Loud popping when taking off.

[88 Fox GT]

I have a loud popping noise coming from the rear end when taking off in forward or reverse. It will sometimes do it after I shift into 2nd and give it a little gas. It's not the rear end because it did it with the old rear end with 2.73s in it.

I was thinking it might be the fact that the spring isolators are nearly gone. Could the springs binding be causing this? It's done it since I bought the car but the reason I ask about it now is because it's getting louder and really makes me cringe sometimes.

I've heard broken torque boxes can cause this popping noise too, is this true? I posted a thread awhile back wondering about my torque boxes. So, where exactly do I look to see if they might be broken? What does a broken torque box look like?

 

[stangincoupe89]

man thats the same problem that i have been dealing with for the past couple of months. i cant figure it out to save my life. ive heard all kinds of stuff could be wrong. anywhere from the tourqe boxes to the u joints. maybe someone can help the both of us on this one.



89coupe-306ci, gt40 heads(p&p)1.6 rockers, ecam, 65mmtbody, trickflow upper and lower(lower ported), msd6al, 24lb injectors, 76mm c&l mass air, bbk equal length headers, hpipe, 355 gears, tremec 3550 trans, spec stage3 clutch, spec alluminum flywheel, etc........

 

[dec322]

I too have this problem but it seems to do it more when I shift from one gear to the next and give it some gas. The previous owner told me the problem was that the control arm bushings need to be replaced. I didn't know what he was talking about at the time....I just wanted a 5.0. I've been planning to get under the car and check it out.

I'm watching this thread now.

 

[88 Fox GT]

Forgot to mention that my U-joints are still pretty new. They are probably only 6 months old.

 

[Flavadave4]

I too have this problem but it seems to do it more when I shift from one gear to the next and give it some gas. The previous owner told me the problem was that the control arm bushings need to be replaced. I didn't know what he was talking about at the time....I just wanted a 5.0. I've been planning to get under the car and check it out.

I'm watching this thread now.

that could be.....did you check out under your car?

 

[Darkwriter77]

Same problem here, too. I've heard the control arm bushing theory as well, and mine do look a bit ovaled-out (being that they've got 250k on them, I think they're about shot). My torque boxes are perfectly intact, though, and my rear end is all kosher. Until I install a set of better control arms, though, I can't rule out the bushing idea completely.

I had an idea it might be the rear springs because the dingbat that installed the Eibach Drag Pack springs on my car before I got hold of it didn't feel it was necessary to install a set of spring isolators on there. I've got an idea that it might be the springs popping a little bit off-center or out of place somehow and then popping back; when I drop it hard in first or shift hard between first and second, I hear a loud POP that I thought for the longest time was an exhaust backfire ... but then another POP (slightly lesser) sounds when I let off the throttle or sometimes when I'm decelerating after a hard run and I hit a little bump that seems to set whatever's outtta place back into socket.

Good to know I'm not the only one with this issue. I was afraid it was just one of the many unique curses that seem exclusive to my 'Stang.

 

[Roland69]

sounds like a CA bushing