Corvette consistent problems or defects
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
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2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Corvette consistent problems or defects
After reading repeated threads over the years I have decided to start a small project. I'm starting to compile a list of the areas on all Corvettes that are trouble or should be checked before buying. So if you guy's and girls could share your pictures and or stories to help me start my project it would greatly appreciated! The compilation will continue until I build enough information to possibly publish an article or small booklet.It can be anything from rotted frame rails to faulty wiper blades, any problems at all. Even the obvious problems to some of you. Please include the year, color, options if available on the vehicle that your trouble refers to.
TIA WB
Could use a cool title for the article as well!
TIA WB
Could use a cool title for the article as well!
Last edited by Don Rickles; Oct 26, 2007 at 10:12 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Rear diff stub axles wear over time......even to the point that the retainer C-clip falls off and could cause trouble on the way down. I don't have any pictures handy but I bet gtr1999 does.
Bullshark
Bullshark
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 241
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From: St Louis Missouri
I don't know if it's common; but on my 75 while I was unbolting the rear spring one of the cast iron ears on the diff cover where the bolt goes into broke off. The number four body mount was rusted away, both on the body and the frame. The trailing arm pivit bolts had to be cut off.
Thread Starter
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2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
I don't know if it's common; but on my 75 while I was unbolting the rear spring one of the cast iron ears on the diff cover where the bolt goes into broke off. The number four body mount was rusted away, both on the body and the frame. The trailing arm pivit bolts had to be cut off.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
You should consider writing in your book a chapter about 'how the 70's killed the american muscle car' then you go into a sub-chapter saying why and that will drive you streight into one of the main C3 problems: weight, specially in later models...Weight will worsen every single problem in a car, specially when this car was designed to weight one third less of what actually ended weighting: insufficient braking capacity, insufficiend road holding, insufficient rear holding and insufficient performance. All of these insufficiencies have a common denominator which is, as said above, over weight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Two more.....
!) On earlier C3 models with a vacuum reservoir tank, they can develop fatigue cracks from years of flexing.....leading to abnormal windshield wiper door operation and vacuum leak related problems.
2) Those vacuum relays that control headlight and wiper door operation have a dog bone lip seal in them that always goes bad....just a matter of time.
I will pontificate on additional areas.....
Bullshark
!) On earlier C3 models with a vacuum reservoir tank, they can develop fatigue cracks from years of flexing.....leading to abnormal windshield wiper door operation and vacuum leak related problems.
2) Those vacuum relays that control headlight and wiper door operation have a dog bone lip seal in them that always goes bad....just a matter of time.
I will pontificate on additional areas.....
Bullshark
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Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
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From: Boca Raton Florida
I'll start in on rust issues:
The lower windshield frames get cancered out due to the way the thing is put together. The fiberglass bonding piece that the fenders bond to are not sealed to the frame. They are simply riveted to the WS frame corner.
This is the result
Here are the riveted areas, the red line indicates a leak candidate
The fiberglass piece should have been sealed with Urethane caulk to the metal piece of the WS frame corner. With just the rivets, it traps and holds water allowing the corner to rust thru. The water then runs down inside the door pillar and on top of the #2 mounts and this is what you get
The repair requires the cutting out and fabbing new pockets for the #2 mounts, store bought pieces are available. The WS frame repair required fabbing new parts because there were no store bought parts available, but there may be now
The floor I brush wheeled, chemical treated and then treated with POR15 and fiberglass matt
The lower windshield frames get cancered out due to the way the thing is put together. The fiberglass bonding piece that the fenders bond to are not sealed to the frame. They are simply riveted to the WS frame corner.
This is the result
Here are the riveted areas, the red line indicates a leak candidate
The fiberglass piece should have been sealed with Urethane caulk to the metal piece of the WS frame corner. With just the rivets, it traps and holds water allowing the corner to rust thru. The water then runs down inside the door pillar and on top of the #2 mounts and this is what you get
The repair requires the cutting out and fabbing new pockets for the #2 mounts, store bought pieces are available. The WS frame repair required fabbing new parts because there were no store bought parts available, but there may be now
The floor I brush wheeled, chemical treated and then treated with POR15 and fiberglass matt
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
You should consider writing in your book a chapter about 'how the 70's killed the american muscle car' then you go into a sub-chapter saying why and that will drive you streight into one of the main C3 problems: weight, specially in later models...Weight will worsen every single problem in a car, specially when this car was designed to weight one third less of what actually ended weighting: insufficient braking capacity, insufficiend road holding, insufficient rear holding and insufficient performance. All of these insufficiencies have a common denominator which is, as said above, over weight.
