Rear end problem

Lately it seems as if the rear axle on my 88 GT 'stang is moving around too
freely. The left rear wheel is even coming into contact with the front part
of the fender skirt when hitting a bump going around a left hand turn. I'm
running stock springs and tires so clearance shouldn't be an issue. I've
been under the car several times looking for anything worn or broken and I
can't find a thing that looks bad. I've even taken the car down to two
different mechanics and they say everything looks right to them as well. I
know there's something wrong with the car but I can't fix it if I can't find
it. I need some way to isolate this problem, anybody out there ever had a
similar problem or know of some way to troubleshoot it.

don't go to local mecahnic.. most aren't specailist in the mustang. there
should be at least one guy who specializes in late 3rd generation cars
within driving distance of your place. excessive wear on busing in the link
set up can't be seen from the ground and most times not from the lift. have
the car well supported (i prefer 4 jack stands on the ground) and use a long
prybar (4ft or more) and try to flex rear one side at a time. you will
probally find upper arms are worn.

"ironrod" > wrote in message
...
> Lately it seems as if the rear axle on my 88 GT 'stang is moving around
> too
> freely. The left rear wheel is even coming into contact with the front
> part
> of the fender skirt when hitting a bump going around a left hand turn.
> I'm
> running stock springs and tires so clearance shouldn't be an issue. I've
> been under the car several times looking for anything worn or broken and I
> can't find a thing that looks bad. I've even taken the car down to two
> different mechanics and they say everything looks right to them as well.
> I
> know there's something wrong with the car but I can't fix it if I can't
> find
> it. I need some way to isolate this problem, anybody out there ever had a
> similar problem or know of some way to troubleshoot it.
>
>

On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 06:32:17 GMT, "ironrod" >
wrote:

>Lately it seems as if the rear axle on my 88 GT 'stang is moving around too
>freely. The left rear wheel is even coming into contact with the front part
>of the fender skirt when hitting a bump going around a left hand turn. I'm
>running stock springs and tires so clearance shouldn't be an issue. I've
>been under the car several times looking for anything worn or broken and I
>can't find a thing that looks bad. I've even taken the car down to two
>different mechanics and they say everything looks right to them as well. I
>know there's something wrong with the car but I can't fix it if I can't find
>it. I need some way to isolate this problem, anybody out there ever had a
>similar problem or know of some way to troubleshoot it.
>

Might be an axle problem ? Did you lift the wheels off the ground and
pulled on it to see if there is movement ?
Also might be worn out (or gone) control arm bushings.
How many miles ?

Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying

ironrod wrote:

> Lately it seems as if the rear axle on my 88 GT 'stang is moving around too
> freely. The left rear wheel is even coming into contact with the front part
> of the fender skirt when hitting a bump going around a left hand turn. I'm
> running stock springs and tires so clearance shouldn't be an issue. I've
> been under the car several times looking for anything worn or broken and I
> can't find a thing that looks bad. I've even taken the car down to two
> different mechanics and they say everything looks right to them as well. I
> know there's something wrong with the car but I can't fix it if I can't find
> it. I need some way to isolate this problem, anybody out there ever had a
> similar problem or know of some way to troubleshoot it.
>
>

The rear axle housing is located by the laterally by the upper
control arms. You really need to to ake them out to check them. Remove
them one at a time, check the arm for cracks and bends, check the
bushings, and the frame/housing mounts for cracks and bends. The stock
rubber bushings do deteriorate in time. And the arms are [retty flimsy
to begine with.
Also, you might consider that the axle is sliding out of the
housing. While it's up on jack stands, grab the wheel and pull outward.
The will probably mo0ve a tad, but that should be all.

--
..boB
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1983 GMC Jimmy - Mountain Beater
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1966 FFR Cobra - Ongoing project

And stop driving it until it's fixed, duh.




