Passenger side noise in reverse/coasting

[SHO13]

My 93 MTX w 176K has been making an intermittent noise when coasting or in reverse. The sounds varies a bit from a crackling to a faint clunking. It seems to be coming from the passenger side front area.

I have recently replaced virtually the entire suspension, tokicos/eibachs, control arms, tie rod ends, end links, sway bar bushings, strut rod bushings (TPR) etc. I also added aluminum subframe bushings.

The carrier bearing on the intermediate shaft has an oil film all around it but doesn't show any signs of being loose, all the rubber is still in good condition.

I wiggled the intermediate shaft and there really isn't any play in it, the half shaft connecting to it has about 1/8" of play which I'm assuming is fine.

Reverse seems to be where it is most noticeable. It almost seems sluggish as if something is binding somewhere. 1st thru 5th are fine, except for the occasional noise while coasting.

I've had this car 13yrs and it never used to make this noise.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[SHO13]

I took her out to a parking lot and did some troubleshooting/driving. When I let out the clutch in reverse the noise is most apparent. It sounds similar to a grind/rattle and seems to come from the passenger side front area.

I do not get any noise when going forward in 1st-5th, except if I let off the gas and coast (this is more noticeable at higher rpm).

To sum it up... I only get the noise when starting out in reverse and while decelerating/coasting in gear. Could CV joints make this noise when reverse torque is applied to them? Boots look good and I don't get any clicking while turning.

 

[93rev2sev]

is your sway bar upside down?

 

[SHO13]

The sway bar is in the same factory orientaiton. I only swapped the bushings, didn't pull the bar out. The bolts are tight too.

 

[SHO13]

 

[St Louis SHO]

rear motor mount bad?

 

[Endri_SHO]

rear motor mount bad?

thats what it is man

i had the same problem on my 93 sho.. i replaced the rear motor mount noise is gone now.. to happy about it..

 

[SHO13]

How can you tell if it's bad? Visual check? I took a look at it, not sure what it's supposed to look like new. I did the engine test to see if it moved with the brake on but it was inconclusive.

Appreciate the posts.

SHO13

 

[kzoosho]

well have some one look with the hood up and see if your motor move severely thats about it.

 

[Howdy_Doody]

Could be the sub frame bushings, I think that's what's doing it on mine.

 

[SHO13]

I replaced the front + rear motor mounts with SHO nut reinforced ones, I had a rear torn mount. This fixed some of the noise but there is definitely another culprit.

When I put the car in reverse and let off the clutch there is a growling sound and vibration or shudder. I get similar results when I let off the gas while in 1st or 2nd gear and let the car decelerate.

The tranny shifts fine into all 5 gears and reverse. 182K on tranny - Mobil 1.

I don't get the noise in 1st thru 5th, just reverse and while decelerating.

Transmission? Clutch? Axles?

I added ALSFB and they are torqued down, so I don't think they are the problem.

Thanks,

 

[93rev2sev]

Wild guessing....

Wheel bearings.

Did you have poor alignment for a long time?

 

[SHO13]

She has brand new Timken bearings (recent 96 brake upgrade). Alignment has been good and I recently replace the entire front suspension. It was doing this before and after.

Feels more like a clutch shudder as it tends to shake the car. Anyway to check if its the axles?

 

[SHO13]

Well the SHO is parked till i can figure out what's wrong with it. The problem escalated to a constant vibration. The car feels like its running rough, similar to running on 5 cylinders (if you ever had oil/water in your plug wells). My plug wells and wires are clean. Feels like something is out of balance. This vibration occurs even when the car is idling in neutral.

When I put the car in reverse it shudders/shakes quite a bit.

A transmission shop replaced my clutch about 40K miles ago, Ford OEM and the ceramic TOB was included. The clutch pedal stiffness has increased quite a bit since then.

The tranny shifts smoothly into all gears, no grinding at all. I'm going to pull the starter when I get a chance and take a peek at the flywheel/pressure plate.

Questions:

1. Could the flywheel or pressure plate be backing out. Not sure if the shop used loctite or not. Has anyone experienced this before? Symptoms?

2. Anyone know why reverse gear shakes the car when letting the clutch out and the other gears really don't?

Any other ideas?

 

[hawkeye18]

I'd say CV axles. If the bearings are worn, they won't want to reverse the torque load on them easily. 90% of the time, you're going forward, so CV axles tend to wear based on that torque input.

What's the last time you changed the axles?

 

[SHO13]

I had the driver side replaced about 2 months ago, passenger was several years ago. The vibration occurs even when parked and idling.