Just receieved my '95 the other day from the shipper.

Noticed a buzz/high frequency rattle/raspy noise coming from the rear passenger's side at certain RPMs. (It's an N1 Dual, not that that matters)

Looked under the car, noticed a braided metal...wire thing (it looked like a shoe lace)..that was just hanging next to the catback tube. i moved it around a bit and it made a similar raspy noise against a metal panel it was touching (next to the catback tube).

jacked up the car, removed that panel...found that wire/shoelace was attached to what looks like a ground point--just a screw in the underbody....except the wire lead to nowhere. I removed it.

1) Any ideas as to what that is/was for...?


Secondly, I didn't replace that panel, in the event it was the real culprit of the buzzing noise. Is it necessary? I noticed that the driver's side panel is made of PLASTIC and this one is metal. I guessed that either this is becuse of exhaust heat, or it was replaced when the dude installed the exhaust.

This is the metal panel located underneath the car besides the catback tubes. it is visible when looking under the passenger's side, from in front of the rear tire, looking towards the catback/muffler. it is NOT the muffler heat shield i am referring to. (best way to describe it)

anyway,

2) do i need it / should it be replaced?

3) is the factory panel plastic or metal on that side?


thank you!!

 

UPDATE:

took it on a drive, and no more buzz.

this is without the panel on.

I will replace the panel and test again--perhaps it was just that wire

 

Few things -

- The wire you found is the ground strap for the exhaust. It normally goes around one of the studs on the catback-main cat flange. Principle behind it is to make a better ground for the stock O2 sensor's signal and also, in theory, helps prevent corrosion.

- The underbody aerodynamic panels are as described, plastic on the driver's side, metal on the passenger side. The metal panel can easily be bent and deformed and can cause a rubbing or buzz. Typically just bending it back in place is all it needs and make sure it's attached with all the fasteners it's supposed to have.

Dale

 

Great Dale thanks!! Just what I needed to know.

is the ground strap a mazda part? I will hit up Ray for a new one if and re-attach it and the panel.

Much appreciated