Knocking noises over bumps

[SmockDoiley]

This is a noise I seem to only hear in 94-95 mustangs. My 95 has been doing it for 2 years now and it doesnt seem to affect anything, its just really annoying. I'm starting to wonder if its a body seam thing or something. Shaking down the suspension, everything is tight. The car is mostly stock except for some muffs and cold air. It has a new rack and outer tie rods, and like I said everything else is good. Isolators look good, motor mounts look good. Its a small thunk as you go from park to reverse, over bumps or sometimes turning onto side roads. Sometimes it seems like its coming from up front, and sometimes right under me in the tranny area. I cant duplicate it on a lift just driving it. Anyone else experience this cause I've heard it in 3 sn95s now and maybe its a common problem people here know about. Thanks, Scot Rod

 

[bill302]

could it be u-joints....?

 

[HISSIN50]

Scot, because you note that it occurs when shifting the automatic (there's some decent torque load while doing so), I'd want to really go over the motor and trans mounts and the crossmember bushings.

It'd be hard to duplicate the noise because you cant torque that hard (to mimic the driveline loading) by yourself. Have you had it on a lift while someone (OH SO CAREFULLY) engages Park to Reverse to Drive slowly?

There are a zillion things that it could be, but that was my first blush thought.

Good luck.

 

[drewzx3]

I know what you are talking about mine does it to.

 

[SmockDoiley]

I've loaded it on a lift and it doesnt do it. Its mainly over bumps and stuff. I'm pretty sure its not the U-joints. Ive heard that noise before and its different, and it doesnt come from the back at all. I'll keep looking because its killing me.

 

[OrangeMustangGt]

i had a similar noise. I fixed it by tightining the 2 bolts on the crossover bracket on the bottom of the k-member. It a straight bracket that is about 1 foot long that ties the 2 sides toghter on the rack. Take and tighten the hell outta the 2 bolts.....if fixed mine. Let me know if it fixes the noise.

 

[BlackVert]

I've loaded it on a lift and it doesnt do it. Its mainly over bumps and stuff. I'm pretty sure its not the U-joints. Ive heard that noise before and its different, and it doesnt come from the back at all. I'll keep looking because its killing me.

you don't have maximum motorsports c/c plates and strange struts, do you?

 

[95Cbra5O]

My car makes the same noise. My mechanic has isolated it and I want to say it is some type of link or linkage. He has tightened it a couple of times for me and said if it comes back it would need to be replaced and it has. I will probably go by there tomorrow because I need to get mine worked on so I will ask him.

 

[SmockDoiley]

I'll take a look at the K-member brace bolts and see if that does anything. Can you find out what linkage he is talking about. I cant picture what linkage he would be referring to.
No, I have a factory suspension, not even lowered.