Never found a solution, rear suspension clunk
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Never found a solution, rear suspension clunk
You can read my original thread by clicking below, but the long and short of it is, I never could figure out a solution. But today I was able to take a clip of the rear suspension and you can see and hear what I am talking about: the clunk that both sides make when going over an imperfection in the street. Hope you can see this clip.... Thanks
PS: the sound is not so good, had to convert the file to get it to load, but the clunk happens when you see the end of the spring drop.
My Movie 1aa.wmv
Sorry this will not open without first being loaded on your computer. It is safe. I'm just having all kinds of trouble.... Thanks.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...condition.html
PS: the sound is not so good, had to convert the file to get it to load, but the clunk happens when you see the end of the spring drop.
My Movie 1aa.wmv
Sorry this will not open without first being loaded on your computer. It is safe. I'm just having all kinds of trouble.... Thanks.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...condition.html
#3
Dementer sole survivor
Member Since: Oct 2015
Location: YUPPY HELL Westford MASS
Posts: 16,444
Received 6,292 Likes
on
3,919 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
youre right, it doesnt sound good. is it on both sides or just the drivers side
#6
Melting Slicks
Loose upper shock bolt? I've had one of mine mysteriously come loose.
The following users liked this post:
kansas123 (10-04-2018)
#7
Le Mans Master
You can read my original thread by clicking below, but the long and short of it is, I never could figure out a solution. But today I was able to take a clip of the rear suspension and you can see and hear what I am talking about: the clunk that both sides make when going over an imperfection in the street. Hope you can see this clip.... Thanks
PS: the sound is not so good, had to convert the file to get it to load, but the clunk happens when you see the end of the spring drop.
Attachment 48298278
Sorry this will not open without first being loaded on your computer. It is safe. I'm just having all kinds of trouble.... Thanks.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...condition.html
PS: the sound is not so good, had to convert the file to get it to load, but the clunk happens when you see the end of the spring drop.
Attachment 48298278
Sorry this will not open without first being loaded on your computer. It is safe. I'm just having all kinds of trouble.... Thanks.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...condition.html
Have checked the # 3 mounting bolts behind the access door in front of the rear tire ? #4 mounts secured ? Shocks mounts were mentioned I think.
Is it at all possible when going over a bump as the leaf spring flexes could the bolt(s) to the trailing arm be catching enough to interrupt the motion causing a noise ? Just some random thoughts.
Not much else that comes to mind in the back end to me.
Hope you find the issue.
The following users liked this post:
kansas123 (10-04-2018)
#8
Dementer sole survivor
Member Since: Oct 2015
Location: YUPPY HELL Westford MASS
Posts: 16,444
Received 6,292 Likes
on
3,919 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
i would jack it up and put the rear frame on jacks, then try and lift the tires quickly with a crow bar and see if you can make the clunk. It could be worn bushings or bad rear shocks. If it just makes the noise over bumps and not under braking I would think its the suspension and not the rear end. A loose gas tank would make sense as well. Maybe get a rubber mallet and start banging on the suspension parts and see anything is loose. Just dont hit anything that could dent or crack
Also, with it on the ground, try and lock up the front brakes and give it gas and see of the load on the suspension makes the noise.
Also, with it on the ground, try and lock up the front brakes and give it gas and see of the load on the suspension makes the noise.
The following users liked this post:
kansas123 (10-04-2018)
#9
Just another Corvette guy
Brother, I know you've been chasing this one for a long time. I can offer this:
If you want to pay the trip there and back, I will loan you my Chassis Ear. Very easy to use and ALWAYS finds those tough under car noises. I'll put in a new battery and ship in a USPS flat rate box. It's the ceapest way. Are you actually in Kansas? PM me your address if you're interested and I'll get you shipping cost .
Greg
If you want to pay the trip there and back, I will loan you my Chassis Ear. Very easy to use and ALWAYS finds those tough under car noises. I'll put in a new battery and ship in a USPS flat rate box. It's the ceapest way. Are you actually in Kansas? PM me your address if you're interested and I'll get you shipping cost .
Greg
#10
Have you checked to see if you've still got all your rear alignment shims (red parts below) packed between the front of the trailing arms and the frame?
Mine were loose and gradually falling out after I first bought my '69, and found out that they had used the open-ended "forked end" type of shims, but failed to install the keeper cotter pins (blue part below) on the lower side of the shims.
I was getting the rear clunk over bumps, as well on any significant accel/de-cel inputs. Also would feel the rear end give a slight lateral shift when the noise would occur due to the extra free play at the front of the TAs.
Had a rear alignment done with new shims and pins, and been good-to-go ever since.
Mine were loose and gradually falling out after I first bought my '69, and found out that they had used the open-ended "forked end" type of shims, but failed to install the keeper cotter pins (blue part below) on the lower side of the shims.
