[Iceman1989]

ok, firstly, I am new to the site, I just found it about an hour or so ago.

ok I have a 1988 Mustang GT with a few problems, and I am wondering if anyone could give me guesses as to how much I'd be looking to spend on fixing it as well as, well, whats wrong with it.

my passsengers side front steering assembly squeaks not only when I turn but also when I go over bumps. Now, the car has been ran off the road twice in its life, but thats a new thing that has developed after the running off of the road stuff.

Also, the rear end whines on the drivers side, any guesses? it sounds like its close to the outside of the car, but I'm really not sure.

My car used to be a manual but the people my parents bought it from switched it to an auto and I have no idea what kind it is. if it helps, the shift lever goes P R N OD D 1, and I've never seen one like that before.

The heater core leaks, and I've been reading on here that its a pain in the ass, but at least now I know how to do that. My a/c doesnt work, my dad says its something with the vacuum pump clutch or something like that? maybe?

and if anyone could give me in-depth directions on how to remove the center console, that would be awesome.

The front u-joint on the driveshaft is bad but I have a new one to replace it

The e-brake barely keeps the car from rolling at idle and I pull it as close to vertical as I can.

also, since I plan on fixing all of these problems, I will list what I have on the car and ask to see what some of you recommend on getting for upgraded parts.

I have:
Aftermarket headers(not sure what ones, my brother might know since the car was his before it was mine)
flowmaster 40 series mufflers
stock 4 cat H-pipe
K&N filter
transmission has a shift kit but needs to be rebulit(hence why I need to know what kind of tranny it is)(or would it be easier and relatively close in price just to buy a rebuilt tranny?)
3.73's
and Team Ford Racing spark plug wires(whoop-tie-doo)
I also believe there are aftermarket suspension parts in play, I will ask my brother to get a definite answer.

I was thinking about switching to a cold air intake with a new K&N filter, X-pipe, then cam, but I dont know what brands to look at or if it's even worth it for the trouble with everything wrong with it.

so, any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Nate

[Jojogunne]

Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. If you love working on cars ( like I do ) you will have lots of fun.

The first thing you need to buy is repair manual. Please don't think this is smart answer ..... A chiltons repair manual and a How To Modify Your Mustang were my first two purchases.

Some of the things you described sound sound like simple maintenance.
Have fun. .......... I did.

jjg

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by Iceman1989 my passsengers side front steering assembly squeaks not only when I turn but also when I go over bumps. Now, the car has been ran off the road twice in its life, but thats a new thing that has developed after the running off of the road stuff.

Check the balljoints and tie rod ends too. I have seen alot of ball joints squeak when they go bad (dry).

Originally Posted by Iceman1989 Also, the rear end whines on the drivers side, any guesses? it sounds like its close to the outside of the car, but I'm really not sure.

Sounds like a bad axle bearing.

Originally Posted by Iceman1989 My car used to be a manual but the people my parents bought it from switched it to an auto and I have no idea what kind it is. if it helps, the shift lever goes P R N OD D 1, and I've never seen one like that before.

That is the Mustang AOD shift pattern. Its normal.

Originally Posted by Iceman1989 The heater core leaks, and I've been reading on here that its a pain in the ass, but at least now I know how to do that. My a/c doesnt work, my dad says its something with the vacuum pump clutch or something like that? maybe?

The heater core is time consuming and can be hard. If you don't need the heat, loop the hoses. I'd take the car to a service center that specializes in A/C repair for the A/C system. It could be as simple as needing a recharge. If the system pressure is too low the clutch will not engage.

Originally Posted by Iceman1989 and if anyone could give me in-depth directions on how to remove the center console, that would be awesome.

Start from the back and work your way forward. Its not all that complicated. Just keep track of where the screws go.

Originally Posted by Iceman1989 The front u-joint on the driveshaft is bad but I have a new one to replace it

Do yourself a favor and get a Ford Racing aluminum driveshaft if you can swing the extra change. Its a strong shaft with bigger U-joints, its lighter and it has been known to cure alot of stock driveshaft vibration issues.

Originally Posted by Iceman1989 The e-brake barely keeps the car from rolling at idle and I pull it as close to vertical as I can.

Check your rear brake shoes. Also make sure they are adjusted properly.

Originally Posted by Iceman1989 I was thinking about switching to a cold air intake with a new K&N filter, X-pipe, then cam, but I dont know what brands to look at or if it's even worth it for the trouble with everything wrong with it.

I wouldn't worry about a cold air intake. That money could be spent else where. Take your factory air silencer off from inside the fender well (if it already hasn't been done) and get your self a new air filter from the parts store. That's where the restriction is, not in the inlet pipe itself. The X-pipe is a good idea but I wouldn't worry about a cam unless you plan on getting a set of good heads.

[Iceman1989]

Thank you both, a Chilton's manual has been purchased as well as a K&N cleaning kit for my current K&N filter. Once I get the garage cleaned out, the car will be in there and jacked up checking the tie rod and ball joint for defects(my dad is rather skilled at such things) I dont have too much time on my hands so I will loop the hoses for the heater core and put on the u joint I have now and once spring breaks in comes an TFR aluminum driveshaft and new copper heater core. Hopefully, by funding of my dad, a new(or at least rebuilt) transmission will be on its way in to my fox asap as that was one of the first things that required attention. I know the a/c is not faulty due to the charge level as I have charged it myself many-a-time as well as my dad, my brother, and a local mechanic. I will not lie, I have no idea what the factory air silencer does, looks like, or where exactly it is, other than in the passenger fender well.

I'll mess around with getting the console off, I got the armrest off but I cant get the piece that goes into off, I cant find the screws. I will eventually though.

Again, thank you both, I'll keep updates of how it's coming, and in the mean time, I am stuck driving a 4.3L blazer...