Unusual tin sounding noise

[SuperAvant]

I have been hearing this weird noise for a little while now shortly after driving a few miles and stopping while the engine is at idle.

The noise sounds like exhaust expanding and contracting when it is hot and you shut the car off. However, I am almost certain thats not where it is coming from. I did a few experiments to isolate the noise but the funny thing is the noise isnt there everytime. When it does occur, I tried a few things to see if I could figure out what it was. So sitting at idle today when I was hearing the tin pinging noise, I put the car in gear a slowly let out the clutch. WHen it grabbed the noise went away so now I think it is something in the trans.

Any idea?

[MOFSTEEL]

Could be the exhaust piping rattling on the chassis brace.
Have you checked if you have enough clearance?

[CtS4Driver]

I had a similar kind of noise recently in my 04 and it turned out to be the wheel bearings...sounded like the brake shield just barely rubbing on the rotor...Do you hear it when moving or turning the steering wheel? That's when my noise was most audible

[DRYBONES]

My guess is cats are starting to go. From the way you described it. Sound just like when the cats went on my wifes old b5 a4.

[SuperAvant]

Could be the exhaust piping rattling on the chassis brace.
Have you checked if you have enough clearance?

Hmmm that looks like a possibility. I noticed another sound yesterday too - when I am going along at around 2500 RPM, it sounds like a piece of metal is vibrating and rattling like the exhaust is vibrating against something.

I hope its not the cat otherwise I will be having some words with APR - they are only 6 months old.

[GFRRS3]

Sounds like your exhuast is physically hitting something.

[S4J]

I agree, get under there and see if your exhaust has shifted slightly and is now coming in contact with something. If so, it should be an easy fix.