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

What Is The Diagnosis

  • Thread starter Thread starter wells1989
  • Start date Start date Apr 2, 2016

wells1989

Active Member
Mar 2, 2015
63
48
28
Indiana Pa
Apr 2, 2016
#1
  • Apr 2, 2016
  • #1
1990 fox with 56k. Only mods are cat back exhaust, ram air cervinis kit, 17x9 cobra r, maximum motorsport sport strut tower, k-member, and frame connectors.
The car does a lot of sitting especially the last few years. Last thing i did last August was put the chasis stiffening parts on. I drove it 1 time in September and it sat until last night. I drove about 10 miles and when i entered a parking lot i noticed a moaning, squeaky like chatter. I originally thought it was something clutch related. A few more miles around town and i am thinking maybe my rear end. It only makes the noise at slow speeds and when turning.

Can anyone please give me advice and also school me on what type of rear end is in a fox and how it works.

My buddy had an 04 mach 1 with 3k miles on it that did this. He was told the clutches dried out from setting?

Ps the posi is still working!!
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Apr 2, 2016
#2
  • Apr 2, 2016
  • #2
I would put money on your control arm bushings making the noise before your clutches. If you've strengthened the frame you're making your rear arms work that much harder.
 
Reactions: A5literMan and Davedacarpainter

Davedacarpainter

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...
SN Certified Technician
Nov 28, 2015
11,833
11,633
203
Discordia
Apr 2, 2016
#3
  • Apr 2, 2016
  • #3
Your rear end is an 8.8" (that is the size of the ring gear on your diff. btw). it uses a traklock differential. You'll either have 2.73 or the optional 3.08 gears. 28 spline c-clip axles. Drum brakes. 4 lug hub.
 
Last edited: Apr 3, 2016

A5literMan

At least it is lumpy...
5 Year Member
Jul 30, 2011
4,674
2,343
194
Illinois
Apr 2, 2016
#4
  • Apr 2, 2016
  • #4
Also it could be the driveshaft. Put it on jackstands with someone in the car. Lie beside the car while they put it in gear and let the clutch out. Just to get everything in motion. See if you can isolate where the notice is coming from.
 
Reactions: Davedacarpainter

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Apr 2, 2016
#5
  • Apr 2, 2016
  • #5
A5literMan said:
Also it could be the driveshaft. Put it on jackstands with someone in the car. Lie beside the car while they put it in gear and let the clutch out. Just to get everything in motion. See if you can isolate where the notice is coming from.
Click to expand...
My experience, and I could be wrong, is that unsprung suspension will not duplicate the same results. Off the ground one tire will spin faster than the other and both tires will likely exhibit a good amount of oscillation. The drive shaft angle changes dramatically which also influences results there as well.

My gut is really leaning towards bushings. The fact that it's more noticeable during a turn especially at low speed is my biggest tip off in this situation.
 
Last edited: Apr 2, 2016
Reactions: A5literMan

A5literMan

At least it is lumpy...
5 Year Member
Jul 30, 2011
4,674
2,343
194
Illinois
Apr 2, 2016
#6
  • Apr 2, 2016
  • #6
stykthyn said:
My experience, and I could be wrong, is that unsprung suspension will not duplicate the same results. Off the ground one tire will spin faster than the other and both tires will likely exhibit a good amount of oscillation. The drive shaft angle changes dramatically which also influences results there as well.

My gut is really leaning towards bushings. The fact that it's more noticeable during a turn especially at low speed is my biggest tip off in this situation.
Click to expand...
Agree with you. That makes sense. I will say though if a u joint is going bad they will still squeak without suspension load etc.
 

89oem

Mustang Master
Dec 18, 2013
1,456
542
144
Apr 2, 2016
#7
  • Apr 2, 2016
  • #7
Like above somewhere in the suspension, use will get it to mellow, go away, or tell you exactly whats going out.

