Supposedly, the newer kits have "sealed" bearings in the nose cone, as opposed to floating ball bearings. I have actually read that the rattling in the nose cone is very common and shouldn't hurt anything, as this is what Alpine said as well... of course, they sent me a replacement nose cone, too.

I'm thinking of buying a coupler as well, just to rule out any present or near future rattles or problems I may have when getting the new nose cone installed.