I bought my '79 with a widebody kit and 13B already in it. I'm still finding stuff and now I have this problem:

Mounted inside the right rear fender, just aft of the shock mount, is ... something. I can only see the top of it, and that only by sticking a mirror through one of the holes in the sheet metal. It's a cylindrical, metal thing. And whatever it is, it's possessed by the devil. It makes a terrible racket between about 50 and 70 mph. It doesn't seem to be loose, but maybe it's just barely touching something down in there that I don't see. Whatever, it's loud. However loud you think it is, it's louder.

Anybody have any idea what this might be? I've considered that it might be some sort of fuel pump or filter (doesn't appear to be) or the motor for the power antenna (it is not, it is forward of the power antenna motor). Any other ideas? Could this be some sort of demonic audio equipment? I hate to have to try to fish it out since it's sort of awkward to get to. Probably will have to eventually anyway but at least I want to know what I am getting into

 

It could be the antenna. There is no fuel pump or filter over there. Are you sure, the thing your looking at is it? If not the antenna, I would think the jack rattling

 

If its widebody, could it be some aftermarket support bit for the fender? your right, just the antenna motor is in there, at least in my stocker 80. When you say "aft" you mean _behind_ the shock mount? as in: nearer the REAR of the car??
Snap a photo in there and post it - might help
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Thanks for the tips.

The problem is not the jack, I took it (and the spare tire) out. They are only good for comedy value at this point.

I'm pretty sure it's not the antenna. Now, my view of the antenna motor isn't any better than my view of this thing, but this is about a foot in front of the antenna.

I mean aft the correct way, yeah Behind the shock mount there's a gap in the sheet metal, and then this thing, whatever it is, is bolted in there aft of that gap. I cannot prove that it is not a structural part but it sure doesn't look like it.

I know I can get it out but it's going to be a nuisance to do it without dropping the bolts down in the bottom of the widebody fender cavity. (more like, drop the bolts down there, and then fish them out again). And, I lose if it's hooked up to something non-slack-or-stretchy... which is why I was hoping somebody could guess what it is before I try to pull it out.

Pics, pics... I need to get a camera...

BTW how do you keep your '80 from rusting away in Fairbanks?

 

I did iron this all out... looks like some previous owner got halfway through installing a rear wiper/washer and left the pump in there. Probably couldn't figure out how to mount the nozzle.

 

So, you got it out, and the noise is gone?