Ryan Cheek Racing

3 minute(s) of a 210 minute read

Racecar, being the 140k mile-14year old car that she is, has had a noise & vibration when turning right since I bought her in January. The noise and vibration got a little better when I installed the new Ford Performance Adjustable Track Suspension, but started to get worse, again, at the hillclimb and on the 2hour drive home from the hillclimb. After being parked in the garage for a couple days, I noticed a small fluid puddle under the car. I cleaned up the puddle, which was bright red (indicating ATF) and waited to see if it returned. A week later the puddle had returned and was about the same small amount. Racecar's Tremec (TR3650) 5 speed manual calls for Mercon V ATF, and the power steering also uses ATF, so the possibilities of where this leak was coming from were limited. I was suspect that the leak was coming from something in the steering since I was also having the issue when turning. But, nope, the ATF puddle was right under the very front of the transmission, no where near the PS pump or steering rack. There were no obvious signs of leakage from the transmission. After making this video, I did some reading and I believe I overfilled the transmission when I drained and filled it, earlier in the year. (Fill to 1/2" below the fill hole. I filled it to the top) While the car was in the air I did the wheel-wiggle test to check for a bad wheel bearing or bad outer tie rod end. Holding the wheel at 12 & 6, there was no wiggle or play in the wheel. Holding the wheel at 9 & 3, there is a slight wiggle. This indicates a bad tie rod end. I have ordered a bump steer kit (adjustable outer tie rod end). The bump steer kit will help counter understeer and offer more predictable handling under hard braking or over rough surfaces, esp now that the car is lowered. I am excited to install new parts, but not excited about "shimming" and dialing in the bumpsteer kit. #MustangsofInstagram #mustanggt #racecar #ford #fordperformance #cargirl #s197mustang #womeninautomotive #sisterhoodofmuscle #womenindrive  #PlayAllTheMotorsports #RyanCheekRacing