All right, I just got new tires put on my 78 240D about a week and a half ago. When I first drove home with them on, I heard a new rattling sound while I either let off the gas or pushed in the clutch. When I got home, I looked around and noticed that the hood release must have been pulled, because the little hood-opener tab thingy was sticking out in the grill. I figured that the rattle was because the hood was partially open, and thought that was that.

Well, the rattle didn't go away. I thought it had at first, but now I'm guessing I was just listening to loud music and couldn't hear it. I have a problem with that sometimes, but that's another story.

Anyway, I have now determined the exact characteristics of this rattle. Are you ready? Here we go:

I can only hear it while coasting with my foot off the gas, or the clutch in like I said before. It also only seems to happen from around 40 MPH to 25 MPH. I've coasted at 50 or so, and can't hear it, but if I can coast down to 40~35 or so, it starts up, and doesn't go away until around 25 MPH. Very strange. Anyway, it seems to be coming from the front, and I'm pretty sure it didn't start until I got the new tires.

I took it back to the tire place (Les Schwab for those who care) yesterday to have them check it out, and they told me it was missing a lug nut. What? OK... I'm feeling less and less confident in their installation all the time. Why was my hood popped? Why did they not put on a lug nut? It's especially disappointing because I've been a long time Les Schwab customer in the Portland area, where they are excellent. Over here in Boise, they seem to be missing something. Anyway, they told me they put a new lug nut on, but didn't notice anything else.

I left without feeling very reassured, and the rattle is still there. It could be a coincidence, but I wonder if anyone has any ideas on what this rattle might be.

Thanks for reading my extremely long-winded post, those of you who have stuck with this...

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'78 240D