If the rubber bushings at the ends of the shocks are shot, even if bolts are
very tight, you could get a noise there.  The bolts just hold the
shock/rubber bushing/inside metal sleeve tightly to the suspension.

if the rubber is shot, the metal sleeve can still make metal-to-metal
contact.
Though you say it's not pump related................ so not likely that.

does it do it accelerating in reverse ?

----- Original Message -----
From: "pickle vanagon" <greenvanagon@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 12:32 PM
Subject: It is NOT the shocks (Re: Sound Recording of my Mystery Noise)

>I know shocks are what it sounds like, but I've checked the shock bolts and
> they are all tight.
>
> also, the noise is unrelated to bumps or rough roads.
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 3:17 PM, Jack R. <jack007@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Loose shock was my first guess as well!
>>
>> Also had a similar noise in my 84 Westy!
>>
>> Jack
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>> Of
>> John Rodgers
>> Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 2:55 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Sound Recording of my Mystery Noise
>>
>> I hear a rattling sound. It sounds for all the world like a loose shock.
>> This happened to me once in my '85, and the shock bolts were loose.
>>
>> John Rodgers
>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
>> Chelsea, AL
>> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>>
>>
>> On 6/14/2010 1:00 PM, pickle vanagon wrote:
>> > I made a recording of my mystery noise.
>> >
>> > Just to recap the facts:
>> > 83 1.9l manual
>> > Did the pilot bearing a few weeks ago.  This doesn't seem like a
>> mechanical
>> > noise that could be related but this should probably be mentioned
>> anyways.
>> > For good measure, let me also state that we recently painted the
>> > poptop.
>> >
>> > The noise never occurs when you rev the engine at an idle.
>> >
>> > It also seems to not have a periodic nature, and doesn't seem to change
>> > based on engine or wheel speed.
>> > For this reason, I believe I can rule out CV joints, wheel bearings,
>> > etc.
>> >
>> >
>> > (As a reference, almost all the times you hear the sound in the
>> recording,
>> > the van is accelerating.)
>> >
>> > the recording is high quality, but I recommend headphones.  Speakers,
>> > especially laptop speakers, won't be nearly as useful.
>> >
>> > I would REALLY appreciate any suggestions.... I'm going to go crazy
>> > here
>> > pretty soon!
>> >
>> > Noise is at
>> > http://people.cs.uchicago.edu/~wes/vanpics/sample.mp3<http://people.cs.uchicago.edu/%7Ewes/vanpics/sample.mp3>
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks!!!!!
>> > Wes
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2936 - Release Date: 06/14/10
>> 02:35:00
>>