stangdriver2007

I have a 96 GT it only has 77k on it. when I accelerate it sounds like my exhaust is rubbing the frame and making a loud screeching sound. The exhaust is not rubbing though. Also, when going over 50 mph the car has a little vibration. The sound is coming from around the shifter area. I'm thinking the u joint needs replace but wanted some other inputs. If it is that how easy is it to change i've done many things before fixing cars, but I have never done a u joint.

stangdriver2007

anyone?

CAMDUP

it could definately be the u-joint......you better check it out asap....and if you've never done them before,it'd be easier to take it to a local shop

stangdriver2007

im not driving it now. I have 2 cars and rarely drive my mustang but I dont want to change it and find out that wasn't it. im very short for money right now due to i just started school and im paying out of my pocket. im rather mechanically inclined, so i know i can get the jist and hang of it. is it as simple as pulling the snap rings, popping off the caps and putting the new roller bearings and caps on and using a c clamp or something to push them together and putting the snap rings back in.

ezking

It's not hard. From my experience a failing u joint has been more of a clunk then a screech though. like metal on metal screeching?

If you take off the shifter there is a tiny piece of rubber under that leather boot that is supposed to be sound dampening, once that is removed you can see the asphalt under your car, try taking off the leather boot and the rubber one below it and putting the **** back on and driving around, quick and easy and might show ya where its really coming from.

you might have some more serious problems, but that opening for the shifter is the only hole on your floorboards for sound to get to ya, thats why a backed out spark plug sounds like a bottom end knock ;P

Theres always the jack stand and gas option as well, the vibration seems to match an out of balance driveshaft warped rotors or a bent axle. A U Joint continues to perform even while you arent accelerating so I want to say you would still have issues coasting, or at least a clunk. check the rear end a little, any noticable hot spots on your back rotors? I have popped rear control arms out of place and gotten symptons like that, any1 else drive your car? or find a curb lately? Poke around down there.

Also is it WOT that makes the noise or any acceleration?

stangdriver2007

it sounds like metal on metal, but like exhaust since its hollow and against the frame or something, but its not rubbing. it makes it on acceleration. I am pretty sure the sound is right below the shifter i took the cover off and the rubber boot is ripped so when going down the road it seems like right where the u joint is it doesnt make any noises when cruising it just vibrates. the rotors are all good. I can't say much for the driveshaft. it is not a rediculous vibration either but enough to notice that it is and wasn't before. it seems to be humming too. i think the humming is from the vibration though. i know the engine is not knocking and the trans was just replaced last year it has like 5k on it. the u joints were not replaced when the trans was. the rearend has about 10k on it since new gears and the bearing kit.

stangdriver2007

I am having lots of trouble getting the univerals out. the caps a siezed in the yoke. i did manage to get the half of the one by the trans and noticed the cap was broke and all my bearings were gone so im pretty sure that was the noise, but i can't the the drive shaft out due to the other caps being a pain in my ***. any ideas