Noise from front fender well?

[mrgto]

Anyone experiencing rattling coming from the front end, possibly where the outter fender wells are fastened to the body? Feels like it's a little loose and it flaps in the wind while I'm driving against the unibody and is making a racket. When I had both front wheels off recently I couldn't see where I had lost any fasteners and there was no real way to tighten it up as the screws were in and push pins were also in place. Anyone else experience this? Thanks.

 

[MJ's V]

Yep, I'm experiencing the same thing. I was told that there are some clips under the fender that need to be re-fastened so I'm taking it to the dealer to get it done. Still under warranty so there shouldn't be any cost.

 

[mrgto]

Yep, I'm experiencing the same thing. I was told that there are some clips under the fender that need to be re-fastened so I'm taking it to the dealer to get it done. Still under warranty so there shouldn't be any cost.

Find out exactly what they do and how it's done if you could. Mine I think is out of warranty. Thanks.

 

[jchadwell]

Find out exactly what they do and how it's done if you could. Mine I think is out of warranty. Thanks.

I conquered this rattle in my 2013 today. It was a very simple fix but took two tries. For attempt one, I removed the wheel well liner to see if there was anything obviously loose. I found a small, very rusted wrench, yes a wrench in the bottom between the fender and wheel well liner. No idea how it go there. I bought the car new but perhaps there was some panel or hood alignment done pre-delivery and the tech dropped it down there? Regardless, that was not the rattle source.

For try #2, I put probably half to three quarters can of expanding foam into the crevices where the fender meets the window base close to the hood hinges. I used the crease at the very back behind the hood hinge as well as a couple holes further on up. You could hear the foam filling a void back there. Imagine a space behind the glove box for reference. Let it set up for a few hours and went for a test drive and all is dead silent again.

If your car is out of warranty, this will be an expensive fix. It would require removal of A LOT of panels to get access behind there. I figure the hood has to come off, fender obviously, as well as the front clip on that side. And then perhaps some of the inner engine bay trim panels/airbox, and maybe some additional inner fender panels would have to be removed as well.

I'd recommend spending a few bux on expanding foam first!

 

[mrgto]

Well I wouldn't be doing that because you could be sealing up the drains for the water. Hope you don't get water in the cabin after that.

 

[jchadwell]

Still bone dry and the drainage strategy appears to go out and around (if that makes any sense!) this area. I'll post an update if I ever do have water issues but it really looks unlikely.

Unfortunately, though, the rattle sees to be returning. More muted than before but I can hear it to a lesser degree again. The good news is it doesn't really matter to me as I always have the radio volume high enough that I can't hear it. It's only the occasional trip with the wife when it can be heard.

 

[mrgto]

This is a TSB from June and it's not eco specific.

#PIC5874: Fluttering Rattling or Thumping Type Noise Above 45 MPH - (Jun 12, 2013)
Subject: Fluttering Rattling or Thumping Type Noise Above 45 MPH

Models: 2011 - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
2012 -2014 Buick Verano
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern
A customer may indicate there is a flutter or thumping type noise from the side or underneath the vehicle at speeds 45 mph and above.

Recommendation/Instructions
Check the air deflectors mounted on either side under the vehicle. Make sure that all fasteners are in place and secure. Replace fasteners as needed.

If all fasteners are secure, it may be necessary to apply felt to the underbody above the the inside edge of each air deflector (between each fastener location) to eliminate this noise.

 

[charles_coatney74]

Find out exactly what they do and how it's done if you could. Mine I think is out of warranty. Thanks.

It is actually the fender well liner. It was loose and the wind pressure from the tires at speeds over 45 mph was causing it to flap. I tested this by placing a small cleaning cloth between the liner and the fender wall and sure enough there were no noises what so ever. Going to the dealer next week to get fixed the correct way.

 

[TurboLover]

Just started to hear same on my wife's car? How long is warranty on this component. Want to have checked before warranty is out.

 

[G-486076]

2016 Buick Verano - Mine was an annoying rattle at highway speeds coming from the left front end. Thanks to this thread, I found a loose panel in the wheel-well. Added some “filler material” behind the panel to tighten it. THE NOISE IS GONE!! YAHOO!!!

 

[TurboLover]

we had same on the left side front at speeds approaching 80mph (professional driver on a closed course, of course). a few years back. I believe our dealer did the felt application fix and it lessened a whole lot.

 

[Vanwardlow]

Thank you, this was driving me crazing. I have a 2015 Buick Verano and the drivers side inner fender liner was rattling at the splice.