Rear end noise
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Shrewsbury MA
Rear end noise
No not from me but the 94 has a tick or click sound whenever I accelerate from a stopped. It started this spring, and seems to be getting louder, or maybe I am just getting more fustrated with it. I have done the following work to the car over the last 2 years: rear wheel bearing hubs, all u joints (drive shaft and half shafts), clutch. clutch fork ball, throw out bearing, brakes all around. Flywheel is still orginal. All of the above were done within the last 12K miles. The ticker is at 84K and the car is nearly prefect except for that dam click noise.
Did the rear wheel bearing check to see if they may have loosened but they are still tight, no play.
I don't believe I did the never seeze trick to the splines when I changed the rear wheel hubs. I also did not do the rtv type stuff on the c beam. Could either of these be the source of the noise.
Could this be a sign of a failing rear end? I have been fiatful in changing the rear oil and adding GM Posi additive every year for the last 3. Any thoughts appreciated.
Did the rear wheel bearing check to see if they may have loosened but they are still tight, no play.
I don't believe I did the never seeze trick to the splines when I changed the rear wheel hubs. I also did not do the rtv type stuff on the c beam. Could either of these be the source of the noise.
Could this be a sign of a failing rear end? I have been fiatful in changing the rear oil and adding GM Posi additive every year for the last 3. Any thoughts appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Port Angeles WA
There doesn't seem to be much of a responce re: ticks, clicks or whirring in the rear end?
I'm experiencing a similar problem, however mine makes a whirring sound, like a roller bearing spinning, after backing up then driving forward. It only makes the sound once and it lasts for a fraction of a second. Recently I replaced the differential fluid using Mobil 1 75-90 and the GM posi additive. That was about the time I started noticing the sound.
This info probabily doen't help you with your problem but I thought I would let you know I didn't get a responce to my thread either.
I'm experiencing a similar problem, however mine makes a whirring sound, like a roller bearing spinning, after backing up then driving forward. It only makes the sound once and it lasts for a fraction of a second. Recently I replaced the differential fluid using Mobil 1 75-90 and the GM posi additive. That was about the time I started noticing the sound.
This info probabily doen't help you with your problem but I thought I would let you know I didn't get a responce to my thread either.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by chb88
U joints have about 12 K miles since replaced about 2 years ago.
Might try to pull the C-beam bolts. Check for elongated holes, rounded or worn mounting points, torque.
Cruising
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Florence KY
C beam / RTV...
Just how critical is putting RTV on when reinstalling the C-beam as the manual suggests? With the way it fits into place and bolts down tight what function does it serve? I'm about 20 hours away from reinstalling mine and need to know if it's worth the trouble.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Russellville TN
St. Jude Donor '06
Recheck u-joints in half shafts. My car made the same noise. U-joints were the problem. Looked good until I pulled half shafts out and discovered problem with u-joints.
Cheers,
Frank
Cheers,
Frank
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More than likely the rear wheel splines. Every C4 vette I've been in or driven in the last few years has had this problem. Mine does but I'm not worried about it.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
If the click is speed dependent, pull the rear wheels and check the U-joints in the half shafts.
When mine got loud when I rotated the rotor as obvious which U-joint was bad.
When mine got loud when I rotated the rotor as obvious which U-joint was bad.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
GM put some sort of coating on the C beam where it contacts the tranny and the rear end to quieten that squeak. Mine started squeaking right before I did some clutch work. When I re-installed it, I used some liquid nails. It was quiet for a while and then started making the same clicking noise upon initial movement again. Even though I used the Zip products plates for the C beam, I suppose I should have put a lot more coating onto the contact points. Just make sure it is not the u joints.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Anderson South Carolina
We had a friend's '89 on my lift last Friday and he was complaining about a noise in the rear end, everything looked great,we inspected all moving parts.
It ended up being the bushings the the rear sway link on the right side, the bushing material was completely gone.
You might try checking thses before you take the car apart.
vettmike
It ended up being the bushings the the rear sway link on the right side, the bushing material was completely gone.
You might try checking thses before you take the car apart.
vettmike
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Shrewsbury MA
Thanks guys for all the suggestions, I will check these out. The sway bar bushings were a new one to me, and it sounds plausible.
I am also glad to know I am not the only one with this noise, sounds like many others experience this same issue.
Thanks again
I am also glad to know I am not the only one with this noise, sounds like many others experience this same issue.
Thanks again
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Originally Posted by chb88
Any thoughts on the Anti seeze on the rear wheel splines? Is this another sourse of the noise or is just an old wise tale? 
If I were you I would first just try re-torquing the axle nuts. Make sure you torque them with no weight on the wheels (jack the wheel up and use the Park brake). I used the factory spec which I think is around 170 lbs-ft.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Rear end noise
Got a 96 LT4 making the same sound when pulling out, backing up and at low speeds. It's been driving me nuts.
On another web site I found another posting that the axle nut should be checked for correct torque, 168 lbs.
Going to check that this week.
On another web site I found another posting that the axle nut should be checked for correct torque, 168 lbs.
Going to check that this week.
