C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

"Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 09:07 PM
  #1  
jshope's Avatar
jshope
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse NY
Default "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it?

During the past week, I started to notice a clunking sound when accelerating and decelerating. It seems to be getting more pronounced each day.

I replaced the U-joints last winter, so I don't think it is one of them.

My shop manual says that it may be a "wore differential cross shaft in case."

I jacked it up and looked underneath, but everything looked fine.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Anyone know what it could be?
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 09:15 PM
  #2  
2001 Z06's Avatar
2001 Z06
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: HOUSTON TX
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (jshope)

Did you replaced all the U-joints? What you describing sounds like a bad u-joint.
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 09:23 PM
  #3  
Denney's Avatar
Denney
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 0
From: 20 forward gears to shift through in MD
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (2001 Z06)

Yea, it does ~sound~ like a U-joint to me also...
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 09:25 PM
  #4  
Nathan Plemons's Avatar
Nathan Plemons
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (jshope)

Torque arm perhaps? Every time I don't get the bolts as tight as they need to be I get all kinds of funny noises. One of which was a really bad clunk sound that I just KNEW wasn't in the torque arm. It was.
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 09:33 PM
  #5  
jshope's Avatar
jshope
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse NY
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (Nathan Plemons)

Yes, I replaced all 6 U-joints, HOWEVER, I bought those stupid Brute Force U-joints. I researched with the forum before I put them in and EVERYBODY said don't use Brute Force. I figured you all had suped-up engines producing lots 'o torque and I'd be fine with them with my <mostly> stock engine.

BTW, what is the torue arm?
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 10:13 PM
  #6  
lead foot 85 vet's Avatar
lead foot 85 vet
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 1
From: providence ut
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (jshope)

I had the same problem with my 86 4x3 and first had the rear end and u-joints rebuilt and replaced...........I was sure it was the rear end as the car had 108,000 miles on it ..............the rear end was in very good condition and of course the clunk was still there after the rebuild and $700.00......then I went after the driveline yokes for slack in the splines........still a clunk but less..........the transmission had a very slight howl in secount and third so I had it rebuilt and wala the clunk was gone.......slope in the transmission main bearings . :chevy
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 11:09 PM
  #7  
jshope's Avatar
jshope
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse NY
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (lead foot 85 vet)

Wow, that's very interesting. I rebuilt the manual part of the transmission because it kept on popping out of second gear. Well, that problem went away (after the rebuild) and ever since there has been a whirling sound in third gear on acceleration, but only 3rd - every other gear works like new.

Also, the clunking sound seems to be coming from the rear passenger side. I'll take it to work tomorrow and pay closer attention to where it is coming from. Before I rebuild the tranny again, I think I'll hit the half-shaft U-joints first. If that does not correct it, then I'll see about the tranny rebuild this winter.


[Modified by jshope, 10:10 PM 8/8/2002]
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 11:12 PM
  #8  
GlockLT4's Avatar
GlockLT4
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (jshope)

My torque arm made a weird creeking noise for a while until i figured out the bolts weren't tight enough.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 8, 2002 | 11:48 PM
  #9  
XtremeVette's Avatar
XtremeVette
Original Founding Member!
Supporting Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (jshope)

yep..my money is on the u joint buddy...


simple test.....and although the u-joint can fool you....usually by doing this...it won't...

Jack the car up...
Grab ahold of the halfshaft....and with a flashlight on the u-joint (where it connects)....watch as you turn the halfshaft.....look for any extra play...slight wiggle...clicking noise...etc etc....

hope this helps
Jeff :cool:
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2002 | 12:22 AM
  #10  
Nathan Plemons's Avatar
Nathan Plemons
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (jshope)


BTW, what is the torue arm?
That would be the aluminum piece that connects your tranny to the rear end other than the driveshaft. It's really the only thing that ties the whole system together, 2 bolts on either end. They can be a real PITA to get tight enough.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2002 | 12:28 AM
  #11  
GlockLT4's Avatar
GlockLT4
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (Nathan Plemons)


BTW, what is the torue arm?

That would be the aluminum piece that connects your tranny to the rear end other than the driveshaft. It's really the only thing that ties the whole system together, 2 bolts on either end. They can be a real PITA to get tight enough.
:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: Hard as HECK to get the nuts secure so you can tighten down the head of the bolt!
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2002 | 09:45 AM
  #12  
jshope's Avatar
jshope
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse NY
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (Glock'94)

Well, in my quest to try to find someone in town who carries Spicer U-joints, I will get under the car and check on those torque arm bolts. Thanks for the definitions. I know exactly what it is now and it certainly was off the car this past winter.

Thanks for all of the input guys.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2002 | 01:42 PM
  #13  
YLO Z06's Avatar
YLO Z06
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 177
From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (jshope)

My "clunks" were caused by bad rear wheel bearings, so you may want to check those out while you're at it.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2002 | 03:07 PM
  #14  
Ruff Ryder's Avatar
Ruff Ryder
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: A Dog House in Chicagoland IL
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (94vette)

My clunk was: my head hitting the seat on fast acceleration.:eek:

Not sure what yours is though.........

Good Luck!


[Modified by Ruff Ryder, 7:08 PM 8/9/2002]
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2002 | 03:54 PM
  #15  
87Beast's Avatar
87Beast
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (Ruff Ryder)

I agree, Check your all your u-joints. Had an incident once where i replaced u-joints on a 1/2 shaft then a couple days later there was a clunking noise.... turned out to be one of the u-joints I replaced.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2002 | 01:53 AM
  #16  
Wadoka's Avatar
Wadoka
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 29,937
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Cruise-In 1-2-3-4-5 Veteran
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (87Beast)

My clunk was worn-out spindle control arm bushings. But now I have a new clunk. Oy.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2002 | 12:04 AM
  #17  
jshope's Avatar
jshope
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse NY
Default Re: "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it? (Matt Black)

OK, here is what I found - the U-joints "appeared" to be fine, so I didn't want to go there just yet.

I got underneath and the bolts on the torque arm (thanks for telling me what a torque are is, BTW) weren't quite as tight as I thought they should be. With some help from the forum, I tightened them more than I thought they should be. Took it out for a spin and now my clunk is gone!

Thanks for all of your inputs.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To "Clunk" sound when accelerating and decelerating - What is it?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:53 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE