Good day to everyone,

I would appreciate your advice on this rattling from the driveshaft input to the gearbox.

I have been chasing a rattling whilst driving over uneven surfaces. So far, parts replaced include drop links (sway bar end links), lower control arm (and bushes), and ball joints, all as pairs. However, the rattling still persists.

I have had another look and tried "shaking" different components underneath. I have found that the front left (UK nearside) driveshaft makes a rattling noise (as shown in the video). I don't think the other driveshaft has the same play but will have another look.

My question is: Is this play in the driveshaft input to the gearbox normal?

Forgot to mention, car is a 2008 Mazda5 2.0 petrol, 6-speed manual

 

Welcome to the forum
Best answer based on the video only....
The answer NO!
Either you need a replacement axle or output shaft seal and bearing. Or both.

 

Another possible culprit could be the Tie Rod Ends.......possibly the outer ones. I had a 2018 Ford Escape that had a front end rattle when going over rough roads or speed bumps. Turns out it was the Driver's side outer tie rod end. The car had 27,000 miles on it when I replaced the tie rod end. The factory tie rod end that was on it, had no grease inside of it to speak of, from the factory. There was some, but very little, and it had no Zerk fitting to add grease. I replaced it with a Moog tie rod end that had a grease fitting.......and no more noise. It was amazing to me that the factory part was not greased as it should have been. Even if I had been able to add grease to it, the part had already worn to the point that grease alone would not have kept it from rattling I believe.

The Escape had the 1.5L Ecosport engine and after buying the car I learned that those models had inherent engine problems stemming from the cylinder block & cylinder head designs. The engine cylinders, while under boost, would "wear" on the head gasket and the engine would start burning coolant that entered the cylinders from this. Since no one opens their car hood these days, most owners had no idea that this was happening until the coolant was low and engine overheating was occuring, and/or engine misfiring and DTC's were sent .......by then most of the engines were shot and needing rebuilt or replaced with a supposed upgraded engine block. I started monitoring the engine coolant, and adding some to maintain the full level, and then traded it in once it was evident that coolant was being consumed by the engine. The car had 31,000 miles on it when I traded it in, December 2023.

And now you know the rest of the story! LOL.

 

Some heat shields are clamped to the exhaust pipe and other car manufacturers bolt the shield to the underside of the vehicle. What happens is the clamps or bolts rust away and part of the heat shield drops down to rest on the exhaust pipe causing a vibration rattle. You will have to really get under the vehicle to investigate which may mean raising the vehicle with a jack. Grasp each heat shield and wiggle wobble it to find the loose item.

 

Just curious is anyone actually watching the video.. .??
Oh wait it must be the rear license plate frame ... LOL


also just maaaaaaybeeee he resolved as it has been Jul 28, 2025 | 01:52 PM since that member created the thread and has returned??