update on grinding noises.... possible u-joints or something
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,663
Likes: 1,682
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
update on grinding noises.... possible u-joints or something
History:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=194391
Well, I jacked up the car and checked the u-joints again... they are all very tight. That muffler that was loose had loosened up again, but I know that's not what is making the noise I feel/hear. Chris (Vette92) suggested replacing the u-joints anyway.... I will probably do that over my Christmas holiday. Since I drive my vette to work everyday, I'll have to drive it until it breaks or I can fix it... whichever comes first. Sometimes it makes no noises at all, and sometimes I can feel it no matter how easy I take off.
This all started right after I got the new y-pipe and cat put on, so I'm wondering if the mount that is right at the tail of the tranny is rattling or something. From underneath everything is really tight feeling so it's hard to tell.
Hopefully when I pull the shafts out the u-joints will be in sorry shape and that will fix it. I just hope it's not an internal tranny problem or rear end problem. That would suck.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=194391
Well, I jacked up the car and checked the u-joints again... they are all very tight. That muffler that was loose had loosened up again, but I know that's not what is making the noise I feel/hear. Chris (Vette92) suggested replacing the u-joints anyway.... I will probably do that over my Christmas holiday. Since I drive my vette to work everyday, I'll have to drive it until it breaks or I can fix it... whichever comes first. Sometimes it makes no noises at all, and sometimes I can feel it no matter how easy I take off.
This all started right after I got the new y-pipe and cat put on, so I'm wondering if the mount that is right at the tail of the tranny is rattling or something. From underneath everything is really tight feeling so it's hard to tell.
Hopefully when I pull the shafts out the u-joints will be in sorry shape and that will fix it. I just hope it's not an internal tranny problem or rear end problem. That would suck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay area, CA USA
Re: update on grinding noises.... possible u-joints or something (Marcho Polo)
When my u joints were bad they still felt tight. Finally one of the, seized up and made a loud snapping sound that helped me figure out the problem. When I took them apart they look like dust inside rather than grease.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach NY
Re: update on grinding noises.... possible u-joints or something (weekendwrench)
I just replaced my U joints. I heard nothing, everything felt tight, I made a really tight turn and suddenly popping noises on acceleration as well as clicks .
I pulled out the axles (Kudos to Scorp on great description). Broken caps, powdered bearings. I then did the other side, no noise, tight. Inner U was powder and wear marks into the trunion. All the joints showed discoloration.
Vibration that I assumed was wheel tire related dissappeared, car is very smooth now.
Barrier :) :)
I pulled out the axles (Kudos to Scorp on great description). Broken caps, powdered bearings. I then did the other side, no noise, tight. Inner U was powder and wear marks into the trunion. All the joints showed discoloration.
Vibration that I assumed was wheel tire related dissappeared, car is very smooth now.
Barrier :) :)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,663
Likes: 1,682
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
Re: (scorp508)
okay, you've all convinced me that it's probably u-joints....
Scorp, did you do the driveshaft too, or just the halfshafts?
Am I right in guessing that the driveshaft joints probably don't need to be replaced? Usually just the half-shafts.... right?
Scorp, did you do the driveshaft too, or just the halfshafts?
Am I right in guessing that the driveshaft joints probably don't need to be replaced? Usually just the half-shafts.... right?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: (Marcho Polo)
Craig, I'll be off the week after Christmas. I can help if you want it. Pretty quick job and I have a big Vise that works well for the job if you want to drive to Sachse ;). I will be putting my motor back together over the holiday as I finally pick it back up on Saturday.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,663
Likes: 1,682
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
Re: (Vette92)
Craig, I'll be off the week after Christmas. I can help if you want it. Pretty quick job and I have a big Vise that works well for the job if you want to drive to Sachse ;). I will be putting my motor back together over the holiday as I finally pick it back up on Saturday.
I might take you up on that! I'm off Wed, Thu, Fri after Christmas, so maybe Thursday, Friday or Saturday.... whichever would be good for you. I don't have a vise so I was going to pull the shafts and take them to Inland Truck Parts and have them put the joints in. I've used them before for the same thing on a Z and they did a great job. Let me know what day would be good for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: (Marcho Polo)
Right now, any day looks good for me. The only plans I have made that week are to work on my car. It will need all week. ;)
I'll shoot you an IM with the directions to the new place.
I'll shoot you an IM with the directions to the new place.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 253
From: Little Elm TX
Re: (Fastguy)
Have you checked the E-brake and cables? Maybe it didn't get put back where it belongs and isn't releasing properly. You stated that sometimes it does it and other times it doesn't.............sometimes it hangs and sometimes it doesn't would explain this. I don't know whether yours is an auto or 6sp or if you even use the E-brake. Might be worth looking into though. If you get it to the point that it's not doing it and you normally use the E-brake, then you might try not using it for a day or two and see if you have the same problem.