[AnubisXII]

Howdy folks.
My 1971 Mustang started making a new sound today. Kind of a thumping sound. It's kinda weird and semi-random. I thought (and was hoping) that it was someone- I mean... SomeTHING in the trunk. It's a low thump that almost seemed like it might have been the sound of my wheels hitting the expansion joints (crossways grooves) in the road. I must have been doing 40mph or so when it first happened, and taking it on the highway, applying my brakes didn't stop the thump, but after slowing down, the thump would quieten down. It's kinda like:
"Thump thump thump..... thump thump..... thump thump thump thump..... thump... thump thump.... )
Any ideas? It's coming from somewhere towards the rear of my car. Ugh. Hopefully I didn't run over that Disney rabbit. That things gotta be 80 years old by now.
But my tires look good and I checked my trunk. Don't know what to do next.

 

[AnubisXII]

Wow. I couldn't even drive it this morning. It's really bad. It's like someone is hitting the underside of my car with a rubber mallet. And it continues to do it even when I'm almost to a stop. Oh. Taxi's here. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go.
Maybe it'll be cheaper on my way home if I just walk over to the pizza joint and order a pizza to be delivered to my place and just ride with them. And maybe I'll give them wrong directions and get a discount for being late...
And my rear end is welded. Not bolted. I dont even know how to check that.

 

[Cobra6]

Have you checked to see if you have something wrapped around your drive shaft?

 

[StevenCobra8494]

Might be a broken wheel stud. I had the same issue before but on the front. The thumping sound would get really really loud on the highway, but got more quiet when I slowed down. Jack up your rear end and take the wheels off to check what's going on.

 

[cindys_sn95]

maybe a loose shock? might want to take a look underneath...

 

[Print Dad]

Hello AnubisXII,
Before getting into this too far -try the SIMPLE
things like
1. - Make CETAIN all the lugs are tight - very important
2. - Visual check of the shock - like mentioned by my friend cindys_sn95
3. - Check the exhaust pipes - could be a broken hanger and a flopping pipe

You need to find out what is happening before it gets worse. LIkely something
simple - - I always like to start simlpe

After the simple - time for a little more serious investigation
U-joints - - axle bearings - -brake issue - many things BUT I suggest
start simple

Print Dad

 

[Lizer]

Also, make sure there isn't a mouse playing his drum set in your gas tank. I had problems with a guitar-toting mouse in my seat until I crushed him and the rest of his band with a breaker bar.

I should probably go to bed now.

 

[Print Dad]

Hello Lizer.
BAck away from the computer = - DO NOT pass GO
DO NOT collect $200.00. Get some rest

AnubisXII - repeat - check the simple stuff and let us know.

Print Dad

 

[AnubisXII]

Gee, Mr. Dad. Or can I just call you Print? I just got in from a 16 hour day, and reading what you have suggested makes me wanna go back outside and check the simple things. Maybe even look for a guitar playing mouse. I need a guitarist, but all we have 'round these parts are accordion playing mices.
I'll put my shoes on and go back out there and wiggle some doohickeys and crank on some lugs. I don't know though... That concrete out there looks mighty cumfy. And I have been known to wake up out there under that car.

I'll letcha know.
Oh... If it means anything, I did get that thumping on the way home from work tonight. It's really aggressive sounding. But this time when I heard it, I did something I haven't tried yet. I gunned it. Put it to the floor. And the noise stopped. Crazy stuff, man. Crazy.

 

[Print Dad]

Hello AnubisXII,
If you check under the car - -take a look at the universals.
They attach to the driveshaft. See if you can push the driveshaft
up and down in the front or back joint. Could be an issue there.

You can call me whatever works for you - P DAD Pdrizzle whatever.
Just you know - - Lizer and I are friends and at times I rag on him
a bit BUt he is a real SOLID responder on the forum

Let us know

P dad

 

[AnubisXII]

Ugh. What a day/night. I've been on the side of the highway for three hours now, and AT&T roadside assistance said it was gonna be another three hours to get a tow home. It was running fine. No slapping or thumping- anything like that. Until on my way home today. I checked all those simple things the other day, but all that was good.
Well... After work, it started thumping, and I had to come to a complete stop to shut it up. And now my drivers side wheel (thumper) is extended beyond the edge of my rear fender and the top of the wheel is slanted inward. I think I'm screwed. I tried just idling home, but thats when I noticed the wheel extending into my outside rear-view mirror sight line. I think part of my bearing is laying on the ground. Is my axle screwed up? Isn't there 4 bolts behind my wheel and brakes to keep that from happening? Man. I don't know whats going on with this thing.

 

[Print Dad]

Hello AnubisXII,
That STINKS for sure and I imagine yu are not happy BUT please try to keep
a few things in mind
1. - You are OK and did NOT get hurt or hurt others
2. - The car can and will be fixed
3.- You now know the issue and I don't mean to sound funny - -now it will be fixed.

So what is the plan? are you going to have the car towed home or to a shop?

If you take it home - -you gotta take things apart to see what happened.
Sure sounds like the axle bearing let go and the axle worked it's way outward.

I MUST be honest - -you COULD have hurt the axle - -BUt they are hard and
it is VERY possible it will be fine. You need to remove the brakes and all the hardware
then remove the 4 bolts to be able to pull the axle.
Once the axle is pulled - - you can take it to a shop to have them look at it
and install new bearings. the Axle bearings need to be pressed on.

I sure wish you had better news - -BUT please keep in mind - this will get fixed
Let us know your plans

Print DAd

 

[AnubisXII]

Hey thanks, Print Dad. Yeah. I was just a couple miles from home when this happened. Took 5 1/2 hours for the tow. The towing company was great. I think AT&T just needs to work out a few bugs.
Man. If it's just the bearing, I should be able to get on the road tomorrow. Hopefully I didn't screw up anything else. I just got in from work and boy, are my arms tired.
I'll get on it tomorrow and let you know. Thanks.

 

[Print Dad]

Hello AnubisXII,
Just curious what you found when you pulled things apart.
i HOPE you are back and running

P. Dad

 

[AnubisXII]

Hello AnubisXII,
Just curious what you found when you pulled things apart.
i HOPE you are back and running

P. Dad

Hey, yeah. It's back to "normal" now. I got the car back home and slid the axle out the rest of the way and thought about what a nice table it would make. 16x10 Cragar with a glass top... Sweet!
But I decided to fix the car instead. Luckily, a friend of mine stopped by and gave me a hand with it.

So... The only thing keeping my wheels and axles underneath me (as opposed to beside me or behind me) are bearings pressed on to my axles? That is freaky. Crosswinds really stress me out now. I keep looking out my mirrors to see if my tires extend past the fenders. But than k you all for all your support.
And I'm sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. Work has been quite demanding lately. Had to pull a few overnights because of outside contractors. I found out that I'm pretty territorial when it comes to my place of employment. And then I had to drive to Austin to catch the Rush show.