driveline???

[chrisbudl1]

I have a bad noise coming from the rear of the cobra. I don't think it has anything to do with my new shifter, unless the shorter throw is causing it. It doesn't do it all of the time, but if I nail it in first, and shift to second, really fast, I hear a noise similiar to the same noise you hear when you turn your driveshaft by hand, and it makes contact with the transmission. only from the back of the car. and really loud. similiar to a backfire in volume. everything seems to be tight control arm wise, factory, but nothing is loose, anywhere. To me it sounds like the ring gear, and the pinion gear are banging together. I wouldn't know what to look for if I took the rear diff cover off, but I checked the fluid level, and there was a very small amount of magnetized metal stuck to the fill plug. It is missing two ring bolts, but all of the others are torqued pretty good. any suggestions. never heard this sound until I put the shifter in, but it is from the back, not under the gear box. Thanks chris

 

[sawman70]

Two missing bolts may be enough to allow flex, did you replace them?? Were the broken off??

Also, cheap and easy, replace the U-joint. It may be sick...... .

My opinion is, the shifter install was just coincidence.

 

[chrisbudl1]

the two bolts, or atleast one of them tried to eject it's self through the factory diff cover, put a nice crack in it. for some reason they wouldn't go back in. that is when I upgraded to the summit rear cover. the u joint is maybe 6 months old, I bought a custom aluminum driveshaft, for a 96 with a tremec tko, got the u joint for the t-45. The only thing I can think of is now that I can shift faster, the power on and off, and than back on again, under certain circumstances, is causing slack maybe, than bam second gear. the gears whine a little, but you wouldn't notice unless going through a neighborhood. the aluminum driveshaft, was to cure some pretty bad vibrations around 90 mph+ now there is just a little around 70-80, depending on pedal location. I think it is gears, but I don't know if the installer want's to check them out. he has a shop and a lift, but it is a messy and time consumeing process. I'll talk to him, and see what he thinks, he has done a several gear swaps since mine, maybe we missed something. sound like a good plan?

 

[sawman70]

sounds very good.

If the gear is warped or cracked or has missing bolt's, I would be concerened.

Have him check it out.

 

[chrisbudl1]

I guess I could check myself, since I have the summit cover. the gasket should be reuseable shouldn'tit? and I know the two missing bolts go on the ring gear, any idea where to get them? and for some reason, he didn't , or couldnt get them to go in. at this point, they will be new, but if they don't go, what part gets upgraded next? Thanks for the responses.

 

[sawman70]

I would get the bolts from an auto parts store and Ford, maybe get a chaser tap to clean the threads as well. Doesn't make much sense that he didn't put them in though. Are they next to each other???

 

[calgarycobra]

Major surgery needed.

IMO, if you are missing ring gear bolts you have SERIOUS problems.

I would schedule a comeplete teardown, inspection, and rebuild of your rear diff center section. Missing ring bolts is not something you can live with. Are you people crazy? Do you want your rear diff to pack it in at 100mph?

 

[calgarycobra]

Oh, and BTW, if you have ring bolts missing, I would suggest that you replace them all. Ford sells a kit to replace all the ring bolts. I see you have 4:10's ; did the person who installed the gears replace the ring bolts at the same time? I have always replaced these bolts when changing gears.

 

[chrisbudl1]

no it was pretty much free labor for a first time gear change. he didn't torque the bolts, and two backed out. probably did some thread damage, and didn't have any sitting around. other than a little whistle, and some vibrations, all wen't well. hasn't made the noise for a week, but I will have to get in there and check it out. one of these days