C4 quirks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: NWI IN
C4 quirks
Ok, who else has this?
I've noticed that my 95' LT-1 auto and my new 96' LT-4 share the following quirks
1) Stering wheel makes a "clunk" sound when it is turned past 2'oclock and 10' oclock, nothing mechanicaly wrong just makes the sound. If you try this while your parked you can hear it and feel it in the wheel.
2) When you brake at low speed or all of a sudden (i especialy get it when going forward coming out of the garage) you hear a clatter sound as if the brake caliper is loose... again, breaking is fine but its there just like on my 95'.
Anyone else experiance this on their C4??
Also for you LT-4 guys.......
Does the transmition feel VERY mechanical on these cars and a bit noisy??
I think it's cool but just wondering if thats part of our drivetrain or if I should have it checked out??
I've noticed that my 95' LT-1 auto and my new 96' LT-4 share the following quirks
1) Stering wheel makes a "clunk" sound when it is turned past 2'oclock and 10' oclock, nothing mechanicaly wrong just makes the sound. If you try this while your parked you can hear it and feel it in the wheel.
2) When you brake at low speed or all of a sudden (i especialy get it when going forward coming out of the garage) you hear a clatter sound as if the brake caliper is loose... again, breaking is fine but its there just like on my 95'.
Anyone else experiance this on their C4??
Also for you LT-4 guys.......
Does the transmition feel VERY mechanical on these cars and a bit noisy??
I think it's cool but just wondering if thats part of our drivetrain or if I should have it checked out??
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Don't know about your rattles and clunks, but as for the tranny on my LT4, yes - it feels very "mechanical". Some call it "notchy." I drove my dad's Rustang GT, and its tranny is much softer. Porsche 911 Turbo feels like butter - it's a thing of beauty... I wouldn't worry about it.
As for the other sounds, I'd get 'em checked out. Even if your steering/brakes work fine, something's wrong.
As for the other sounds, I'd get 'em checked out. Even if your steering/brakes work fine, something's wrong.
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Originally Posted by HC96LT4
...Stering wheel makes a "clunk" sound when it is turned past 2'oclock and 10' oclock, nothing mechanicaly wrong just makes the sound. If you try this while your parked you can hear it and feel it in the wheel...
EDIT: Scroll down to #169. I think that might have been it:
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/10/961006GM.html
Last edited by tobijohn; Aug 6, 2004 at 01:23 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Haven't noticed a clunk in the steering at those positions.
On the noise you hear first motion after a start-up, your probably hearing the ASR energizing. Generally, its notice on the first forward motion but if you back out quickly it will energize then.
On the noise you hear first motion after a start-up, your probably hearing the ASR energizing. Generally, its notice on the first forward motion but if you back out quickly it will energize then.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: NC
I also have a 96 CE LT-4 and my transmission feels very mechanical and is somewhat noisy mostly going into 1st gear or reverse. I would get the brakes checked out, though. I took my car in for a clicking noise in the rear end that ended up being a problem with the sway bar but they said that back brakes were noisy also and so they took them off, cleaned, lubed, and reinstalled the hardware. I haven't noticed any noise in the steering on my car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 846
Likes: 105
From: Knoxville TN
I have a 91' coupe and my steering wheel doesn't have a clunk when it gets turned, nor do my brakes rattle. I think you forgot 1 quirk - no matter what year C4 it is, it is still going to ride like a lowered gocart with concrete wheels. 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
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From: walled lake MI
the clatter/clunk when you brake could be a loose caliper. shake the calipers by hand and see if they will move. if they move more than a smidge, it's probably either a worn spring clip, worn pin, or worn pads were it contacts the pin, in that order. (this applies to the fronts only.)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: NWI IN
Originally Posted by tempest
the clatter/clunk when you brake could be a loose caliper. shake the calipers by hand and see if they will move. if they move more than a smidge, it's probably either a worn spring clip, worn pin, or worn pads were it contacts the pin, in that order. (this applies to the fronts only.)
You hit it right on the money!!!!!!!!!
After my drive today got a neighbor (who's a ford guy!) involved and he watched the tire as I duplicated the sound and he said the caliper was moving! I got out and tried to move it by hand and sure enough, bout a 1/4" of play. Anyone got part #'s for me?
Sounds like an easy fix, the pads are new, gotta love the ZR-1 style rims for visual access to the caliper and rotor!!!!!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv
my lt4 doesnt have any clunks. the trans does feel notchy, and does have a whine in first gear. think its the nature of the beast. need to change the gear oil also, might cure it. the notchy part that is. think these things whine in first gear out of the box.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Originally Posted by HC96LT4
Ok, who else has this?
2) When you brake at low speed or all of a sudden (i especialy get it when going forward coming out of the garage) you hear a clatter sound as if the brake caliper is loose... again, breaking is fine but its there just like on my 95'.
Anyone else experiance this on their C4??
2) When you brake at low speed or all of a sudden (i especialy get it when going forward coming out of the garage) you hear a clatter sound as if the brake caliper is loose... again, breaking is fine but its there just like on my 95'.
Anyone else experiance this on their C4??
I have also had it do it when stopping and one of the tires hits a patch of sand or dirt.
You can feel a fluctuation in the pedal when it calibrates it self.
Hope this helps.
Mike.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by FNG
my lt4 doesnt have any clunks. the trans does feel notchy, and does have a whine in first gear. think its the nature of the beast. need to change the gear oil also, might cure it. the notchy part that is. think these things whine in first gear out of the box.
Is there anything different about the LT4 ZF6's, or is it just something with the engine that makes it that noisy? I know my alum flywheel isn't helping things in the least, but it is still seriously noisy.
My car also needs the front caliper clips, it sounds like a wheel is about to fall off everytime I hit a bump.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
Originally Posted by Cold_B
Is there anything different about the LT4 ZF6's, or is it just something with the engine that makes it that noisy? I know my alum flywheel isn't helping things in the least, but it is still seriously noisy.
when i first got my 92 i was surprised to be able to hear the transmission output shaft spin when i had it in neutral.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: York PA
I haven't heard the noises from the brakes in my car (1993). The ZF has been very quiest IMHO. But then again my last car was a 1971 Z28. This car is quiest compared to that. This shifter is pretty notchy compared to the C5. I think the C4 (all the electronics aside) is the last true american "muscle" car. I'd love to have the LT4.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Quirks
I have a 1996 and the steering does not make any noise or clicks ever.
Also the ABS does a test, after the start and when you go foreward. The trans also seems to me to run just fine, sorry.
Also the ABS does a test, after the start and when you go foreward. The trans also seems to me to run just fine, sorry.