Rattle driving me mad

Newbie on the Forum having picked up a 03 plate Freelander Td4 with 49,000 on the clock last weekend.

In the last few days it has developed an annoying 'rattle which seems to come from the passenger footwell/glove box area. I am fairly certain that there isn't a problem with the suspension/gearbox etc as I can't feel anything through the steering or pedals. It sounds a bit like something loose and hitting plastic.

The noise is intermittent and only happens on slightly bumpy country lanes, potholes don't seem to cause it and on smooth roads (I think there is one somewhere in the UK) ther is no noise.

Car is great otherwise and drives like a dream.

Before the funny f****ers come back with 'take the lipstick out of the glove box' really helpful suggestions, I have already ckecked!!

Any advice/suggestions would be really appreciated.

I'm sure you'll appreciate how difficult it is to diagnose a rattle or clunk without hearing it but i'd suspect the anti roll bar bushes and drop links first .These are an all too common failure .
Over the years I've replaced them several times and the symptoms are exactly as yours .
I've tried poly bushes but found they didn't last any longer than standard rubber ones which i've currently reverted to and as for the drop links I'd strongly advise original LR or Lemforder ones as I've tried FAI Britpart and an other over the years and been disappointed in their lifespan.
Reach under the front arch and grap the drop link and give it a good shake , any wear will be quickly identified.
Changing all of the above is easy and you'll be able to do it yourself with minimum of tools .
I'd also check the bottom balljoints too as these also cause a rattle / clunk if worn ,I know 'cause I'm awaiting new wishbones myself....
Good luck and let us know how you get on.......

Thanks Steely Dan!

I know that rattles can appear to come from places which are completely different the actual cause.

My experience of any suspension related problems on other 4WD vehicles (mainly Subarus and military Defenders) was totally different to this with more of a 'clonking' which was easily felt through the steering column.

I assume that the black plastic box behind the passenger glove box/at top of passenger footwell is the part of the heating system. The noise sounds as though something housed within it is loose.

Luckily the Freelander came with a 3 month warranty, but the dealer is an hour and a half's drive away so I'm trying to hone in on the problem before being given a 'sex & travel' response from the dealer!!

I'm certainly not ruling out any of the issues you have kindly suggested and will keep you posted.

have yu checked the rear subframe mounting bolts?

Haven't had a chance to check out anything mechanical yet.

Does it make sense if it say that the sound is a rattle (akin to a loose ancillary component) rather than a 'knocking', clonking or grinding (which I would normally associate with a suspension/drive fault)?

Just hoping that whatever the cause is that it will be covered under dealer warranty.

Stoats Tail said:

Haven't had a chance to check out anything mechanical yet.

Does it make sense if it say that the sound is a rattle (akin to a loose ancillary component) rather than a 'knocking', clonking or grinding (which I would normally associate with a suspension/drive fault)?

Just hoping that whatever the cause is that it will be covered under dealer warranty.

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If you got it wet could be the doors getting loose,and making the noise

i was have a simular problem as my son-inlaw had the front nearside strut off because the rubbery foam protector of the shocker had broken he put it back on and then he went home without testing it all the noise i had after turned out to be the nut onto of the shocker had not been full tightend up but saying that I did have some clatering a couple of weeks before and that turned out to be bottom ball joint on the wishbone I also replaced the drop link as well and a very big pt hole had coursed all this i thought I had lost me wheel

Mine developed an intermittant rattle just like yours, it turned out to be diesel rattle from over fueling caused by faulty wiring loom to high pressure sensor.

Loose Heat shield on the exhaust?

Check that the rear two 10mm setscrews are still fitted on the undertray .

If a passenger sits in the front do they think the noise is coming from the same place?

That's wierd, I have exactly the same rattle, more of a vibration that starts at 1500rpm and clears at around 1550/1600. It's driving me mad, I have also traced it to the heater box in the nr side footwell. I've had the fan tube off and had a look and feel inside, and also taken the pollen filter out and had a look and grope in there too. Can't find anything. I did discover though, that if I bang up on the bottom of the heater box, something definately bounces up and down, but I can't get at it. I have no clue what it could be, and it's looking like the only way to get at it is to remove the heater box which I asume will be a pain in the arse to do.

Andrew McIntyre said:

That's wierd, I have exactly the same rattle, more of a vibration that starts at 1500rpm and clears at around 1550/1600. It's driving me mad, I have also traced it to the heater box in the nr side footwell. I've had the fan tube off and had a look and feel inside, and also taken the pollen filter out and had a look and grope in there too. Can't find anything. I did discover though, that if I bang up on the bottom of the heater box, something definately bounces up and down, but I can't get at it. I have no clue what it could be, and it's looking like the only way to get at it is to remove the heater box which I asume will be a pain in the arse to do.

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Thanks for all of your responses - really appreciated and given me some great points for further investigation.

Re Andrew McIntyre's post - I did exactly the same test yesterday by banging the bottom of the heater box which suggested that something inside was causing the rattle.

Before that, I noticed that the bracket with the diagnostics port fixed to it was loose, and thought I had fixed it with a bit of 2mm neoprene..... until I took it for another test drive!!!!!

Took it for a drive today with the passenger window down (during a break in the rain!) and the noise is steering me (no pun intended) towards the front suspension components suggested by previous posts.

Got to say that it is worth owning a Land Rover simply to be able to tap into the knowledge bank on this forum - many thanks to all and keep the suggestions coming.

Will keep you posted with progress and the solution.