broken GT

[d1sfunct1onal]

Ok so here begins my dilema. I changed out my clutch as the throw out bearing went south on me. No big deal right? After I put on the new flywheel and clutch I have a major vibration from the car above 1000rpms. Its like something is way out of balance but I cannot find the root cause. This is a 97 GT thats mostly stock. The mechanic that did the work says that I must have broken a rod somehow and that is whats causing the vibration but I just dont buy it. There is no knocking from the motor like I would expect with a bent or broken rod and when I drove it home there was no powerloss but this thing drives like its gonna shake apart. Anybody here ever heard of anythig like this or seen anything like this? Anyone in the ATL area wanna lend a hand at diagnosing this? For now its gonna have to sit as I have spent almost 2 grand fixing little things on this car and wont be able to afford to fix her anytime soon but I just dont wanna try replacing the engine if it isnt the issue.

Greg

 

[JonJon]

does the clutch pedal shake at idle?

 

[d1sfunct1onal]

I want to say it doesnt shake as I would think I would have noticed that. I will have to look at that tomorrow when I am back at home.

Greg

 

[d1sfunct1onal]

I checked it out at home and the pedal doesnt shake but the car itself could almost churn cream into butter.

Greg

 

[2Blown98]

what year is your car?

 

[2Blown98]

what year is your car?

sorry i see it was a 97. Is it an aluminum flywheel? if so, the steel friction surface on may not be properly secured. Also, are you sure that you didnt inadvertantly purchase a older flyweel for a 5.0?? Those flywheels have a 50oz. inbalance because they are externally balanced engines unlike our 4.6s

 

[d1sfunct1onal]

Its a standard flywheel I ordered from my Ford dealer, so im sure its steel and not aluminum. As far as being balanced correctly I have no idea.

Greg

 

[2Blown98]

if its standard its made of nodular iron and not steel

 

[2Blown98]

what clutch r u using? AND MORE IMPORTANTLY have u been driving the car w/ the vibration and if so how long?

 

[d1sfunct1onal]

Its a cheap autozone clutch as I needed it now and didnt have the time to wait. I had thought possibly it was bad and got them to swap me out for another new kit but no joy. I drove it about 7 miles from the shop to my house and put her in the garage. I am too afraid of something getting damaged by it to drive her again. The thing that bugs me the most is at idle this thing is perfect just like before this fiasco.

Greg

 

[2Blown98]

if you drove the car w/ the vibration u described for any lenght of time and it was originating from the clutch being out of balance that much you would destroy ur motor for sure

 

[2Blown98]

take a good look at your motor/ tranny mounts I bet thats it

 

[d1sfunct1onal]

And that I believe but my bigger question is where is this vibration coming from? I just do not see how a motor that was running perfect before the throw-out bearing broke all of a sudden has a broken rod after replacing the clutch and flywheel.

Greg

 

[2Blown98]

in order to pull and replace the trans u have to loosen or unbolt the motor mounts soyou can tilt the engine rearward to reconnect the trans to the bellhousing otherwise it wont go back together.

 

[2Blown98]

im sure ur rods r fine .

 

[d1sfunct1onal]

What is the easiest way to tell if a motor mount is worn out? And can I replace one or several without removing the engine?

Greg

 

[2Blown98]

unless ur mechanic is fam. w/ newer mustangs he probably just let the weight of the trans tilt the engine during dissassembly and inadvertantly broke ur motor mounts

 

[d1sfunct1onal]

I never did loosen the motor mounts on the car when I removed the trans. I simply used a floor jack and a few 2x4s to press against the oilpan and tilt it back as the Haynes manual said.

Greg

 

[d1sfunct1onal]

I did most of the work myself....when I screwed up bolting the trans back on and didnt watch out for the wiring harness that the O2 sensors use, I took it to this guy to fix not knowing what I had done. It took him 5 minutes to tell me I jammed the wires in the upper section of the transmission and I felt stupid. So to make a long story short I had him fix that as the car wouldnt start. And yes I did just let the weight of the transmission just tilt it back at first.

Greg

 

[2Blown98]

support the car on jack stands and once under the car loosen your motor mount bolts. then put a piece of wood under the crank pulley/balancer and lift the engine a little that will make it easier to see/ inspect the mounts. to replace them there r only 2 bolts per side that secure them to the block. Its that easy