Clinking/clanking noise from (rear?)

[Ghost001]

Hello,

Lately, I've noticed a "clink" or "clank" noise occasionally coming from (I think) the rear of my stang.

It usually happens right before the car is comes to a stop, or right after the car begins to accelerate from a stop.

Sometimes, it happens when the car is moving very slowly, like when I'm driving in the drive thru lane at a fast food restaurant.

Sometimes, it happens when the rear axle goes over a speed bump, if I'm going really slowly.

It's usually a single "clank" or "clink", but every once in a while, if I'm driving slowly, it is several clinks in succession.

It happens when I'm going in a straight line, and it happens when I'm turning.

I can barely hear it with the windows rolled up, but it seems sort of loud when I have the windows rolled down.

I'm getting ready to change the diff fluid, and install an FRPP diff cover and bearing cap stud kit today or tomorrow.

My stang has zero perfomance mods. I took it to the track once, and I occasionally get on it.

I wish I had changed the diff fluid after the break-in period, but I did not, so I'm changing it now. My stang has 33,000 miles on it.

Is there anywhere I should look, either inside the pumpkin or elsewhere (U-Joint? brakes? axle?), for the source of this clank?

Update: I've noticed that, a lot of times, here is what happens:

The car is stopped. I accelerate for a few seconds, then let up on the gas at about 10 mph. That's when I hear the clank, when I let up on the gas.

 

[97BlackSteed]

I had the same exact problem. Turned out to be a lower control arm bushing. I replaced them with new solids, and the sound is gone.

 

[Ghost001]

I had the same exact problem. Turned out to be a lower control arm bushing. I replaced them with new solids, and the sound is gone.

What is a "lower control arm bushing"? Is it easy to replace? Would I have to remove lots of parts (wheels, etcetera) in order to replace it?

 

[97BlackSteed]

Basically, there are 2 "arms" that control front to back and side to side movement of the rear end. Your springs sit on these lower control arms, thats one way to quickly point them out. You would have to support the rear end and take them loose to get at the bushings. Getting the bushings replaced might require a little more work. I am almost positive they are pressed in. I replaced mine with new control arms. Might end up being cheaper that way. Just depends on how much Ford or someone else wants to charge you for the bushings and install.

 

[Ghost001]

Basically, there are 2 "arms" that control front to back and side to side movement of the rear end. Your springs sit on these lower control arms, thats one way to quickly point them out. You would have to support the rear end and take them loose to get at the bushings. Getting the bushings replaced might require a little more work. I am almost positive they are pressed in. I replaced mine with new control arms. Might end up being cheaper that way. Just depends on how much Ford or someone else wants to charge you for the bushings and install.

Thanks, Black Steed.

I'll definitely take a look at that, when I get the car up on the rhino ramps today. I may even pick up some jack stands, so that I can get a better look at these lower control arms.

That would be nice, if it's the lower control arm bushings, rather than something more serious, like the differential.

 

[Ghost001]

I am almost positive they are pressed in.

Do you mean that they can be pulled out or put in, or tightened, without removing anything else?

Also, do you think I can tell by looking at them, or by feeling them, whether they are loose or not?

 

[Ghost001]

Update: I've noticed that, a lot of times, here is what happens:

The car is stopped. I accelerate for a few seconds, then let up on the gas at about 10 mph. That's when I hear the clank, when I let up on the gas.

 

[Ghost001]

One person told me I should grease the lower control arm bushiings.

Is that a good idea?

Is it easy to do? Do I need to remove anything, in order to do it?

What type of grease should I use?

 

[2002BLGT]

check your rear control arm bushings out , my car had 8 thousand miles on it when i put on my flowmaster catback , i always thought the a$$ end of the car acted funny , after we drove it down the road the control arm was rubbing a pipe , brought it back and put it on the lift , and saw a 1/4 inch gap where the bolts going thru the control arm and bushing at the body were not even tightened up from the factory , i was kinda pissed but tightened it up and drove down the road , i was so happy with the improved handling i never even thought about again till just now when i read this post , maybe its just some loose bolts back there , check it out anyway to be sure

 

[Isaac-1]

Check the rear sway bar, I had a similar problem, turned out to be a loose bolt on the rear sway bar.

