1996-1998 Mustang GT & SN-95 Convertible Mustangs

'01 Clunker
My '01 V-6 Mustang exhibits a popping or clunking noise in the front suspension/subframe/transmission-tunnel area when accelerating, coming to a stop, or turning. There is also a noticeable creak or clunk upon entering a driveway. It's annoying to have a relatively new car that makes these noises.

I found these symptoms listed in the NHTSA database (www.autopedia.com). It's listed as service bulletin number 15031 (bulletin sequence number 612). The NHTSA number is SB621026 dated 7/01. They want $35 an hour to research this to provide the published Ford remedy. I talked to my Ford dealer and they have not heard of this problem.
Paul Fedyna
Via e-mail

This is an interesting problem (and I'd imagine rather annoying). Many other owners might want to know what's happening with this issue. Mr. Fedyna did more research, had the problem fixed, and followed up with me. Here's what he discovered: "My local Ford dealer found the service bulletin to pry and adjust the floorboards to alleviate the condition. They actually pounded dimples into the floorboards and the problem (popping noise and vibration) is now gone. I can't believe the noise was occurring in the first place. I was led to believe the Mustang coupe unibody was extremely stiff. If you can come up with a logical explanation, you might want to further explain this to your readers as a point of interest."

While it's true the '94-'02 Mustang SN-95 body style (also known as the Fox-4 platform) is considerably stiffer and more rigid than the Fox-body cars that preceded it, it still isn't much more than the glorified Fairmont that came on the scene in the late '70s. At least Ford was able to come up with a solution-albeit a strange one-to fix the problem and eradicate the noise.

I appreciate Mr. Fedyna finding the solution, and encourage readers to write if you find answers on your own.

A Real GTS?
I have a '96 Mustang GT (VIN 1FALP42X2TF126085) with a 4.6-liter V-8. I love the car and all other Mustangs. I've owned the car since October 2000 and since then I've noticed little things that are confusing me. Everywhere I look (books, magazines, and such) the engine code is W in the VIN, while mine is code X. As for options, there are none-no power anything and no fog lights. I talked to a Ford salesman and they've never heard of a GT without fog lights (although the previous owner did install round aftermarket fog lights).

Another thing I'm curious about is the transmission fluid. When I was changing the fluid, it says to use automatic transmission fluid (ATF), but it's a five-speed manual transmission.

Here is the data plate information on my car. Exterior paint: PS; DSO: 47; Body: GT2; BRK: 1; MLDG: CC; Int. Trim: Z2. R: M. Build Date: 11/95.
Shane Mankins
Johnstown, OH

After looking at the interior photo of your car and seeing it has crank (non-power) windows, I suspected it was a little-known model that's called the GTS. Ford quietly began making these cars in 1995 and it was a way for an SN-95 version of a 5.0 LX to be built. After giving your VIN and data-plate info to someone who knows about these cars, he confirmed you have a GTS, which is essentially a decontented Mustang GT. These are great cars because, among other things, their GTS status sort of makes them a collectible.