Rear-end clicking...likely the e-brake assembly??
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Rear-end clicking...likely the e-brake assembly??
I will be diving into a total rear-end rebuilt over the next year or so, but wanted to educate myself a bit for knowledge down the road.
With both rear tires suspended, I can rotate both the driver and passenger side tires (forward roll) and get one click noise at the same location of the rotation. If I rotate the tires in reverse for 10-20 degrees after the click, and then rotate them forward again, I can get the click again in the same location over and over again.
This applies to both rear tires. If I engage the e-brake handle, I get no braking effects in the rear end.
Is this likely springs or other pieces in the e-brake assembly that have disconnected and are catching in the rotor?? The click is definitely in the rotors, not the u-joints or differential. I only ask because I will be farming out the trailing arms and won't be doing the rebuild myself.
Thanks for any help.
With both rear tires suspended, I can rotate both the driver and passenger side tires (forward roll) and get one click noise at the same location of the rotation. If I rotate the tires in reverse for 10-20 degrees after the click, and then rotate them forward again, I can get the click again in the same location over and over again.
This applies to both rear tires. If I engage the e-brake handle, I get no braking effects in the rear end.
Is this likely springs or other pieces in the e-brake assembly that have disconnected and are catching in the rotor?? The click is definitely in the rotors, not the u-joints or differential. I only ask because I will be farming out the trailing arms and won't be doing the rebuild myself.
Thanks for any help.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I will be diving into a total rear-end rebuilt over the next year or so, but wanted to educate myself a bit for knowledge down the road.
With both rear tires suspended, I can rotate both the driver and passenger side tires (forward roll) and get one click noise at the same location of the rotation. If I rotate the tires in reverse for 10-20 degrees after the click, and then rotate them forward again, I can get the click again in the same location over and over again.
This applies to both rear tires. If I engage the e-brake handle, I get no braking effects in the rear end.
Is this likely springs or other pieces in the e-brake assembly that have disconnected and are catching in the rotor?? The click is definitely in the rotors, not the u-joints or differential. I only ask because I will be farming out the trailing arms and won't be doing the rebuild myself.
Thanks for any help.
With both rear tires suspended, I can rotate both the driver and passenger side tires (forward roll) and get one click noise at the same location of the rotation. If I rotate the tires in reverse for 10-20 degrees after the click, and then rotate them forward again, I can get the click again in the same location over and over again.
This applies to both rear tires. If I engage the e-brake handle, I get no braking effects in the rear end.
Is this likely springs or other pieces in the e-brake assembly that have disconnected and are catching in the rotor?? The click is definitely in the rotors, not the u-joints or differential. I only ask because I will be farming out the trailing arms and won't be doing the rebuild myself.
Thanks for any help.
Also look at the wheels, we had a car in here that had aftermarket chrome wheels and the balanced them on the inside... the weight was hitting the top of the caliper every turn.. Odd issue but one that came with his aftermarket wheels, not the car. Every rotation the weight would hit the caliper.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Same Issue
I had the same issue on my '73 a year back. Fixed in a shop, not myself but as I recall, there are bolts inside the hub (?) and they have to be the right part number. If you try and use a standard bolt, the head it too tall and catches creating the clicking sound. I suspected the e-brake as well but this was the cause - nothing broken, just replace with the correct bolts.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
I had the same issue on my '73 a year back. Fixed in a shop, not myself but as I recall, there are bolts inside the hub (?) and they have to be the right part number. If you try and use a standard bolt, the head it too tall and catches creating the clicking sound. I suspected the e-brake as well but this was the cause - nothing broken, just replace with the correct bolts.
When I got my 72 I discovered someone had removed all of the parking brake mechanism from inside the rotors so I had to install all new parts. Got it on the road and drivers side brake springs came loose. Turned out that one stud had been replaced and was taller than the factory studs. Replaced it with the correct stud and no more problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,417
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
It's relatively straight forward to remove the rear hub/rotor IF the rivets that originally fastened it in place have been drilled out. Many times this has been done.
The brake caliper does need to be removed but the brake line DOSEN'T need to be disconnected.
In doing this you'll be able to access the parking brake components to see if that's the cause of the 'click' or if you need to look further.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
It's relatively straight forward to remove the rear hub/rotor IF the rivets that originally fastened it in place have been drilled out. Many times this has been done.
The brake caliper does need to be removed but the brake line DOSEN'T need to be disconnected.
In doing this you'll be able to access the parking brake components to see if that's the cause of the 'click' or if you need to look further.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 658
From: Thunder Bay
[QUOTE=Alan 71;1595022381]Hi r,
It's relatively straight forward to remove the rear hub/rotor IF the rivets that originally fastened it in place have been drilled out. Many times this has been done.
The brake caliper does need to be removed but the brake line DOSEN'T need to be disconnected.
In doing this you'll be able to access the parking brake components to see if that's the cause of the 'click' or if you need to look further.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
[QUOTE]
Man that's beautiful. You should really drive that thing!
It's relatively straight forward to remove the rear hub/rotor IF the rivets that originally fastened it in place have been drilled out. Many times this has been done.
The brake caliper does need to be removed but the brake line DOSEN'T need to be disconnected.
In doing this you'll be able to access the parking brake components to see if that's the cause of the 'click' or if you need to look further.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
[QUOTE]
Man that's beautiful. You should really drive that thing!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Thanks to everyone on this. I will check the balance weights as Willcox suggested just to make sure.
Alan, my rivets have never been drilled out, so any solid answers in the hub may just have to wait until I start de-constructing.
Alan, my rivets have never been drilled out, so any solid answers in the hub may just have to wait until I start de-constructing.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have Rally wheels, one of the clips on a trim ring can make metallic, popping sounds. Drive slowly and listen. If it happens once every rear wheel revolution, it's probably a trim ring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 658
From: Thunder Bay