A new problem...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 80
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
A new problem...
Well I decided to go on the highway for the first time since getting the 3.73 rear I got from a guy into the car I realized that I have a rear end "growl/grumble" (Not a howl) at anything over 68mph. Anything under that its quiet like it should be. As soon at you hit 68mpg it starts growling and vibrating the drivetrain some. It's not horrible but it made me not want to keep going that speed. The faster I went the louder it got. This all started with the rear I installed. I'm assuming thats why i got a good deal on it. The OEM rear never did that. I pushed in the clutch and I could hear it better so it definately sounds like the rear. I only changed the rear so I'm assuming thats the cause. Any ideas what it could be in the diff?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,592
Likes: 1,053
From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
Did you change the complete assembly or just the gears? Sounds like it was not set up correctly, or the bearings may be bad.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 80
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,214
From: Park City Utah
As soon at you hit 68mph it starts growling and vibrating the drivetrain some. The faster I went the louder it got. This all started with the rear I installed. I pushed in the clutch and I could hear it better so it definately sounds like the rear.Any ideas what it could be in the diff?
My guess is that a U joint isn't seated right in a yoke, or something related. You could check pinion bearing for slop but that doesn't usually produce vibes under load. I'd have a close look at the drive shaft, Drive shaft u joints, caps, straps, bolts and yokes.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Anderson IN
yup i agree check your U-joint placement into the yoke.
I got into that with a camaro, when i put the drive shaft back in i didn't get it seated square and at about 40 MPH it would rattle your teeth out.
I would think if it was something with the internal ring and pinion you would notice it all the time
I got into that with a camaro, when i put the drive shaft back in i didn't get it seated square and at about 40 MPH it would rattle your teeth out.
I would think if it was something with the internal ring and pinion you would notice it all the time
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 80
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Well I found out what the vibration was. I was driving the car last weekend and all the sudden I heard a clunking in the right rear tire. It would do it under load and slowing down, but would quiet down when I was coasting. I finally got around to checking it out tonight, I found a bearing cap missing on the half shaft towards the wheel. The vibration must have been the cap slowly working its way out of the halfshaft yoke. The clip must not have been seated enough and caused the cap to work its way out. Anyways I'm glad I found the problem. I just need to find myself a good used half shaft (Easy) as I'm not sure if the ujoint wore out the bore on the half shaft. I want to be safe.
Hopefully this info can help somebody in the future. Thanks for all your help!
Hopefully this info can help somebody in the future. Thanks for all your help!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 578
Well I found out what the vibration was. I was driving the car last weekend and all the sudden I heard a clunking in the right rear tire. It would do it under load and slowing down, but would quiet down when I was coasting. I finally got around to checking it out tonight, I found a bearing cap missing on the half shaft towards the wheel. The vibration must have been the cap slowly working its way out of the halfshaft yoke. The clip must not have been seated enough and caused the cap to work its way out. Anyways I'm glad I found the problem. I just need to find myself a good used half shaft (Easy) as I'm not sure if the ujoint wore out the bore on the half shaft. I want to be safe.
Hopefully this info can help somebody in the future. Thanks for all your help!
Hopefully this info can help somebody in the future. Thanks for all your help!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 80
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Well I ordered a used half shaft off ebay. I have to take the shaft to my local shop to have them put the new spicer u joints I ordered in as I do not have a press or even a good vice where I am now. Hopefully they don't screw anything up....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 578
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 80
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Well I got the passenger side done then I noticed the drivers side half shaft outer ujoint was doing the EXACT same thing! So needless to say both sides will have spicer u joints in and out so I won't have to worry about those! I think my problem was when I replaced the joints many moons ago I never cleaned out the groves that the clips sit in so the clips fell out and the forces involved while driving caused the caps to start working their way out of the half shafts.