Grinding noise under the car when driving up hills

[kitsune1324]

Hey guys, long time reader, not really a poster.

I have a problem with my 2000 V6 mustang when drivig up hills (typically a ramp in a parking garage) and sometimes when accelerating from first gear. What usually happens is when I start going up the ramp i can feel the car drag a bit and there's a grinding noise that starts from underneeth the car (in the middle semi towards the engine) and you can literally feel the grind throughout the car. It has been slowly doing this more and more over the past year. Any idea what it could be and if it's an easy fix?

 

[Blkkbgt]

Well that's sounds like something is hanging down under the car and contacting the ground. Have you put the car on jack stands and taken a good look?

 

[kitsune1324]

Yeah, I just replaced the oil and I didn't see anything odd. Inbetween when it started and now, I've taken the car to my mechanic a few times (for different issues) and he never noticed anything (although I didn't tell him about it..).

A little more details about it, it only happens when accelerating, if I take my foot off the gas it stops.

 

[Blkkbgt]

Auto or manual trans?

 

[kitsune1324]

Auto or manual trans?

Auto

 

[Blkkbgt]

Sounds like a trans issue of some kind if it stops when you take your foot off the gas. Could be a bearing.

 

[kitsune1324]

Any idea what the cost to fix it could be? I saw that to rebuild the trans it's about 3k..

 

[DHG1078]

Any idea what the cost to fix it could be? I saw that to rebuild the trans it's about 3k..

Go to a dedicated transmission shop. A lot of mechanics will charge you to fix it, but they send out the transmission to a transmission shop anyways, so you end up paying two shops. 3k sounds way too high to me. You can also take your chances and go hunting salvage yards for one out of a 99-04 v6 and hope it doesn't need rebuilt.

 

[kitsune1324]

Go to a dedicated transmission shop. A lot of mechanics will charge you to fix it, but they send out the transmission to a transmission shop anyways, so you end up paying two shops. 3k sounds way too high to me. You can also take your chances and go hunting salvage yards for one out of a 99-04 v6 and hope it doesn't need rebuilt.

Well the good/bad news..lets face it, it's bad. This morning while I was driving up the ramps in the parking garage I stayed in second gear and the grinding was consistant there as well.

How much would you guestimate a fix for the tranny would be?

 

[kitsune1324]

So the issue turned out to be a broken motor and transmission mount. Thanks for the replies, guys!

 

[nileppezdel77]

So the issue turned out to be a broken motor and transmission mount. Thanks for the replies, guys!

That is not what I expected the problem to be. Neat. Seems like you should have noticed the horrendous vibrations if the motor mount was screwed, and the banging and clanging noises from the trans mount being messed up long before grinding noises.

 

[DHG1078]

Not sure how I missed the update on this, but that definitely wasn't the outcome I was expecting based on the description of a "grinding" noise. Glad it was a simple fix.

 

[kitsune1324]

That is not what I expected the problem to be. Neat. Seems like you should have noticed the horrendous vibrations if the motor mount was screwed, and the banging and clanging noises from the trans mount being messed up long before grinding noises.

Not sure how I missed the update on this, but that definitely wasn't the outcome I was expecting based on the description of a "grinding" noise. Glad it was a simple fix.

From the sounds both my dad and I were hearing, we would never have expected it either, but change the mounts and drive up the same way I always do and voila. No more noise.

I appreciate the help, guys.

While you're here, any thoughts on procharging a 200k mile v6? Hahaha

 

[DHG1078]

I personally wouldn't without a full rebuild, but that's just me.

 

[nileppezdel77]

Were you planning on replacing the car anyway? If you don't mind wasting a whole bunch of money for a little bit of fun, go for it and when the engine blows (not if - when), sell the blower again and get that new car. Not, at all, an economical way to have a good time, but it's a v6 - it's not worth anything as is anyways.