Noted for this weekend. Thanks.

 

It's more of a jiggle in the steering linkage. I drove the car about 8 miles today but didn't feel it at all, while driving over a few sharp bumps. Our roads in Raleigh NC are mostly good but I don't want it to be an issue.

 

Thanks for posting. Yes, it does feel more like kickback through the steering wheel. If all checks-out fine this weekend, I'll keep driving it as it is. The problem isn't overly bothersome, butI have a sensitivity to these things. 26 years of amateur sports car racing helps one develop particular senses while driving. Overall, I love driving the car but if something feels a little "off," I try to fix it asap.

 

The guys have covered most items but one...is your car a sports package model?

My 09 v8v is a sports package...it is a rougher ride compared to a non sports model..
You can feel the car on hard roads but the steering wheel does not shudder or shake...

In addition...most will tell you the steering is super stiff in these cars...if your steering is easy to turn at low speeds...I would look for the problems mentioned above...

Good luck

 

I don't know, I can see someone who's driven Camrys and SUVs their whole life misinterpreting steering feedback as a shudder but Carter claims to have experience with cars with plenty of steering feel. The Vantage does have great feel and feedback, better than I had expected, but it never feels jittery,

 

Had the same „noise and feeling“ with my 2007 V8V. It was the Airbag and sorted out with this OEM Part Number 9G43-33698-AA

Cheers

 

Thanks Onyx!

I checked everything in the front suspension, wheel bearings, etc., while swapping pads this past Saturday and everything was tight and secure. I'm starting to think it's the airbag rattle, based on the comments here, and the fact that everything seemed fine.

I've ordered the bushings. For those who added the airbag mounting bolt bushings, did you do it yourself or did you pay to have it done? I usually follow procedures but I don't know where the Emotion Control Unit is located, and how to put it into position 2. I'm about 1/3rd into the owner manual so pardon my ignorance, but is this the Aston way of saying insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it one click? It looks like a simple procedure and yes, I'll disconnect the battery and wait two minutes.

I would have bet a lot of money it was something in the steering linkage, between the steering wheel and the front tires, but I could be wrong. I hope, actually, that I am, and that installing the bushings will eliminate the rattle. This car has been well maintained and cared for but has a minor rattle in the dash and one in the driver door. They aren't constant, but only appear on sharp shock-type bumps and high frequency chatter bumps. Eliminating the steering rattle will be a step in the right direction.

Thanks all.

 

You can replicate the airbag rattle by just using a closed fist and strike the outward area of the wheel rim with medium force. And if you grip the wheel with the other it should resonate and have simular feel to uneven road surfaces.

 

Good idea. Thanks!

 

I was hesitant about this as well, but decided to do it myself and I'm glad I did. Just put the ignition on the second or "accessory" setting (not sure how w/ an ECU, my DB9 has the old-school key ignition) and turn the steering wheel 1/4 turn so you can see the bolt. Take your 1/4" ratchet or other tool of choice w/ the proper Torx (I think) bit, remove the bolt, put the bolt through the sleeve and reinstall. Turn the wheel 1/2 turn the other way and repeat for the other side. No need to disconnect the battery or any of that. Take 'er for a spin and crack a beer to a job well done... cheaply.

EDIT: Whoops, didn't see Onyx's instructions above!

 

Couple of points if your doing this DIY. Do put key in ignition to turn the steering wheel to access the first torx #30 bolt but then turn key back and remove from ignition. You don’t want to work on anything connected to the airbag with the ignition on. Also pick up a little loctite. Both the bolts use loctite. After you’ve removed and replaced the first bolt with nylon sleeve, put the key back in ignition and turn the wheel 180, to access 2nd bolt, then remov3 key from ignition.

Another tip - the angle of both torx 30 bolts is slightly downward when the wheel is turned to access them, you won’t see the head unless you use a mirror.

 

Excellent. Thanks for the reply. I'll pick a good craft beer.

 

Very good video, Rich.

Thanks!

 

As was posted here, I banged on the side of the steering wheel with medium force and yes, it made the rattle sound I have heard. Great suggestion.

Tonight, I added the airbag bolt sleeves, and will have a beer shortly. This helped eliminate the rattle for sure but I hear a slight ticking noise behind the steering wheel when I yank the wheel a short distance to the right, or when I jiggle the wheel left-right quickly. I watched Rich's good Redpants.lol steering wheel removal video and saw that the steering wheel mount is hex-shaped, and not multi-splined like some others. I'm wondering if the female hex corners on the wheel are tapping on the male hex corners on the mounting ****.

I'm thinking the sleeves will eliminate the airbag rattle and I doubt I'll hear the slight tapping while driving - road noise and 80's music on my recently dusted-off CD's will probably cover the tapping noise. I want the car to be right, but if I don't hear the tapping, it's not an issue. My OCD only goes so far. If I can still hear it while driving, I'll pull the wheel, per the Redpants video and might place some aluminum foil over the hex **** to tighten the mounting and eliminate any slop between it and the female wheel mount.

Also, my "local" dealer is about an hour away so they shipped the airbag bolt sleeves. Per the shop manual graphic posted on this thread (thanks!) I used only two of the six sleeves I received. If anyone needs a pair, PM me and I'll mail them to you.

Thanks again to all who helped with this. Now, I'll try to eliminate the left side windshield defroster vent rattle. I definitely hear this when driving over sharp bumps. Pushing down on it stops the rattle. Does anyone know if it just pops upward and out?

 

Here you go, Steve is a great resource:

https://aston1936.com/2017/11/24/how...on-martin-db9/

EDIT: Sorry, I forgot you have a V8V; not sure how similar the pieces are.