Yes or no: my '03 Cobra has bad vibration at > 80 mph
- Thread starter Jim S
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About how much mileage did you folks have on your '03 Cobra when this problem crept up?
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RE: Jim S
Jim S,
I only had 35 miles when I noticed this. Also note that the pulling issue was present as soon as I hit the freeway going past 75 mph or so. The vibration issue is definately an issue and based on the polls, clearly something Ford needs to get their shit together about. Otherwise, they'll be spending a bundle attempting to correct the issue or in buybacks. I'll reiterate my previous posts in that I'm truly amazed at how Ford and the dealers have handled this situation. Ford should be ashamed! :bash:
Jim S,
I only had 35 miles when I noticed this. Also note that the pulling issue was present as soon as I hit the freeway going past 75 mph or so. The vibration issue is definately an issue and based on the polls, clearly something Ford needs to get their shit together about. Otherwise, they'll be spending a bundle attempting to correct the issue or in buybacks. I'll reiterate my previous posts in that I'm truly amazed at how Ford and the dealers have handled this situation. Ford should be ashamed! :bash:
Welcome to the site TOC. Where in So. Texas are you?
New info from Galpin. Just heard from my service manager and a couple of Ford engineers are there taking a look at the cars. One is Jim Green, anyone know of him? At any rate, they are sending the drive shafts out to be balanced. (hasn't that already been tried?) and the information gleened from this test is being sent back to Ford. I'll keep you all informed as I find out more info tomorrow.
Stalker, It seems they're trying different approaches on our cars. Whichever stops vibrating first will probibly be the "fix" for both. My service guy, Mark Post, says they're ignoring my DS and concentrating forward of the tranny. BTW the same guy is working on mine as well and they seem to think highly of him.:shrug:
I have a vert on order, but given these issues I have been doing a whole lot of thinking - and searching the net. Interesting stuff on BlueOvalNews about 99 Cobra vibration (and engine) problems and how Ford failed miserably in dealing with it.
Here are the links:
http://www.bonforums.com/mustang/cobra_99problems071299.htm
http://www.bonforums.com/mustang/cobra_99problems051800.htm
Hope Ford comes out with (a) an admission there there is an issue, and (b) a real solution to it.
Here are the links:
http://www.bonforums.com/mustang/cobra_99problems071299.htm
http://www.bonforums.com/mustang/cobra_99problems051800.htm
Hope Ford comes out with (a) an admission there there is an issue, and (b) a real solution to it.
I definitely have the vibration... it starts at about 80, and doesn't go away as far as I can tell. I can engage the clutch and put the car in neutral, and it still vibrates, without decrease... This could still be the driveshaft, but, I'm honestly afraid to drive it at ~80MPH , because I just don't know how many bolts I'm loosening, by having it vibrate so bad. I originally thought it might be the tires... but I don't think it is. I just hope that this isn't the first complaint that my dealer has, and they get to dissect my car like some freaken science experiment. :shrug:
This is a stab in the dark, but consider this idea. After doing a little search for vibration in the t56 I came across this page and it seemed very interesting... especially in light of the fact that my service advisor has been telling me that the runout at the pinion is longer than it should be.
http://para.noid.org/~lj/Boom5/boom5.htm
Now please keep in mind that I am a novice mechanic, but does this sound like it has any merit in this case? Could the pinion yoke be crooked on the pinion splines? Can this be easily tested by someone with the means and experience?
http://para.noid.org/~lj/Boom5/boom5.htm
Now please keep in mind that I am a novice mechanic, but does this sound like it has any merit in this case? Could the pinion yoke be crooked on the pinion splines? Can this be easily tested by someone with the means and experience?
Jim S and the group:
I felt the vibe from the minute I turned out of the dealership, when I picked up my car. I began to hear a resonance at about 40-45 and by 80 I couldn’t see out if the rear view mirror. I brought it back the next day, and after not finding any other obvious problems, I demanded they order a new drive shaft, which they did do. The DS came in the following day and after replacing it, about 90% of the vibe was gone. I had already learned that the dealer was totally clueless about the indexing procedure, and as such, I refused to let them try any hit or miss half-assed attempts of fixing a problem, that in my mind would only wind up making a bad situation worse. Instead, I requested to speak to the factory rep, who turned out to be extremely knowledgeable and fully familiar with the vibe problem, (amazing that an SVT dealership could be clueless about this) as well as the indexing procedure, and not just on the yoke end of the DS. I made arrangements to meet the rep at the dealership, which is where HE fixed my car. I love this car….and by the way, unless I feather it through the gears, it clunks like crazy….I still love this car….and the noisy trans…Hey, I grew up in the 60’s. Most of my big block Chevy’s had M22’s….you haven’t heard tranny noise until you’ve driven an old rock crusher….God I love this car.