Ike

 

[Ghost001]

Thanks Ike and 2002BLGT!

I'll check both of those things out.

 

[Roush21]

Hello,

Lately, I've noticed a "clink" or "clank" noise occasionally coming from (I think) the rear of my stang.

It usually happens right before the car is comes to a stop, or right after the car begins to accelerate from a stop.

Sometimes, it happens when the car is moving very slowly, like when I'm driving in the drive thru lane at a fast food restaurant.

Sometimes, it happens when the rear axle goes over a speed bump, if I'm going really slowly.

It's usually a single "clank" or "clink", but every once in a while, if I'm driving slowly, it is several clinks in succession.

It happens when I'm going in a straight line, and it happens when I'm turning.

I can barely hear it with the windows rolled up, but it seems sort of loud when I have the windows rolled down.

I'm getting ready to change the diff fluid, and install an FRPP diff cover and bearing cap stud kit today or tomorrow.

My stang has zero perfomance mods. I took it to the track once, and I occasionally get on it.

I wish I had changed the diff fluid after the break-in period, but I did not, so I'm changing it now. My stang has 33,000 miles on it.

Is there anywhere I should look, either inside the pumpkin or elsewhere (U-Joint? brakes? axle?), for the source of this clank?

Update: I've noticed that, a lot of times, here is what happens:

The car is stopped. I accelerate for a few seconds, then let up on the gas at about 10 mph. That's when I hear the clank, when I let up on the gas.

Did you check the rear sway bar??? I snapped mine on my 96 cobra one time and took my a day or two to notice what it was. I heard some weird clanking kind of similar to what your describing. You might have to pull on it alittle because mine snapped right where the bolts go and would be hard to just see.

 

[Ghost001]

Did you check the rear sway bar??? I snapped mine on my 96 cobra one time and took my a day or two to notice what it was. I heard some weird clanking kind of similar to what your describing. You might have to pull on it alittle because mine snapped right where the bolts go and would be hard to just see.

Thanks, Roush.

I haven't checked it yet. I haven't looked under the car at all in the last 2 months, because I've been so busy at work. This phenomenon has been occuring for about 2 months.

I'll be sure to try pulling on the rear sway bar.

 

[LS2 KLR]

I had the exact same thing happen. I had a bolt come loose on my lower control arm and also wore out the bushing. It then used this as an excuse to buy aftermarket upper and lowers And while you're at it, change the bushings in your differential! However, I still have the noise Friday I changed mufflers and while it was in the air inspected my car. Because my car is lowered, the bolt on the axle side, is hitting up against my shock. The control arms have a upper bolt hole and a lower. I am going to have to pull the bolt out of the top and place it in the lower one.

 

[Ghost001]

And while you're at it, change the bushings in your differential!

Thanks, Joe.

I'll check to see if a bolt has come loose.

What are differential bushings? Do you have to remove a bunch of stuff (wheels, etcetera) to change them?

 

[ASilver2001GT]

Had the same problem a while back. Mine was coming from the upper control arm. The bolt had backed out. If I were I'd check all the bolts on the control arms and make sure they are tight. While you're at it, check the bushings too.

 

[forpit2000gt]

there are no differential bushings, just upper and lower control arm bushings. they connect to the axle around the differential. a pry bar may solve the problem. look real close at the exaust to see if there are any marks on it. I don't think there are grease fittings on your factory control arms.

 

[Ghost001]

Thanks, Silver and forpit2000gt.

I will take a look at all of the bolts on the upper and lower control arms, as well as the bushings, and look for marks on the exhaust.

 

[LS2 KLR]

EDIT: It was actually my upper, not my lower control arm. The bushings on the differential are the "ears." The best way to remove them is melting them with a torch. If not, I've heard a drill will work.

 

[Roush21]

Just an important note: When changing parts like control arms, driveshafts and stuff like that where bolts may come loose always use some loc tite on the bolts b4 putting them in, this will help from them becoming loose and backing out.