I am new to this site for starters...
I own a 2002 mustang gt automatic trans and it has almost 93000 miles on it.
My problem is that when I accelerate I have been getting a loud vibrating/ grinding noise that sounds like it deffinately has to do with my exhaust system. I don't hear it at speeds higher than 60 when I accelerate. It also feels like the car is dragging or struggling to accelerate when this happens. Please help.

 

Sorry but you've posted in the 2005-2013 4.6L forum. These are different animals than the earlier cars/engines.

 

What speeds and RPMs are you hearing it at?

 

Post a video. I can go on for days about noises. Can't tell what yours is without hearing it

 

Low speeds usually when I'm accelerating from a dead stop or low speed. I never hear it when I get over 50 mph. RPMs look liklike 1000 to 2000

 

Ok do this, find a road, drive up the road at a speed where the noise is at it's loudest, put the car in neutral without using the brakes while it is rolling, see if the noise persists. If the noise goes away, then rev the engine while it is still rolling in neutral to see if it returns. This is just a trick to try and diagnose if a noise is coming from the engine, trans, or the suspension. If you still hear the noise while the car is in neutral and rolling, but the noise does not get louder when you rev the engine, then it could be a wheel bearing.

While you're at it you may wanna go under the car and see if the exhaust is touching the drive shaft. Although if it were, then the noise would be at all speeds. See if it gets louder over bumps or dips in the road. And try to pinpoint the noise to see if it is coming from the front of the car or under it. You can also try driving it and manually shifting it from 1st gear to see if it is in any specific gear. But to me it sounds like you either have a a problem with one of your low transmission gears or the wheel bearing. I hope this helps.

 

Check trans and motor mounts along with the exhaust hangers and go from there.

 

Pardon my noobiness, but could this be bad cats?

 

Thank you for all your incite. The noise was coming from the exhaust after all. I got it on a lift and my tail pipe on the left side from the muffler back was grinding on the rear axle and fuel tank. We adjusted it and its been fine ever since.

 

weird because an issue like that shouldn't cause the car to have a lack of power