I was getting the rear clunk over bumps, as well on any significant accel/de-cel inputs. Also would feel the rear end give a slight lateral shift when the noise would occur due to the extra free play at the front of the TAs.
Had a rear alignment done with new shims and pins, and been good-to-go ever since.
The following users liked this post:
kansas123 (10-05-2018)
#12
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Thanks for the suggestion.
Just to catch everyone up, the shocks were new 1 year ago, new TRs, adjustable strut rods and half shafts 3 years ago, along with dust shields, turned rotors, brake pads, hoses and lines and rebuilt calipers. Will be checking out all the items suggested in the next few days ask time permits. Anxious to get into this. Thanks.
Just to catch everyone up, the shocks were new 1 year ago, new TRs, adjustable strut rods and half shafts 3 years ago, along with dust shields, turned rotors, brake pads, hoses and lines and rebuilt calipers. Will be checking out all the items suggested in the next few days ask time permits. Anxious to get into this. Thanks.
#13
Burning Brakes
I was chasing a clunking noise in the rear of one of my cars. 2 shops couldn’t figure it out. I replaced the struts but the clunk remained. I was really frustrated. I realized when I pulled into my garage, the 3/4” lip at the entrance caused the noise when the rear wheels went over it. I lay on the ground and had someone push the car over the lip moving the car about 1’. I put my hand on every part I could reach and realized a control arm was the source of the clunk. Once I felt it with my hand I could see the control arm shifting in the mount.
I don’t know if you can try something like this to replicate the noise. The force on the suspension just can’t be replicated with a breaker bar, you need the momentum of the car to move things. Good luck.
I don’t know if you can try something like this to replicate the noise. The force on the suspension just can’t be replicated with a breaker bar, you need the momentum of the car to move things. Good luck.
#14
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I was chasing a clunking noise in the rear of one of my cars. 2 shops couldn’t figure it out. I replaced the struts but the clunk remained. I was really frustrated. I realized when I pulled into my garage, the 3/4” lip at the entrance caused the noise when the rear wheels went over it. I lay on the ground and had someone push the car over the lip moving the car about 1’. I put my hand on every part I could reach and realized a control arm was the source of the clunk. Once I felt it with my hand I could see the control arm shifting in the mount.
I don’t know if you can try something like this to replicate the noise. The force on the suspension just can’t be replicated with a breaker bar, you need the momentum of the car to move things. Good luck.
I don’t know if you can try something like this to replicate the noise. The force on the suspension just can’t be replicated with a breaker bar, you need the momentum of the car to move things. Good luck.
#15
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Brother, I know you've been chasing this one for a long time. I can offer this:
If you want to pay the trip there and back, I will loan you my Chassis Ear. Very easy to use and ALWAYS finds those tough under car noises. I'll put in a new battery and ship in a USPS flat rate box. It's the ceapest way. Are you actually in Kansas? PM me your address if you're interested and I'll get you shipping cost .
Greg
If you want to pay the trip there and back, I will loan you my Chassis Ear. Very easy to use and ALWAYS finds those tough under car noises. I'll put in a new battery and ship in a USPS flat rate box. It's the ceapest way. Are you actually in Kansas? PM me your address if you're interested and I'll get you shipping cost .
Greg
#16
Race Director
did you check the front differential mounting bushing....that usually clunks when you put it in/out of gear , you cant see it you have to feel for it.
The following users liked this post:
kansas123 (10-08-2018)
#18
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Have you checked the differential crossmember bolts to the frame (2) ? Or possibly the differential mounting bolts to the crossmember (4) ? Have either of these areas been reassembled ? Is the gas tank secured as it should be ? Transmission crossmember bolts to frame on either side if automatic only I believe. Or the transmission mount itself ?
Have checked the # 3 mounting bolts behind the access door in front of the rear tire ? #4 mounts secured ? Shocks mounts were mentioned I think.
Is it at all possible when going over a bump as the leaf spring flexes could the bolt(s) to the trailing arm be catching enough to interrupt the motion causing a noise ? Just some random thoughts.
Not much else that comes to mind in the back end to me.
Hope you find the issue.
Have checked the # 3 mounting bolts behind the access door in front of the rear tire ? #4 mounts secured ? Shocks mounts were mentioned I think.
Is it at all possible when going over a bump as the leaf spring flexes could the bolt(s) to the trailing arm be catching enough to interrupt the motion causing a noise ? Just some random thoughts.
Not much else that comes to mind in the back end to me.
Hope you find the issue.
#19
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
By the way, if the transmission mount bushings needed to be replaced, how in the wild world of sports to you hole the top of that one bolt mount to crossmember; I thought I would try to tighten it but have no idea how to do it, know what I mean?