Hey there everyone,

This is my first post in this forum so let me give a bit of backstory. I've been a mustang owner since 2010 when I picked up my '07 V6 Coupe. Since then, I have had various things replaced and upgraded, but I've had persisting problems with the front suspension and brakes.

Back in january, I was forced to brake quickly to avoid an accident causing the brakes to lock and the car to go into a skid, which immediately affected the car's handling (with a noticeable wheel wiggle above 60mph). I got it checked out a few days later and was told I'd need new tie rod ends for the front passenger side wheel, but as I am a recent college grad with little time and money to throw down on more repairs, I put this off.

Fast forward to today, I was driving on the NJ Turnpike (shoutout to anyone from jersey) and was forced, along with many other drivers to come to a screeching halt (like before). Moments after, I heard and felt a large knocking tear come from the bottom of my car. This happened again a good five minutes later so I pulled over to a rest stop to see the damage, which was not obvious. Towards the end of my journey (a good two hours later), I felt a final violent jolt and witnessed a large object jettison from the undercarriage of my car, which I picked up using a newspaper (it was hot).

The car is apparently still drivable, but I'm going to take a wild guess and say that it's not at all safe to drive. Any insight into my problem would be greatly appreciated, because I don't really have a technical background. Also, below is a link to the picture of the piece that broke off... if anyone can identify it, I would be grateful!



Thanks

John

 

The car isn't drivable, that is the pulley damper/balancer off your crank pulley. Notice the ribbing? That is where your belt is supposed to ride. Now your belt, if it is attached, is burning up because it is running on what remains of the system. Look down the front of your engine to the bottom and you will see where it was supposed to be.

The belt will burn off and then your power steering will quit and your water pump probably isn't turning properly either so expect an overheating; of course your alternator isn't turning properly because the belt isn't in place properly and is likely just sliding across what remains of the crank pulley. So watch for things to start shutting down as your battery drains if you keep driving.

These have been known to break because the stock set up is a two piece design with a rubber section that can fail. You can see a piece of it in the upper left of your picture.

 

to be honest i am surprised the car is running at all. that should throw of your balance of your engine. also it is weird ow it came of from a sudden stop. thats a new one in my book and i will keep a look at my car for this to happen. how many miles is on your car?

 

It was probably loose already, and coming to sudden stops caused it to eventually work forward and off completely. Wow.

 

Wow... Thanks for your replies! I know I wore down the front suspension, but I had no idea that the engine bay components were messed up... The car just passed 39,000 miles and going with what was mentioned about it being off balance, NJ and NYC roads are some of the worst roads in the country. I might try and limp it to a garage when I can...

 

UPDATE: Went out and popped the hood. Apparently the belt is staying on only with luck.

 

Originally from NJ, moved to SC 3 years ago. Have you tried Chris Winters down at Crazy Horse Racing in S. Amboy? Look @ my Sig., he's done most of the work. Tell him Ron, the guy with the Laser Red 'Vert sent you.

 

So is it wierd that last year when my belt broke my car ran just fine and I could start it with no problems??

 

no, must not have driven far with it off other wise the battery would have died.

 

It broke on the way to the bar and we I got done at the bar two hours later came back out and it started right up no problems