Rear, you can spin the wheel and count axle revolutions or easier; read the tag on the differential 2L73 (2.73) or 3L08 (3.08). You can also tell the original gears if the driver door data tag is still there. Under AX will be a code. M=2.73 and Z=3.08. All GT's and 5.0L LX's came with traction loc
 
Reactions: Davedacarpainter and stykthyn

wells1989

Active Member
Mar 2, 2015
63
48
28
Indiana Pa
Apr 3, 2016
#8
  • Apr 3, 2016
  • #8
I know my car has 3.08 gears based on the doort tag. I took it for another spin yesterday and tried to recreate the noise that was so awful the night before. I was able to make it happen but it was way less noticable. I drove in circles in an intersection.
 

Boosted92LX

It's only an inch or two. What's the big deal?
15 Year Member
Dec 19, 2010
5,721
4,244
224
Apr 3, 2016
#9
  • Apr 3, 2016
  • #9
A traction lock diff that has had the oil changed, but no friction modifier added for the clutches will behave EXACTLY like you are describing. Been there. Done that.

I don't use lube shops anymore.
 
Reactions: A5literMan and stykthyn

wells1989

Active Member
Mar 2, 2015
63
48
28
Indiana Pa
Apr 3, 2016
#10
  • Apr 3, 2016
  • #10
Considering i have not had my rear diff oil changed in the 10 years i have owned the car and assuming it was never changed prior to that either could this be the problem? Also the fact that my car sat 7 months with out moving would have left the clutches to dry out. My question is will they quite down if i change the lube or is it time to do a rebuild and put in 355s or 373. It would be ashame to not change the gear if i was already in there
 

Boosted92LX

It's only an inch or two. What's the big deal?
15 Year Member
Dec 19, 2010
5,721
4,244
224
Apr 3, 2016
#11
  • Apr 3, 2016
  • #11
wells1989 said:
Considering i have not had my rear diff oil changed in the 10 years i have owned the car and assuming it was never changed prior to that either could this be the problem? Also the fact that my car sat 7 months with out moving would have left the clutches to dry out. My question is will they quite down if i change the lube or is it time to do a rebuild and put in 355s or 373. It would be ashame to not change the gear if i was already in there
Click to expand...

Well, has it been leaking? Are you sure it even has oil in it?
 

Boosted92LX

It's only an inch or two. What's the big deal?
15 Year Member
Dec 19, 2010
5,721
4,244
224
Apr 3, 2016
#12
  • Apr 3, 2016
  • #12
I'd pull the plug and stick something in to see if you have a level.
 

wells1989

Active Member
Mar 2, 2015
63
48
28
Indiana Pa
Apr 3, 2016
#13
  • Apr 3, 2016
  • #13
Def not leaking and has not leaked a drop in the 10 years i have owned it.
 

Boosted92LX

It's only an inch or two. What's the big deal?
15 Year Member
Dec 19, 2010
5,721
4,244
224
Apr 3, 2016
#14
  • Apr 3, 2016
  • #14
wells1989 said:
Def not leaking and has not leaked a drop in the 10 years i have owned it.
Click to expand...

Maybe you have a carrier baering or a wheel bearing crapping out. Wouldn't hurt to do an inspection and oil change.
 
Reactions: A5literMan and Davedacarpainter
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

What's your tow rig?
  • LILCBRA
  • May 31, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
3
Views
123
Other Auto Tech May 31, 2026
LILCBRA
6
New Member 1969 Mach 1
  • 69Resto
  • Sep 19, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
2
Views
161
The Welcome Wagon Sep 19, 2025
69Resto
6
Progress Thread Progress Thread- From6to8's 95 GT/Saleen Supercharged 331 install
  • from6to8
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
880
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 6, 2026
from6to8
New Member with a 1992
  • Clutchfork
  • Oct 18, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
5
Views
290
The Welcome Wagon Oct 19, 2025
Clutchfork
Progress Thread The Mach Returns - Update/build thread
  • squeak93
  • Feb 20, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
323
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 1, 2026
squeak93
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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?