1984 Mustang

RalphG

RalphG

Well-known member
My first post on this side of the Ford Barn. I recently acquired a very nice 84 Mustang. Very well maintained with a newish silver repaint. Its the 3.8 V6 and still has all or most of the original emissions equipment as far as I can see.. Nearly half a million km on the odometer but it starts and drives like new. Only bug I can find is an annoying rattle in the front end on rough roads at low speed. Is that a common problem on these? I have not done a detailed examination of it but so far everything seems tight and it tracks down the road just fine.
 

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Not common when new. However, I would not be surprised by rattling on any vehicle that is 37 years old and has almost 500, 000 km.

Although my 1988 Mustang didn't rattle, something seemed amiss with the front steering/suspension. The cause? The front strut's mounting hole had become elongated. Replacing the struts cured the problem. Additionally, the tilt steering wheel suddenly starting flopping around while I was driving. I managed to drive it to a Ford dealership, just a few blocks away. They immediately fixed it, free of charge. No doubt, a less-experienced driver could have panicked and lost control of the vehicle.
 
Besides the upper strut mounts, the bushings that support the rack and pinion will wear out and rattle
 
Check your shocks. I had a rattle in my 66 Fairlane that I couldn't find. Finally had some one look at it and found the upper shocks were not tight.
 
Try lightly applying the brakes when it is rattling. I have had a loose fitting brake pad before make a rattle.
 
5851a said:
Try lightly applying the brakes when it is rattling. I have had a loose fitting brake pad before make a rattle.
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Good idea. I'll try that, but not today. Its raining and I'm not taking it out in the mud. Another suggestion I've been given was stabilizer arm bushings might be worn.
 
Sway bar end links can rattle as well. The bushings on mine were toast. Very simple fix.

Good luck. Car looks solid and complete.
 
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