"boB" > wrote in message
om...
> ironrod wrote:
>
>> Lately it seems as if the rear axle on my 88 GT 'stang is moving around
>> too
>> freely. The left rear wheel is even coming into contact with the front
>> part
>> of the fender skirt when hitting a bump going around a left hand turn.
>> I'm
>> running stock springs and tires so clearance shouldn't be an issue. I've
>> been under the car several times looking for anything worn or broken and
>> I
>> can't find a thing that looks bad. I've even taken the car down to two
>> different mechanics and they say everything looks right to them as well.
>> I
>> know there's something wrong with the car but I can't fix it if I can't
>> find
>> it. I need some way to isolate this problem, anybody out there ever had
>> a
>> similar problem or know of some way to troubleshoot it.
>>
>>
>
> The rear axle housing is located by the laterally by the upper control
> arms. You really need to to ake them out to check them. Remove them one
> at a time, check the arm for cracks and bends, check the bushings, and the
> frame/housing mounts for cracks and bends. The stock rubber bushings do
> deteriorate in time. And the arms are [retty flimsy to begine with.
> Also, you might consider that the axle is sliding out of the housing.
> While it's up on jack stands, grab the wheel and pull outward. The will
> probably mo0ve a tad, but that should be all.
>
> --
> .boB
> 1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
> 2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
> 1983 GMC Jimmy - Mountain Beater
> 1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
> 1966 FFR Cobra - Ongoing project
>

Have that bad boy towed to your nearest local ford dealer ASAP and have it
checked out. If a dealer isnt available look around and find a reputable
local shop. Possibly one that specialises in suspension work.

Dave

PS dont drive this car until fixed, my kids are on the streets too.



"ironrod" > wrote in message
...
> Lately it seems as if the rear axle on my 88 GT 'stang is moving around
> too
> freely. The left rear wheel is even coming into contact with the front
> part
> of the fender skirt when hitting a bump going around a left hand turn.
> I'm
> running stock springs and tires so clearance shouldn't be an issue. I've
> been under the car several times looking for anything worn or broken and I
> can't find a thing that looks bad. I've even taken the car down to two
> different mechanics and they say everything looks right to them as well.
> I
> know there's something wrong with the car but I can't fix it if I can't
> find
> it. I need some way to isolate this problem, anybody out there ever had a
> similar problem or know of some way to troubleshoot it.
>
>

"dgriffith4" wrote:
> Have that bad boy towed to your nearest local ford dealer ASAP
> and have it
> checked out. If a dealer isnt available look around and find a
> reputable
> local shop. Possibly one that specialises in suspension work.
>
> Dave
>
> PS dont drive this car until fixed, my kids are on the streets
> too.
>
>
>
> "ironrod" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Lately it seems as if the rear axle on my 88 GT 'stang is
> moving around
> > too
> > freely. The left rear wheel is even coming into contact
> with the front
> > part
> > of the fender skirt when hitting a bump going around a left
> hand turn.
> > I'm
> > running stock springs and tires so clearance shouldn't be an
> issue. I've
> > been under the car several times looking for anything worn
> or broken and I
> > can't find a thing that looks bad. I've even taken the car
> down to two
> > different mechanics and they say everything looks right to
> them as well.
> > I
> > know there's something wrong with the car but I can't fix it
> if I can't
> > find
> > it. I need some way to isolate this problem, anybody out
> there ever had a
> > similar problem or know of some way to troubleshoot it.
> >
> >

I honestly dont think you need to tow it, there are a lot worse cars
on the road just jack it and pull on the axles. make sure nothings
gonna fall off. and get it to someone who you trust to inspect the car
right.Drive it there just dont drive like an indy driver I have seen
lots of mustangs with broken/bent suspension components. its kind of
the nature of the beast when it comes to a subframe car with too much
tourque. A question though, have you hit any curbs or any thing along
the lines of that? I have owned several foxbody stangs and they have
all been different from each other(not one rode the same as any other)
the worst one i had was a 84 GT that someone along the way had spun
out into a curb, bending the axle shaft and housing the rear was
replaced but the symptoms persisted of a bad vibe

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Replace the upper control arms and the bushings in the axle. If the
c=clips were gone the axle would have come out by now. Lower control
arm replacement is easy would recommend doing them at the same time.