Last edited by Don Rickles; Oct 23, 2007 at 11:29 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Two more.....
!) On earlier C3 models with a vacuum reservoir tank, they can develop fatigue cracks from years of flexing.....leading to abnormal windshield wiper door operation and vacuum leak related problems.
2) Those vacuum relays that control headlight and wiper door operation have a dog bone lip seal in them that always goes bad....just a matter of time.
I will pontificate on additional areas.....
Bullshark
!) On earlier C3 models with a vacuum reservoir tank, they can develop fatigue cracks from years of flexing.....leading to abnormal windshield wiper door operation and vacuum leak related problems.
2) Those vacuum relays that control headlight and wiper door operation have a dog bone lip seal in them that always goes bad....just a matter of time.
I will pontificate on additional areas.....
Bullshark
I'll start in on rust issues:
The lower windshield frames get cancered out due to the way the thing is put together. The fiberglass bonding piece that the fenders bond to are not sealed to the frame. They are simply riveted to the WS frame corner.
This is the result
Here are the riveted areas, the red line indicates a leak candidate
The fiberglass piece should have been sealed with Urethane caulk to the metal piece of the WS frame corner. With just the rivets, it traps and holds water allowing the corner to rust thru. The water then runs down inside the door pillar and on top of the #2 mounts and this is what you get
The repair requires the cutting out and fabbing new pockets for the #2 mounts, store bought pieces are available. The WS frame repair required fabbing new parts because there were no store bought parts available, but there may be now
The floor I brush wheeled, chemical treated and then treated with POR15 and fiberglass matt
The lower windshield frames get cancered out due to the way the thing is put together. The fiberglass bonding piece that the fenders bond to are not sealed to the frame. They are simply riveted to the WS frame corner.
This is the result
Here are the riveted areas, the red line indicates a leak candidate
The fiberglass piece should have been sealed with Urethane caulk to the metal piece of the WS frame corner. With just the rivets, it traps and holds water allowing the corner to rust thru. The water then runs down inside the door pillar and on top of the #2 mounts and this is what you get
The repair requires the cutting out and fabbing new pockets for the #2 mounts, store bought pieces are available. The WS frame repair required fabbing new parts because there were no store bought parts available, but there may be now
The floor I brush wheeled, chemical treated and then treated with POR15 and fiberglass matt
Now that's one rusted out frame area!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
Great project to work on! If I may suggest don't say defects or problems as these cars just need solutions. Your Headline --"Tips On
Buying C3 Corvettes" - other chapters on - Problems*Solutions*PM.
You have two audiences - tech and non-tech so KISS principal should
be used. Here's just a few areas to be addressed--- Battery Cranking
Amps vs Cold Cranking Amps - Windshield window tray solutions -
installing brakes - and many more. Good luck on your project. It's
needed. Peter PS: possibly a vendor could support your project.
Buying C3 Corvettes" - other chapters on - Problems*Solutions*PM.
You have two audiences - tech and non-tech so KISS principal should
be used. Here's just a few areas to be addressed--- Battery Cranking
Amps vs Cold Cranking Amps - Windshield window tray solutions -
installing brakes - and many more. Good luck on your project. It's
needed. Peter PS: possibly a vendor could support your project.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Great project to work on! If I may suggest don't say defects or problems as these cars just need solutions. Your Headline --"Tips On
Buying C3 Corvettes" - other chapters on - Problems*Solutions*PM.
You have two audiences - tech and non-tech so KISS principal should
be used. Here's just a few areas to be addressed--- Battery Cranking
Amps vs Cold Cranking Amps - Windshield window tray solutions -
installing brakes - and many more. Good luck on your project. It's
needed. Peter PS: possibly a vendor could support your project.
Buying C3 Corvettes" - other chapters on - Problems*Solutions*PM.
