Rattle sounds like exhaust but its not the exhaust!

I recently purchased my first car ever- a black mustang gt-1997, manual. The problem i have is that when i start off in first gear, if i dont rev it upto 2000 rpm soon or if i let the clutch out too early, a rattling sound comes from the rear of the car - it sounds as if one of the exhaust components is loose, but i checked all the components and none of them shake by hand at least. when it starts rattling, i just press the clutch in a little bit and it goes away. this doesnt happen in any of the other gears of when im slowing down. is this due to the drive shatf being loose? or is it the clutch? the clutch is suppossed to be brand new- i dont know what kind though. in case i need to tighten my drive shaft which nuts do i tighten? I also noticed a huge spray of fluid on the underbody where the drive shaft meets the rear diff- all over the mufflers too- is this a pinion seal problem and is this related to my rattling problem? the fluid never accumulates on the ground but the underbody is looking pretty crappy. is this seal easy to replace? i topped off my differential fluid with royal purple max-gear 75W90 and noticed some filings in the diff too. i havent opened up the diff. cover yet though. Any help/suggesstions would be most welcome guys- thanks a bunch.

Reply to
cawas
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If you're seeing metal bits when the diff. fluid is coming out... as soon as you friggin can drain that fluid & put fresh fluid in. Get some gasket maker/sealer stuff (like $4 at any auto parts store or walmart) because you'll need it for when you put the diff. cover back on (do NOT re-use old gasket!).

This doesn't sound like the culprit. Check for a rear sway bar. If a rear sway bar ISN'T there... check to see if it was broken off or if somebody took it off. When my rear sway bar broke off (POS stock sway bar) it made a rattling noise when first taking off occassionally. Also, check obvious things like something that could rattle in your trunk.

HTH.

-Mike

Reply to
<memset

Oh and the reason I ask if it was broken off... is b/c the ends of the rear sway bar are still connected then & you can remove them and the rattle will go away.. but *please* get a better, high-quality rear sway bar in its place.

-Mike

Reply to
<memset

I'll stick 2 cents in. I think that all cars will make noise if you don't have enough rpm and you release the clutch to fast. Especially if only happens when you say it happens. I bet the car bucks a little to. That said try to tighten the crosssmember bolts that hold the transmisssion. As far as the differential is concerned you stated files are we talking metal flakes or bigger pieces? I'm wondering if the rear gears were changed?

Reply to
pete

The noise: Heat shield.

The cheapest and easiest fix for these symptoms, if, indeed, this turns out to be the culprit. It's loose and rattling - just reach in, wiggle it back and forth until it breaks off, and problem solved.

As to the fluid, I'd wash off the underbody and check it again after a time. See if this is a current leak and how much it leaks, if it still does.

dwight (My guess. What do I get if I win?)

Reply to
dwight

You win a McDonalds Cheeseburger if you win.

-Mike

Reply to
<memset

Nobody said Cheeseburger at the start of this thread, so I'd better put mine in here too now. Here's something quick and easy to look for. On my Windstar I had a rattle that did just what you described and I checked my exhaust too for the typical things, but not until it was up on a hoist did I find the slightly loose sensor on the exhaust, you could move it with your fingers. Might be worth a check if you haven't already.

Doug

snipped-for-privacy@recorddeal.com wrote:

Reply to
dellen38

LOL doug... yep.. prize is a cheeseburger, your treat.

-Mike

Reply to
<memset

Reply to
cobra boy

hey guys thanks a bunch for all the suggesstions- i will check em all out and let you know! best cawas

Reply to
cawas

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