Rear End / Rear Wheels problems

calboss281

New Member
Jan 28, 2009
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Hey all, I'm new to the forum so be nice to my ignorance.

I joined specifically because of a problem I'm having and I dunno where else to turn. I've got a pretty heavily modified 02 GT (which i kinda turned into my own Boss 281 theme). I don't use it as a daily driver, but I do have some issues with the rear wheels. For about 2 years now I've had 17x10.5 rims with Goodyear Gs-d3s on them in the rear and have had little problems with rubbing (usually only happened when I was racing the car). Recently however they began to make rubbing-like noises anytime I made a right hand turn (sharp right, typically from a stop) as well as sharp left turns. Even more scary, i started to smell burnt rubber every time I stopped driving the car (coming directly from the back wheels)

So I went and bought 5/8ths wheel spacers from mustangwheelspacers.com and had them installed. It did a good job at leveling out the tires to the edge of the wheel well, and stopped the rubbing when giving it a lot of gas. But it did NOT stop the rubbing noises when making sharp turns. It also seems to only make these noises after the car has been driven for about 30 minutes. The car's performance doesn't seem affected at all by any of this...and when I look and feel the tires I cannot see any evidence of rubbing (for example, the small rubber hairs that stick out are all still there...none are shaved off). As well, when making a sharp turn but NOT giving it gas...another type of rubbing sound appears to come from all angles of the car (I can't really determine if it's front or back).

My question is basically this: Does anyone know if it is possible that despite the spaces, somehow the wheels are rubbing against the quad shocks, or the exhaust? And if so, what is the way to rectify this?

The car's suspension mods and exhaust mods are as follows:

-eibach lowering springs (standard)
-MM rear sway bar
-5/8" wheel spacers for rear
-Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust system
-MM tower brace
-MM subframe connectors
-stock shocks
 
It sounds generally like a rubbing noise would sound...I imagine. A consistent sound with oscillations like movement.

What would the differential be doing that would make noise?
 
It sounds generally like a rubbing noise would sound...I imagine. A consistent sound with oscillations like movement.

What would the differential be doing that would make noise?

During tight turns the inner and outer wheels are turning at different rates. The traction lock clutches have to release to allow this to happen. If the fluid is bad (e.g. has been overheated severely, is low etc) or is missing the friction modifier, the clutches may chatter or "jump" as the differential tries to work.
 
Your shocks could be starting to loose their "rebound" and causing rubbing.... Thats kind of a stretch. The rubber u smell is a bit worrysome? That would mean they rub full time and not just from time to time.

How do ur tires look? Do they just have small scuffs from rubbing or are they starting to get lines in them...

If its ur rear diff, then the tires should look good or evenly worn.
 
The tires show no signs of wear at all, even the small rubber sticks from when the tire was brand new are still there.

How could I tell if the fluid is bad or overheated? Should I just go flush the rear end fluid and see if it fixed the problem?
 
Someone from another forum posted this:

"I can tell you, this EXACT same thing was happening to me... after about 30 min of driving, the rear end will heat up causing the clutch pack in the rear end to expand and rub when its going out. The reason it only happens in turns is because this is when the clutch pack is engaging. When one wheel is turning fast than the other the clutch engages. After time, this rubbing will turn into grinding. I am willing to bet it is your clutch pack.. have a proffesional check it out... I had to have mine replaced. luckily I had just purchased the car and made the dealer pay for it. Would have been about 700$."


Does this sound like the same thing mentioned before? If so, who would be a professional to take it to? And why in the world would it cost 700 bucks?
 
I just linked you to a generic one. If I were you, I would also do a couple things while in there, gears, clutchpack rebuild kit and a ratech rebuild kit. I just don't like paying for more labor when it is not needed.
 
So I'd need both a rear end rebuild AND a clutch pack rebuild? Why both? I mean I understand because it would alleviate problems later but....are they both NECESSARY?

I don't see any clutch pack rebuild kits on Ford Racing; do they not make one?

"FORD RACING 8.8 AXLE TRACTION-LOK REBUILD KIT - Restore Traction and Launch Stability. Includes 8.8 Differential Clutch Pack, Shims, Lock Pin and Friction Modifier With Detailed Instructions"

^^ Does that mean the Ford Racing rebuild kit comes with a clutch pack rebuild?
 
Thanks for your guys' response. I think you got me on the right track towards fixing the car. I set up an appointment on Friday with my local Ford Racing authorized dealer to have it inspected.