You have two audiences - tech and non-tech so KISS principal should
be used. Here's just a few areas to be addressed--- Battery Cranking
Amps vs Cold Cranking Amps - Windshield window tray solutions -
installing brakes - and many more. Good luck on your project. It's
needed. Peter PS: possibly a vendor could support your project.
It's purpose will be to help anyone intereted in restoring or purchasing, exactly what to look for item by item. Thank you very much for your input and compliment!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
I think this is a great project...
(specially if you'll let me write and sign the chapter about the weight iussue...
)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Leaks of all kinds -- like how much oil and from where?
1) Oil in the engine?
2) Oil out of the engine? (Always check running oil pressure)
3) Transmission rear seal?
4) Gas leak?
Electronics
1) What actually works?
2) Gage lights?
3) Instrument warning lamps?
4) DC Outlet?
Fiberoptics?
- Do the rear ones work?
Control Arm Bushings
-How do they look in the front?
Does the horn work?
-Can it be fixed by grounding it?
Are the tires road worthy or have they been sitting for several years?
Sorry for the long post, but these are just some of the issues I've already had.
1) Oil in the engine?
2) Oil out of the engine? (Always check running oil pressure)
3) Transmission rear seal?
4) Gas leak?
Electronics
1) What actually works?
2) Gage lights?
3) Instrument warning lamps?
4) DC Outlet?
Fiberoptics?
- Do the rear ones work?
Control Arm Bushings
-How do they look in the front?
Does the horn work?
-Can it be fixed by grounding it?
Are the tires road worthy or have they been sitting for several years?
Sorry for the long post, but these are just some of the issues I've already had.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Leaks of all kinds -- like how much oil and from where?
1) Oil in the engine?
2) Oil out of the engine? (Always check running oil pressure)
3) Transmission rear seal?
4) Gas leak?
Electronics
1) What actually works?
2) Gage lights?
3) Instrument warning lamps?
4) DC Outlet?
Fiberoptics?
- Do the rear ones work?
Control Arm Bushings
-How do they look in the front?
Does the horn work?
-Can it be fixed by grounding it?
Are the tires road worthy or have they been sitting for several years?
Sorry for the long post, but these are just some of the issues I've already had.
1) Oil in the engine?
2) Oil out of the engine? (Always check running oil pressure)
3) Transmission rear seal?
4) Gas leak?
Electronics
1) What actually works?
2) Gage lights?
3) Instrument warning lamps?
4) DC Outlet?
Fiberoptics?
- Do the rear ones work?
Control Arm Bushings
-How do they look in the front?
Does the horn work?
-Can it be fixed by grounding it?
Are the tires road worthy or have they been sitting for several years?
Sorry for the long post, but these are just some of the issues I've already had.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Speaking of horn problems, don't forget the plastic retainer internal to the Tilt/Tele column that deteriorates with age, cracking up and letting the spring short to ground, sounding the horn and running the battery down.
Some more you guys may have run across unique to our vettes.
Gas tank sock filter breaking up and clogging the fuel pick-up / filter.
Maintenance free Emergency brake design!
Early C3 external door handle spring
High speed heater blower motor relay failure.
distributor mechanical tach gears
mechnical clock points wear
upper windshield post rust out causing leaks.
electronic tach boards burn out.
speedometer fiber gear wear
clutch fan failure
hood release lever cable
broken door hinge spring
I think I have dealt with all of these one time or another.
Bullshark
And, I almost forgot one of my favorites......now listen to this panic.......carburetors..... but I guess that's not vette unique.
Some more you guys may have run across unique to our vettes.
Gas tank sock filter breaking up and clogging the fuel pick-up / filter.
Maintenance free Emergency brake design!
Early C3 external door handle spring
High speed heater blower motor relay failure.
distributor mechanical tach gears
mechnical clock points wear
upper windshield post rust out causing leaks.
electronic tach boards burn out.
speedometer fiber gear wear
clutch fan failure
hood release lever cable
broken door hinge spring
I think I have dealt with all of these one time or another.
Bullshark
And, I almost forgot one of my favorites......now listen to this panic.......carburetors.....
but I guess that's not vette unique.
Last edited by Bullshark; Oct 23, 2007 at 12:39 PM.