vetten76

I have a "radical" clunking noise coming from my C5. Three front end shops and one Corvette shop are completely stumped. No one can find it and it sounds like something is about to fall off. Some guys think it's coming from the front, some the rear. The car now has 19K miles. I just had the rack replaced and that didn't help. Every part has been touched and tightened. Yesterday, a new guy to the problem suggested that perhaps something inside the frame rails has broken loose. He has seen that in other cars. He didn't have a camera to look inside. I have the interior 100% covered with fatmat. The noise is not from inside the car. I couldn't sell the car if I wanted to. And yes, even my wife says to crank the stereo louder. Has anyone else had this problem? I believe the car is safe, but that constant clunking over slight bumps is crazy. Breaking doesn't stop it either. Suggestions?

Max01GreenMachine

We need much more detail.

When does it happen? Turning, accelerating, braking, etc? Going up an incline while turning? Or does it just clunk clunk clunk as you go down the road?

Be as detailed as possible.

Later,
Max

vetten76

It happens at all times on slightly bumpy ground. Not on a 100% smooth road. The suspension is the obvious choice, but everything is tight and solid. It's not speed related. Breaking makes no difference. It is a muffled clunking sound. Up hill, down hill, parking lots and my own driveway. It's so loud that you think that you'll put your hand right on it. I have personally spent at least 6 hours on jack stands touching everything. I disassembled the front and rear brakes and each headlight assembly. The sound can not be duplicated by bouncing the car or pounding with a dead blow rubber hammer even with the car on the rack and the load off the suspension. The front end shop yesterday spent about two hours looking and didn't charge me anything. Completely stumped.......

Kale

Mine does the exact same damn thing and I've been all through the car looking for it.

I read a post once that a loose spring in the e-brake assembly on the rear axle can do it, but I haven't been into that yet.

SoDiezl350

Are you sure its coming from below you? The targa top can make noise over bumps as well as the rear hatch.

kasper-pA-

I have a very similar issue! Mine *sounds* like it's a clunking of suspension pieces but I cannot find it, nor could my mechanic...



subscribed.

vetten76

Below. I can feel it in the auto shifter.

vetten76

What the heck? No one in my club has herd of this and we've discussed it in our monthly meeting. Is there a resource at G.M. we could contact?

vetten76

I've no idea where that assembly is, but I'll find it and check it out. Thanks......

Kale

Inside the rear brake rotor.

vetten76

Cool. Thanks. I drove my other Vette today. That darn noise is making me absolutely nuts!

TK6

Anti-sway bar endlinks?

Toque

This might sound nuts... but it happened to me.

I had a clunking sound when turning. I was hell bent that it was something in the suspension or steering rack.

Check to see if your BATTERY is firmly tightened down. It sits on a "smooth" surface. Maybe put a mat or something under it and tighten it down. Mine was clunking around in there and because of its weight I could feel it in the seat of my pants and my steering wheel.

Toque

Kale

...That's brilliant.

vetten76

I thought of that. I have an Optima Battery and it is dead nuts solid. I've spent a lot of time under the hood as well. Good suggestion.... keep em coming! The only thing I haven't done is remove each plastic wheel well covering. Is there anything in there?

vetten76

I have Hotchkis sway bars and they are tight. The mounts and rubbers have been triple checked. Keep em coming!

Kale

Is your car lowered? Do you have an aftermarket exhaust?

CatCam

Well - I have a 2004 as well and I was getting a "Clunk" everytime I hit a bump.....

Checked EVERYTHING......


Culprit?? -- The 4 Freakin' lifting pucks I had in the back storage bin of the car! DOH!

sweet97c5

Find a shop that have"chassis ear".Will help narrow down location of noise.Good luck

Got uid0

I have a similar noise it happens over bumpy roads sort of like a piece of metal rattling loose against sheet metal.

Not sure if it is the welding above the gas tank issue. I also have a clank noise after going into reverse and stopping suddenly shifting weight.

I am curious if it is a wheel bearing.