C4 squeeks and rattles
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
C4 squeeks and rattles
I understand and have read many C4 owners comments about their C4s having squeaky suspensions and harsh rides, but I figure the stiffness of the early models caused this problems as components got loose and warn. But has anyone owned one of these cars new? I find it hard to believe that Chevrolet would sell a car with such annoying noises especially when charging $25,000 or more. Many suspension parts have been replaced on my 84 (bushings, shocks), but it still squeaks over bumps? Any orginal owners out there? Was it always this way?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
They all had it and will always have it. It's just the way the car is built with plastics and composits in the body. It's never going to be a real problem other than a few squeeks here and there. I figure it just gives the car a personality. It's like the old (64-73) Mustangs. They all had the well known front end squeek. I know. I had 3 of them. Muscle cars all. 
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,797
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From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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my vette
I understand and have read many C4 owners comments about their C4s having squeaky suspensions and harsh rides, but I figure the stiffness of the early models caused this problems as components got loose and warn. But has anyone owned one of these cars new? I find it hard to believe that Chevrolet would sell a car with such annoying noises especially when charging $25,000 or more. Many suspension parts have been replaced on my 84 (bushings, shocks), but it still squeaks over bumps? Any orginal owners out there? Was it always this way?
Corvette Mike
http://www.idavette.net/susp_chart.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,305
Likes: 9
From: Weston FL
It's an american car made in the USA... expect imperfections.. lol, not too bright to buy them new... and have squeeks, and rattles...lol If the japs and germans can build cars with no squeeks and rattles why can't the american union line worker do the same?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
84's have the stiffest of the C4 rides even without the Z51 option, Nature of the Beast, Enjoy the Ride My opinion but a true sports car should give you feed back as to road conditions GM in the 80's and 90's was not know for building a quite rattle free car. You can fix them just takes time and patience.
My opinion but a true sports car should give you feed back as to road conditions GM in the 80's and 90's was not know for building a quite rattle free car. You can fix them just takes time and patience.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Whitehall Pa.
Take a look a some of the other cars put out during the 80's. The vette is way past them plus who many of the others do you see on the road now? Imports had their problems too in those years. I remember severe rust problems in them.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
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From: Toronto ontario
Corvette Enthusiast
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From: So. Cal.
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My vette
Maybe you should apply to GM as a consultant so we can get good cars off the dealers lots.
Corvette Mike
Burning Brakes
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From: Superior WI
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From: Rolla Missouri
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St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
What a retarded thing to say. Put a thousand japanese employes on that c4 assembly line and you would have ended up with the same final product. The American Union line worker just completes the final job. They don't design the vehicle. They don't choose what materials to use. They don't engineer the build process or choose what parts to use. Use your head the American companies failed upstairs not the union worker.
The C4 build quality is just as good as anything Japan offered year for year..
You don't see very many 25 year old Japanese cars without issues either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,305
Likes: 9
From: Weston FL
What a retarded thing to say. Put a thousand japanese employes on that c4 assembly line and you would have ended up with the same final product. The American Union line worker just completes the final job. They don't design the vehicle. They don't choose what materials to use. They don't engineer the build process or choose what parts to use. Use your head the American companies failed upstairs not the union worker.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
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St. Jude Donor '09
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara Minnesota
Assembly Line'
What a retarded thing to say. Put a thousand japanese employes on that c4 assembly line and you would have ended up with the same final product. The American Union line worker just completes the final job. They don't design the vehicle. They don't choose what materials to use. They don't engineer the build process or choose what parts to use. Use your head the American companies failed upstairs not the union worker.
I have to agree with you here. The engineers at GM were pushing the envelope with the Corvette. Experimenting with Fiberglass & plastics. Now common in all production cars. My Vette rattles and makes all kinds of noises. I removed the stereo so I could really experience my C4. At 23 it will still blow the doors off most Japanese or German Supercars.
http://www.youtube.com/user/interpil...19/T1AcOQ1Psls
I have to agree with you here. The engineers at GM were pushing the envelope with the Corvette. Experimenting with Fiberglass & plastics. Now common in all production cars. My Vette rattles and makes all kinds of noises. I removed the stereo so I could really experience my C4. At 23 it will still blow the doors off most Japanese or German Supercars.
http://www.youtube.com/user/interpil...19/T1AcOQ1Psls
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 156
From: White Oak PA
C4 Character
Older C4's do have squeaks and rattles. It's part of their character. I have spent considerable time re-tightening the screws that hold down the many plastic interior pieces. Modern cars eliminated most of these fasten points by using larger components with less attaching screws.
But honestly, once the top is dropped, the motor fired up, and my favorite cruising cassette inserted, I do not seem to notice these annoying sounds. It just is not that big of a deal to me considering the seat of the pants driving experience it delivers. The later C4's have less rattles than earlier models as mentioned here by others. If you want a early model, squeak free C4, it may be hard to find. Especially if you drive on Northern roads.
Best of luck.
But honestly, once the top is dropped, the motor fired up, and my favorite cruising cassette inserted, I do not seem to notice these annoying sounds. It just is not that big of a deal to me considering the seat of the pants driving experience it delivers. The later C4's have less rattles than earlier models as mentioned here by others. If you want a early model, squeak free C4, it may be hard to find. Especially if you drive on Northern roads.
Best of luck.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
From: Columbiana AL
I owned an 84 300zx and although it did not have the squeaks and rattles of my 84 vette, it was nothing to brag about in the handling department. It was more of a boulevard cruiser than a real sports car. (scary trailing arm rear suspension would generate instant throttle off oversteer.. YIKES) For the same money when new the vette was and is MUCH more car. I did like the 300 though.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara Minnesota
C4'
I don't believe, with exception of a few realize the engineering conceptualizations of the C4 Corvette. GM used Corvette for experimental. Many of these experiments are standard on todays cars. We are selling out to the Japanese .. We developed this' .. And the Corvette was, and is the cutting edge. Just look at GT racing .. Corvette is on top. I just think for my part' .. Don't forget the heritage .. This is an American muscle sports car.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 156
From: White Oak PA
Great observation
I don't believe, with exception of a few realize the engineering conceptualizations of the C4 Corvette. GM used Corvette for experimental. Many of these experiments are standard on todays cars. We are selling out to the Japanese .. We developed this' .. And the Corvette was, and is the cutting edge. Just look at GT racing .. Corvette is on top. I just think for my part' .. Don't forget the heritage .. This is an American muscle sports car.
Best of luck.