Rattle under the drivers door when it is shut hard? Initial thoughts?

Well, I'll be poking my head under the car this weekend anyway to change the fuel filter, so I may find this myself in short order..... but I thought I'd also ping everyone here just in case someone has had this before and might have some suggestions on the first places to check.

So, when I park the car after a long drive, get out and shut the door.... there is a metallic rattle/ring under the car which sounds like it is coming from under the drivers door. It almost sounds like something loose on/in the exhaust, or like a cable or heat shield is rattling against something. In fact it sounds EXACTLY like a spark plug heat shield that was on my 1980 Olds which only rattled when it got heated up, would warp a bit and rattle against the exhaust header.

I'm pretty sure (not positive) this rattle doesn't happen if the car hasn't been fully heat soaked, but that too will need to be tested.

Anyway, I'm sure it will be easy enough for me to find once I start actually looking... and I'll post what I find to help others that may have the same issue.

But thought I'd also ask if anyone else had this issue in the past.

Thanks,
Al

I had a similar issue with the heat shield that isolates the exhaust from the floor pan, in the cat converter area. It was resonating at throttle as well. Used a pair of pliers to put a slight bend in the shield - fix the issue.

This could also be a brake or fuel line that's come loose, or even a loose rocker panel. I'd get on the ground and use a rubber mallet to tap around. I'm sure you'll find it.

Old thread, but wanted to mention that this sortof just "went away" on its own with no intervention from me.

This is nearly 10k miiles later, so maybe something just worked its way out.....

Al

Could have been a rock or debris hanging to the undercarriage. Ever been driving along and hear "ta-ting-tink" after something comes loose? I hear it a couple times a year. As long as it sounds small, I know parts of my car aren't falling off - good riddance!