Bizarre front strut rattle

[simurs4]

Hey guys, been having a weird rattling noise from the front of my urs4 ever since i got it, thought it might've been rooted strut tops or worn out joints etc but went over the whole car, checking every suspension/steering component and where all good. one thing i noticed however was that on the strut itself, there are these weird rectangular shaped things that sit on the strut directly underneath where the spring sits in the strut, and one of those rectangular shaped things is rattling around. i thought sweet maybe i can just tighten a bolt or whatever but no bolts, how are these things connected to the strut and is there a way to tighten/fix it without removing the strut? i will take a picture of what i mean tommorow if nobody understands what i mean :S.
cheers.

[UrS4boy]

Doesn't sound like anything OE. See if you can see what you are talking about in this C4 UrS front suspension diagram:

[Donnie]

I had an annoying front end rattle with my s2 for months after i got it, it turned out to be the pins on the sliding caliper were seriously worn, worth a look if you've got sliding calipers - or try driving with the brake gently applied and see if the knock disappears.

[pw-rs2]

I've also found loose steering rack mountings were it bolts to the inner wing. This can sound like a knocking strut top & will sometimes make a noise when on full lock. Worth checking this anyway as they are prone to stress-cracking around the mounting point & its a tricky area to weld-up properly.

[newsh]

Is the shock absorber insert moving inside the leg?

[s2_bo]

Is the shock absorber insert moving inside the leg?

I have had hat happen, sounds like a rattle and just requires the damper cap tightening up all the way.

[johne]

Also, if you've got Bilsteins fitted, check the top bearing where the shaft enters the housing, mine failed there giving loads of play and a knocking noise.

John

[newsh]

I have had hat happen, sounds like a rattle and just requires the damper cap tightening up all the way.

Some aftermarket shocks need a spacer ring and if its left out in can rattle.