So if you have a rattle which is not related to the drop links, it is probably likely it's the plastic shield which covers the Driveshaft at the bottom of the car in the centre of the engine bay.
0/ get some space underneath the car so you can get to the undertray (if you have one).
1/ you need to remove the undertray, if you have one.
2/ Locate and test the shield, if it rattles and the bolts are tight it needs repairing.
3/ Remove the shield with a 16mm socket (with 50mm extension) by removing the two 16mm bolts.
4/ I thoroughly cleaned the shield with WD40.
5/ Check the play in the two double ended washer, mine had 3mm on one side where the plastic rubbed against the metal, the other side had 1.5mm play.
6/ In order to remove the washer I got a Dremel tool and carefully wore down one side till I could push it through the hole.
7/ I went to Halfords and bought two electrical rubber washers for 40p and fitted them into the hole where the metal washers were, thankfully the extra wear and play one of the holes had was taken up with the rubber washer.
8/ I checked the fit was OK with the original 16mm bolts.
9/ I reused the metal washers I cut out behind the shield in the bolts for spacers by rubbing them down to flat profile with a slight lip. I used my Dremel but a belt sander would have made a better job.
10/ Refitted the shield and gave it a flick to check to see if there was a rattle. Nope. All good.
Hopefully this will prevent the rubbing on the plastic so much and if it starts rattling again I can get another couple of replacement rubber washers from Halfords.
I hope this was helpful.
0/ get some space underneath the car so you can get to the undertray (if you have one).
1/ you need to remove the undertray, if you have one.
2/ Locate and test the shield, if it rattles and the bolts are tight it needs repairing.
3/ Remove the shield with a 16mm socket (with 50mm extension) by removing the two 16mm bolts.
4/ I thoroughly cleaned the shield with WD40.
5/ Check the play in the two double ended washer, mine had 3mm on one side where the plastic rubbed against the metal, the other side had 1.5mm play.
6/ In order to remove the washer I got a Dremel tool and carefully wore down one side till I could push it through the hole.
7/ I went to Halfords and bought two electrical rubber washers for 40p and fitted them into the hole where the metal washers were, thankfully the extra wear and play one of the holes had was taken up with the rubber washer.
8/ I checked the fit was OK with the original 16mm bolts.
9/ I reused the metal washers I cut out behind the shield in the bolts for spacers by rubbing them down to flat profile with a slight lip. I used my Dremel but a belt sander would have made a better job.
10/ Refitted the shield and gave it a flick to check to see if there was a rattle. Nope. All good.
Hopefully this will prevent the rubbing on the plastic so much and if it starts rattling again I can get another couple of replacement rubber washers from Halfords.
I hope this was helpful.