My 90 six speed runs beautifully 80,000 miles on it, never seen winter.
but when you start in first , it sounds like a bed spring creeking , is that a U joint going?
MZee

 

or wheel bearing.

I';ve given up on diagnosing noises over the internet !

what one guy calls a grinding the next calls a screeching/crackling noise...too hard to interpret.

Jack car up, rock wheel back & forth and watch drive line and listen. Then grab at top and bottom and try to wiggle in/out. If you feel wiggle the bearing is GONE and must be replaced now. If you have a joint that sounds that bad as you describe it will soon fall out and you walk home. Don't push your luck.
80,000 miles is about avg for bearings, joints and frt brakes...some bushings as well depending on how the maint was done.

 

It was in a shop yesterday, they had it on the hoist.Said nothing wiggles, nothing lose, just sounds when taking off like a bedspring, no clunk.They said it's not a wheel bearing.
They think nothing is lose, but they are guessing it's the beginning of a U joint, left rear.But can't tell.
So, they said bring it next week, it's a big job to take the axle off, check etc.Guess, five hours etc.So I guess because the car is perfect in every other way, I should.Going on a trip tonight 2 hours there 2 hours back, hoping it's ok.
Thanks so much for the quick reply!
MZee

 

The high pitched sound you are talking about is a U joint, they do dry out after awhile.

Make sure if you plan on keeping the car they install joints that can be greased.

 

Ok, I will take it in and start spending next week.
That creaking or clicking when accelerating is abit spooky to hear.
Thanks,
MZee

 

I get the same kind of noise in my 93 w/six speed when I reverse and go forwards for the first few feet...

I thought it may be related to the emergency brake releasing...

 

It really isn't that big of a job to replace the u-joints. If I had a lift and a decent press, I could change all 4 axle u-joints in 5 hours.....and I tend to take longer than most.

 

RUN !

that's a big pile of BS ! they see $$$ in them there pockets of yers...

On a lift, its a 5 minute job to drop a short shaft. Main shaft maybe 30mins since you have to drop the C-beam to make it easy.Thats 4 other bolts that you will have to suffer thru....poor mechanic...an extra 4 bolts? that's an extra charge !

remove 4 u-joint strap bolts, both ends of the short shaft and watch your head cause the shaft will FALL out and might hit you !
.

You need to find a shop/mechanic that's got Corvette experience otherwise you will get RAPED at the avg shop that knows nuthin about vettes...They will ALWAYS go the long way, the hard way, or the wrong way because they are not trained or educated in Corvette technology and yes, it IS different. The MYTH is to most repair shops and wanna be mechanics that working on a Corvette is a bitch...and its simply NOT true. Its a bitch when you're an idiot or do not have the proper tools...otherwise its usually a cake walk. There ARE some things that are difficult....but short shafts (or half shafts) ain;t one of them. Too easy. Done in driveways all across the country every Saturday.

Contact your local Corvette club or performance shop and see who they use.
These generic repair shops, INCLUDING dealers (aka as Stealerships) will over charge YOU for their ignorance and their (lack of)education. Why should YOU pay for them to LEARN how to do a u-joint change on a C4 vette?

Good luck, just don't wait too long. That clicking noise is your only warning.

 

Definitely sounds like the U-joint. I also need to tackle this job on a free weekend

I'm at the point where not only do I hear a clunk/clink/metal bang/ping/etc... but I also have some pretty awesome movement of the shaft whenever I give it throttle(even the slightest)

Vibration in your butt on the highway is also a sign of a U-joint. Mine's a symphony at 75

 

. My car creaks when starting out. Going slow accelerating. But I can not hear anything at any other speed. Someone guessed. Five hour job to drop axle. Look. Change u joint. But not in reverse. The car runs perfectly except for the bed spring creaking or pinging m zee. I am away two hour drive. Don't push the car but its a concern. M zee

 

Oh thanks what great advice! I think the slight pinging abd creaking is it but on the hoist or at any other speed, there is noob enemy. Nothing loose. But next week I want something done. It isn't healing or luckily disappearing I know. Oh well. I got a great deal and its s solid fun car to have on sunny days. Just don't like non cosmetic improvements. Lol

 

Rule #1: They need to drive right before they look right.

 

Good point.what happens when you pay for that u joint job ab=nd it still creaks when going from 0 to 10 miles an hour, doesn't happen any other time!

MZee

 

It COULD but very well may not be the U-Joint.

There is a teflon coated washer on the outer stub axle for the rear wheel brgs that can also make a clicking or creaking noise at low speed under light loads.... it is much easier and cheaper to change.

GM Part Number 14076924

Good thread with pics located here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...changed-2.html

If it turns out to be the U-Joints, they are very easy to change yourself. I often check/change U-Joints on my race car and it's a 20 min per side job to get the half shaft out. ten 10mins per joint on the work bench. Quite possiblly there is a CF member in your area that can/will help you. Don't get mugged by some shop charging a Corvette Tax.
Will

 

Thanks, a guy said five hour job to drop axle. Now seems unreasaonable, I will find out , thanks,
you have made my day!

Mzee

 

I had an issue where the stub ends developed a light coat of rust on them that somehow created a clunk when you'd first get moving

I took off the rear brakes, hubs, and wirebrushed the stub ends. I then applied antiseize to the stub end/ hub and reassembled.

10 yrs later the clunk was gone. I replaced u joints, as cheap insurance, and the shop that did it said there was nothing wrong with my old ones.

That was on a 500+ rwhp 93 with zf6spd
antizeize to the stub end

 

Well, it's going in tomorrow, I do not want to pay big bucks but I also don't want to drive afraid of accelerating more than a grandpa in an Impala either.Going in tomorrow and I'm hoping the bill isn't big!
Thanks, I will make all those suggestions, Teflon washer, your suggestion etc.
MZee

 

I can change them all with a jack, a hammer, and two blocks of wood in 2 hours!

 

Lots to report tomorrow when it's in the shop and he;s calling me with the list of this and that I guess.
Thanks for the guidline of hours to charge me.
MZee

 

Follow up ,
thank you very much for all your guidance.
It was not U joints, it was exactly what was diagnosed. Coated washer for stub axles.
No stock so I have to wait for a week . they put it back together.Runs great and it's creaking alittle for now. Thanks again,
While I was in there. Replaced right passenger window motor so that the tired window now flies up and down.
Total flush, coolant, oil, all fluids, K and N air filter.fuel filter, all done, plugs etc.
MZee
MZee