• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Strange Rear End Noise

  • Thread starter Thread starter Swarzkopf
  • Start date Start date Nov 16, 2004

Swarzkopf

Member
Sep 23, 2004
973
0
16
Pittsburgh
Nov 16, 2004
#1
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #1
Never heard a noise like this on a car....

When I first fire up the Mustang, there is a fast, loud rattle from the rear end for a few seconds, which then goes away. Revving the motor doesn't create this noise again.

Then, during my first turn while driving, the noise comes back, just as intensely as before. As the car warms up, it usually goes away, but might come back later during another turn.

If the car is warm, it doesn't make the noise at startup.

The sound can best be described as a very fastly repeating, hollow sounding rattle. If you put a golf ball in a big empty plastic water jug and shook it real fast, you'd get this noise. It sounds similar to a blown strut, but faster.

I have no idea what it is. My differential seems fine, the rear shocks are A-okay, the exhaust system is as secure as it will ever be, and I don't think it's the U-joint because they usually sound differently when they're going.

Any suggestions?
 
W

wytstang

Mustang Master
Mar 14, 2004
4,988
4
78
Summerville,SC missing South Fl. weather :(
Nov 16, 2004
#2
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #2
Man that's weird it really sound like your pipes are hitting the body but you say it's secure. Do you have any thing in the trunk that might cause this noise?
 

Joes95GT

New Member
Jan 23, 2003
3,132
1
0
Delaware
Nov 16, 2004
#3
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #3
Do both tires spin when the posi locks up?

Is the sound coming from the "pumpkin" section or from somewhere in the rear suspension area?

Joe
 

Swarzkopf

Member
Sep 23, 2004
973
0
16
Pittsburgh
Nov 16, 2004
#4
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #4
wytstang: My first thought was I had something in the trunk...cleared the trunk out and it's still happening.

The exhaust system is very secure.

Do both tires spin when the posi locks up?
Click to expand...

Yes, though the car is starting to fishtail more when I get on it while straight. The rear kicks left pretty good now.

Is the sound coming from the "pumpkin" section or from somewhere in the rear suspension area?
Click to expand...

It's hard to really pin it down...it sounds more like it's coming from the passenger side rear suspension area, but I can't say for sure.


Thanks for the feedback and fast responses.
 

Joes95GT

New Member
Jan 23, 2003
3,132
1
0
Delaware
Nov 16, 2004
#5
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #5
Swarzkopf said:
Yes, though the car is starting to fishtail more when I get on it while straight. The rear kicks left pretty good now.
Click to expand...
When you say kick left, that may not necessarily be a good thing. Do you mean the car likes to take off in one direction? Does the car make the noise while sitting still or is it while it's in motion? Did the car ever start making the noise before the ring and pinion was installed? How long ago was it installed?

I may be getting somewhere...

Joe
 
W

wytstang

Mustang Master
Mar 14, 2004
4,988
4
78
Summerville,SC missing South Fl. weather :(
Nov 16, 2004
#6
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #6
Open up the the "pumkin" and take a look inside check out everything ring&pinion spider gears good luck.
 

Swarzkopf

Member
Sep 23, 2004
973
0
16
Pittsburgh
Nov 16, 2004
#7
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #7
The 4.10 ring and pinion was installed back in August....the problems just coming up now.

Does the car make the noise while sitting still or is it while it's in motion?
Click to expand...

Both- it makes the noise right at startup, then stops. It then makes the noise again while turning during driving.

When I say "kick left", I meant that if I jump on it from a stop, the rear of the car tends to swing to the right, causing the front of the car to point left. I couldn't remember which way it fishtails when I first posted. :lol
 

Joes95GT

New Member
Jan 23, 2003
3,132
1
0
Delaware
Nov 16, 2004
#8
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #8
Swarzkopf said:
Both- it makes the noise right at startup, then stops. It then makes the noise again while turning during driving.
Click to expand...
OK. It's not your suspension. Is the car in gear when the noise occurs? I'm not guaranteeing you anything, but I can bet you something is wrong in the rear. Pull the diff cover and check all the obvious stuff. Check the ring and pinion gears for chipping or not being "straight". Check the posi and make sure the spider gears aren't thrashed. Check out the shims on each side and make sure nothing looks goofy. Check the torque on the main caps if you have access to a torque wrench. That's all I can think of for now...

Joe
 

94TURBO5 O

New Member
Mar 14, 2004
2,509
0
0
VA
Nov 16, 2004
#9
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #9
You've got a busted rear dude. Do you pop your clutch and drive aggressively?

I had the same symptoms and it was there for months and I pulled the rear and sure enough I had a broken tooth on my pinion and one piece was just clunking around in there. Pull the cover like Joe said and take a look inside.
 

95snoozer

Active Member
Dec 14, 2002
2,572
1
48
RCR
Nov 16, 2004
#10
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #10
my rear is trashed and grinds on slow turns.
My spider gears are fuxord.

I now have a horrible vibration above 80. I mean HORRIble. this has gradually gotten worse as the rear has been driven on its last leg.... about 15K miles hehe. I figured it was a misbalance in the diff but i am wondering if the ujoints might be bad too.

BTW i have a new rear to put in but am waiting for the 4.10s to come out of my friends car so i can do it both at once. I have been waiting forever but his car has been down with no motor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Weird noises
  • Shanehanna81
  • Nov 26, 2024
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
332
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Nov 28, 2024
Shanehanna81
S
A
2001 Mustang GT, scorched metal smell and noise from trans/diff?
  • AndyE2255
  • Dec 1, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
439
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 28, 2025
gkomo
B
'03 GT Fuel Pump/Pressure/Delivery Issue
  • Brodach
  • Oct 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
876
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
gkomo
Place to Avoid: Jamison Auto Group in Gulfport, MS
  • D Durden
  • Oct 20, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 4, 2026
nickyb
R
Need help diagnosing the cause of this sound (2004 GT 4.6 Manual)
  • ryuksz
  • Nov 27, 2022
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
892
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Nov 27, 2022
ryuksz
R
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?