99 GT steering play

[Tim Pangman]

Hey all, I just recently picked up a new to me 99 GT to play with, overall in great shape but ive noticed the wheel has some play, it can move at least 3/4 of an inch freely. I noticed the front passenger tire is feathered on the outside edge, so I jacked the car up and yanked on the wheel, its not loose at all feels very solid. Same goes for the drivers side, but the passenger side seems to have more resistance, the drivers side spins freely. Any suggestions as to where look next?

Another thing, the exhaust has a very loud almost rattle-like sound at certain RPM's, from what I can see the exhaust has cats, an X-pipe and a flomaster catback. I removed some sort of heat shield from the tops of the cats, they were tack welded on and very loose I litterally tore them off with my bare hands, but the noise persists.

Thanks for any input.

 

[RedDaemon]

the rattling can be bad cats...the ceramic/platnium/whatever broke loose and now is rattling around...its quite common with cats that are on their way out


as for the wheel...bump

 

[XtorT'r]

A couple rubber isolators int he steering column that can get worn out, one is the rag joint and I think that might be able to be replaced. The other one might require you to replace the entire shaft, I think it is fairly expensive too. It happened to mine once at about 100k on the clock and hot long tubes surrounding them.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

A couple rubber isolators int he steering column that can get worn out, one is the rag joint and I think that might be able to be replaced. The other one might require you to replace the entire shaft, I think it is fairly expensive too. It happened to mine once at about 100k on the clock and hot long tubes surrounding them.

The shaft is expensive from the dealer but I bought a new FORD shaft from the 03-04 Cobras from blue oval for 34.95!! I couldn't believe it!!


Aside from the shaft, my Cobra had a lot of play too. It wasn't the shaft, but I put it on any ways. The shaft runs through a bearing in the firewall. The bearing on my Cobra broke and fell out. My wheel had play from side to side...but also when I grabbed the shaft at the firewall, I could move it around in every direction. I put a new bearing in the cup where it sits, and it was tight as a drum!! My steering is like new again. I grabbed a used bearing from a nother stang I had in my JY. I can't imagine it being expensive from the dealer though.