Loud scraping noise (Metal to Metal) - Ford Forums

blackbearsk · 11-05-2008, 15:05

Good afternoon, My daughter just bought her first mustang. Its a 1999 General Information...3.8 V6, Auto Trans, 2 door coupe.
Problem is a loud scraping noise coming from underneath the car when parked or driving. Sounds like metal to metal. I know its not the brakes as it continues when its not moving. The only time it stops is if I drive in onto ramps with the front end up. Then no noise. Any suggestions.

BLACKSNAKE427 · 11-05-2008, 22:43

Is The Noise Like A Rattling Metal Noise? When Car Is Running AND NOT MOVING And Its Making The Noise --shift To Reverse And Drive Does this Change The Pitch Of The Noise?

blackbearsk · 11-05-2008, 22:57

I hear it mostly when the car idles (at a light or just getting ready to shut it off) It doesn't seem to affect it at all when I shift into reverse or not. At a light shifting into neutral does nothing. Turning the a/c off doesn't change. Hopefully that give you a little more information. Willing to try or check anything. You can imagine first car for my 16 year old daughter. Getting ready to paint it Grabber orange with black racing stripes for her.....gotta love it.

blackbearsk · 11-05-2008, 22:58

Sorry, its more of a high screeching noise, almost as if the brake pads were shot. However they are new, and the vehicle doesn't have to be moving to hear it.

Matt Cramer · 11-06-2008, 07:22

Where is the oil level - is it OK? That part about it going away when you drive it up on ramps made me wonder if it's low on oil and only picking up enough when parked at an angle.

blackbearsk · 11-06-2008, 08:54

Oil level is perfect. Good oil pressure, no leaks etc. I am thinking it has to be something rubbing on a turning part and when its up on ramps it tweaks the frame enough that its not touching. Someone mentioned the heat sheild on the exhaust rubbing on the drive shaft. Something else to check.

1meanGT · 11-06-2008, 20:59

Use a long rubber hose up tp your ear and move around to better locate the noise.

blackbearsk · 11-06-2008, 22:14

Will try that in the AM. Will let you know what I find. Thanks for all the suggestions. Sometimes I need a different perspective.

BLACKSNAKE427 · 11-06-2008, 22:52

It Sounds Like You Are Some What Mechanicaly Inclined. Just To Rule This Out I Would Like For You To Remove Your Serpentine Belt. Make Sure You Have The Belt Routing Written Down Some Where Before Removing. Remember Some Cars The Belt Can Go Back On In The Wrong Direction Around The Pulleys And Look Good But Can Turn Say Your Waterpump Backwards. But By Doing This You Are Removing From The Equation The Alternator, Waterpump, Etc. Your Saying A Screeching Noise Which Could Be Coming From These Belt Driven Accesories. It Can Be Possible An Accesories Bearings Have Enough Slop In Them That At An Idle It Is Just Enough To Screech. I Hope All This Makes Some Sense. After Removing Belt Start The Mustang And See If Noise Is Still There W/o Overheating The Motor. If Noise Is Still There Then It Has Nothing To Do With The Accesories. If Noise Is Not There Then Start Looking At The Accesories. With The Motor Off And Belt Still Off If It Is The Accesories Making The Noise Try Spinning Each Pulley By Hand See Which One Is Making The Noise. Remember Noise Travels In All Directions And With The Hood Down Noise Takes The Easiest Route To Escape Which Is Down Under The Car. Try This Should Only Take About 20-30 Minutes. Let Me Know What You Find Out. I Am Curious.. I Will Be Back Tommorow Night

tracy · 11-08-2008, 06:18

blacksnack is right, if the noise is comeing when the engine is running and car not moveing then its in the mechancial moveing parts, alt. w/pump/ tourqe converter,ect.
start elimnating them to find the noise most high point. as far as it stopping when on ramps? how much incline you talking bout? and has the trans ever been replaced?
if so look under the car while on stands check the splash pan make sure converter bolts not rubbing it.