changes so I do not suspect the tranny. Mechanic thinks may flywheel is cracked? I drove cars before that had cracked flywheels but does not make a loose rattling sound at certain rpm ranges. Not so bad if very light on throttle, but more noticable when under power acceleration.

Could this be possibly the torque converter making this noise?

I don't want to pay my mechanic for the downtime to drop the tranny for further inspection and then not find anything.

Since I got my new catback exhaust, the rattling noise is a super annoying that can almost drown out the wonderful exhaust note from my single in/dual out flo-pro muffler.

 

You can check the torque converter bolts without taking the transmission off.

 

So you mean you can drop the pan to access the view of the torque convert/flywheel? He said he was not able to see it without dropping the tranny.

Will have to check with him again.

 

You can get to the torque converter bolts by removing the access cover that's on the bell housing. Removing the starter makes them very easy to see as well. You'll just need a breaker bar or something to turn the engine over so you can see each bolt... with the starter off you should be able to get a pretty damn good view of the flexplate to inspect it for cracks as well.

How the does that guy think he's going take off the transmission without taking off the torque converter bolts? You take the torque converter bolts off to get the transmission off, then once it's off you take out the crank bolts to take off the flexplate.

 

thanks I'll check into it. Truck still running well so I need to get this fix before it becomes a major issue.

 

It might actually be something related to the starter.

 

Could be if you're lucky

 

I hope so. But tell me, why would the starter rattle at certain rpm's? rattle more loudly at some rpm range, quieter at other ranges.

Now it is slightly rattling at idle now. Think starter may be loose? I don't feel it lose when cranking? Cranks fine and normal. Do not hear or feel anything funny when starting.

 

We can maybe this maybe that banter all day (month?). Either you or someone else has to dig into with tools, not a keyboard.

 

True. But just wanted to find a direct approach first before I start looking for needle in a haystack situation.