I felt the vibe from the minute I turned out of the dealership, when I picked up my car. I began to hear a resonance at about 40-45 and by 80 I couldn’t see out if the rear view mirror. I brought it back the next day, and after not finding any other obvious problems, I demanded they order a new drive shaft, which they did do. The DS came in the following day and after replacing it, about 90% of the vibe was gone. I had already learned that the dealer was totally clueless about the indexing procedure, and as such, I refused to let them try any hit or miss half-assed attempts of fixing a problem, that in my mind would only wind up making a bad situation worse. Instead, I requested to speak to the factory rep, who turned out to be extremely knowledgeable and fully familiar with the vibe problem, (amazing that an SVT dealership could be clueless about this) as well as the indexing procedure, and not just on the yoke end of the DS. I made arrangements to meet the rep at the dealership, which is where HE fixed my car. I love this car….and by the way, unless I feather it through the gears, it clunks like crazy….I still love this car….and the noisy trans…Hey, I grew up in the 60’s. Most of my big block Chevy’s had M22’s….you haven’t heard tranny noise until you’ve driven an old rock crusher….God I love this car.
All,
Folks should follow Fred G.'s advice. Make the dealer go right to the rep. Unfortunately you may need to do at least one visit to the dealer, whereupon they won't be able to fix it, before you can escallate it.
I am waiting on the rep myself. My dealership clearly doesn't have th e tools to deal with the problem, although I believe the tech is open minded and honest about it. The service head, however, thats the guy who works the phone, is more evasive.
As for the clunk, I've ridden in several LS1s and corvettes with this same tranny. Its the tranny, not the car, and is "normal" for it. Its a beefy transmission, after all.
Folks should follow Fred G.'s advice. Make the dealer go right to the rep. Unfortunately you may need to do at least one visit to the dealer, whereupon they won't be able to fix it, before you can escallate it.
I am waiting on the rep myself. My dealership clearly doesn't have th e tools to deal with the problem, although I believe the tech is open minded and honest about it. The service head, however, thats the guy who works the phone, is more evasive.
As for the clunk, I've ridden in several LS1s and corvettes with this same tranny. Its the tranny, not the car, and is "normal" for it. Its a beefy transmission, after all.
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Well my dealer calls me back and tells me SVT has "about 20" or so cars that have a back DS. And they are investigating them and differentials there and are supposedly going to issue a TSB on it.
This I think doesn't affect me since I've already had a new DS put in place. But I thought I'd pass along the info.
This I think doesn't affect me since I've already had a new DS put in place. But I thought I'd pass along the info.
Call me ignorant. I guess TSB is tech service bulletin?
They'll tell dealership service how to remedy this?
They'll tell dealership service how to remedy this?
20 my ass! I'll bet it's closer to 200!
Here's the latest on the DS saga: Waited a couple of days while the dealer sent the drive shaft out to get balanced. Got a call today and the service manager says that the performance shop couldn't balance the driveshaft because the runouts where too large. So now they have to order another drive shaft, which we may see by Tuesday. Then send that one out to get it balanced. So if I am lucky I might see my car by the end of next week. This sucks.:fm: :cuss: :gt: :mj: :cryying:
Forgot to mention this: They said that it's possible this is a manufacturing problem at the factory. Do I smell a recall already?
Forgot to mention this: They said that it's possible this is a manufacturing problem at the factory. Do I smell a recall already?
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- Jun 11, 2002
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#684....... is running like a dream, no vibs, steering pull, no noises from motor, everything is right.....knock on wood.
I took my 03 for a good test drive on I95 and took a good look at all of the "issues" posted here before I handed over $$$.
;-)
I took my 03 for a good test drive on I95 and took a good look at all of the "issues" posted here before I handed over $$$.
;-)
I was at the "Tower shops" in SW Ft Lauderdale tonight. Pretty amazing gathering of American muscle cars.
Two '03 Cobra coupes. One was brand new white with 150 mi; the other black with 1500 mi. This owner has had his car up to 130 mph with no vibration.
Two '03 Cobra coupes. One was brand new white with 150 mi; the other black with 1500 mi. This owner has had his car up to 130 mph with no vibration.
512 miles in 2 days.
6.3 miles when I picked her up.
Only thing to note is a rather whiney 1st gear. No biggie.
This car rocks!!! The guys at SVT are my new heroes...
I am totally thrilled!
JB
6.3 miles when I picked her up.
Only thing to note is a rather whiney 1st gear. No biggie.
This car rocks!!! The guys at SVT are my new heroes...
I am totally thrilled!
JB
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