TOWED LAST NIGHT...now a new noise

G

GTtopLESS

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Nov 8, 2007

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Jan 21, 2010

#1

• Jan 21, 2010

• #1

What could have happened? I was an idiot and left my temp. parking pass in an "unobvious" area, and she was towed. Before she was towed, I had her parked in first gear with the e brake pulled. Today, after recovering her, there is an obvious new noise coming from the rear that is reverberating through the shifter. This only happens when letting off the gas at a low RPM or pressing too hard initially on the gas pedal at low RPM. WTF? 140 for the tow now this THIS is insult to injury. Whatdya think?

 

M

Midnight2V

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Jan 30, 2009

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Jan 21, 2010

#2

• Jan 21, 2010

• #2

They probably towed your baby with the front lifted and the rear wheels on the road. If they did it means they were windmilling the tranny and the engine all the way to wherever their yard is. Of course, you will never get them to admit that...

 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician

Aug 14, 2009

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Houston Texas

Jan 21, 2010

#3

• Jan 21, 2010

• #3

How many miles? Have you performed a visual inspection under the car?

If the noise changes in response to load, it is unlikely to be some debris caught in the running gear.

Do you know if the car was towed on its front wheels or dragged onto a flat bed? Does your E-brake hold the car? Is it possible they towed from the front wheels and dragged with the rear wheels on the ground? It is possible the tires were "flat spotted"?

The Mustang rear end is fairly strong. I wouldn't think dragging the car on its rear wheels a short distance would hurt it.

Can you describe the noise and the conditions? Happening only at low RPM is odd. Normally rear-end problems are load/speed related.

The noise may be U-joints or a pinion bearing. But based upon the available information it is too soon to say.

What about Cats? Could the exhaust system have been damaged/crushed by the tow?

Again, a vid of the noise may help.

 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member

Jun 25, 2009

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U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!

Jan 21, 2010

#4

• Jan 21, 2010

• #4

What kind of noise? Squeal, clunking, whining?

 

G

GTtopLESS

New Member

Nov 8, 2007

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Jan 21, 2010

#5

• Jan 21, 2010

• #5

Well, the tow facility was 7 miles away, I would HOPE that rules out them dragging my rear tires... Honestly, the sound is not consistent, but if I am in second gear and accelerating, at say 1700 rpm, and immediately let off the gas it will "dutatuh" and same when I immediately throttle back on. I will try to record this noise tomoro. Sounds like rearend is loose and it is causing a ripple effect up through the shifter into my palm..? I am set to meet a insurance repair facility tomoro and they will determine if it is caused by the tow. Any welds or other possible places I should direct their attention.?

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

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Mar 30, 2005

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Jan 21, 2010

#6

• Jan 21, 2010

• #6

I find it unlikely that they would drag it to the tow yard. What happened was that they dragged it onto a flatbed parked adjacent to your vehicle. If you had witnessed your car wheel hopping and bouncing up onto that flatbed you probably would have gone off.

Be nice until it is time to stop being nice. You have damages to collect.

First step is to immediately report it to your insurance agent, document the incident, and get a written repair estimate.

I would not recommend mentioning how you may have left your pass in a non-visible location. Do not lie about it just avoid mentioning it if possible.

Also I think the damages are to the trans, not the rear end.

 

G

GTtopLESS

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Nov 8, 2007

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Jan 22, 2010

#7

• Jan 22, 2010

• #7

Ok, this morning I experienced something I used to get with my '84 5.0 5spd. As I started to let the clutch out and give gas, my car started shaking, rather violently. This only happened for maybe 1-2 seconds; it disappeared once the clutch pedal was disengaged. This shaking caused the WHOLE car to vibrate. Whether the car was towed legally or not shouldnt affect who is responsible for the damages, dont you think? I dont see this working out in my favor JUST because it is not a visible mistake. BUT if it wasnt there originally than it should be repaired....ohhh this is gonna be an interesting day. Thanks for your opinions.

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

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Jan 22, 2010

#8

• Jan 22, 2010

• #8

I was thinking about this some more and I think you should try to determine if there is video of the parking lot if so try to get a copy. Tell security a story do not tell them you are preparing a case against the towing company and/or the parking lot owner. a lot of times they will recycle the tapes or hard drive space you probably only have a few days to get the video if it exists.

What gear was the car in when it was parked, was the e-brake set?

 

G

GTtopLESS

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Nov 8, 2007

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Jan 22, 2010

#9

• Jan 22, 2010

• #9

Although it is a nice complex, there are no cameras. The car was parked in first gear and yes the e brake was set.

 

sneaky98gt

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Apr 23, 2008

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Jan 22, 2010

#10

• Jan 22, 2010

• #10

Sounds like to me (regardless of what's actually wrong) that the towing company is responsible for whatever is wrong. And you're gonna have a hard time getting them to admit that. I would go ahead and talk to a lawyer as well.