[Z06] Weird transmission "ringing"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Topeka KS
Weird transmission "ringing"
This is hard to describe but since I bought the car about a month ago I've noticed that when I'm off the gas I can hear the transmission make a weird ringing sound. It's not real loud and most noticeable off the gas when the exhaust isn't very loud. Also it's a little louder with the windows down. The frequency depends only on rpms and not on vehicle speed and it's definitely coming from the rear. It does it more when engine braking too but also when the motor isn't loaded either. Basically it almost sounds like there's some tiny jingle bells inside the tranny! Is this normal (this is my first vette and first car with the transmission in the rear)? I've got the GM Major Guard plan so I'll take it in if I need to.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Spicewood, TX
You basically have to realize that these cars are Camaros with body kits and better suspension. They are gonna klank and rattle.
I think the noise is normal. The Z06 has less sound deadening than a normal Vette so more mechanical noise is heard.
I don't know what a "jingle" sound is, but often the shifter can rattle and cause this.
Normal transmission noise is also always present which is most likely what you are hearing, your just not used to having a car with it.
Unless its a shearing, metal to metal, or difficult to find gears I think it is totally fine.
Z
I think the noise is normal. The Z06 has less sound deadening than a normal Vette so more mechanical noise is heard.
I don't know what a "jingle" sound is, but often the shifter can rattle and cause this.
Normal transmission noise is also always present which is most likely what you are hearing, your just not used to having a car with it.
Unless its a shearing, metal to metal, or difficult to find gears I think it is totally fine.
Z
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 23
I'm just curious, what's the relationship to the camaro? I think you are saying the motors and transmissions. My background is with fords, sorry for the ignorance.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Topeka KS
Well I think he's saying that the motors and transmissions are so similar that it's "basically" a beefed up camaro/firebird. I don't think that's the case so much with the Z06 but more similar to the base vette/camaro relationship.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Topeka KS
It's not the shifter and it's not metal on metal it's just a weird whirring/ringing sound. It's really hard to explain but it's like there's some bells attached inside the back of the torque tube near the tranny and everytime the driveshaft speeds up then so does the ringing sound.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Spicewood, TX
It's not the shifter and it's not metal on metal it's just a weird whirring/ringing sound. It's really hard to explain but it's like there's some bells attached inside the back of the torque tube near the tranny and everytime the driveshaft speeds up then so does the ringing sound.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Spicewood, TX
Most think I bought a Vette, it should not do this, which is just not the case. So my comment about the Camaro was the fact that while these are Vette's and are refined..... you get the feeling your driving in a Camaro sometimes when all you can hear is motor sounds, tranny sounds, road sounds etc.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 3
From: KADS- If it has wings or an engine, I can break it. Dallas TX
You may be hearing the "marbles in a can" sound. Try using the search feature. The "marbles in a can" is gear rattle, which is normal for the older Z06's. I believe the gear rattle is from the large tolerances in gear set.
Welcome to the Z06 name that noise game............ these cars made a lot of weird noises when they were new, and they get a little worse with age.
Gear rattle, x-pipe jingle, sewing machine valvetrain, and that was when it was new. Now i have squeaking sway bars, and a squeaking/chirping air bag module. It's still a lot better than the C-4 vert. i had, talk about a rattle trap..................
After I have been driving the ole ladys lexus, and I get in the Z06. Its like damn this vette is loud.
Welcome to the Z06 name that noise game............ these cars made a lot of weird noises when they were new, and they get a little worse with age.
Gear rattle, x-pipe jingle, sewing machine valvetrain, and that was when it was new. Now i have squeaking sway bars, and a squeaking/chirping air bag module. It's still a lot better than the C-4 vert. i had, talk about a rattle trap..................
After I have been driving the ole ladys lexus, and I get in the Z06. Its like damn this vette is loud.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 23
My exhaust jingles....
My brakes squeak when I'm pulling into the driveway slowly....
I'm the second owner and I've found that these are normal sounds. I watched the video that comes with the Z06 and it even tells you at one point that the ( I think it's the exhaust) makes a noise and it is normal, expect it.
My brakes squeak when I'm pulling into the driveway slowly....
I'm the second owner and I've found that these are normal sounds. I watched the video that comes with the Z06 and it even tells you at one point that the ( I think it's the exhaust) makes a noise and it is normal, expect it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Topeka KS
Okay thanks guys. I agree with the comment about the quality being like a camaro/firebird. Having owned 2 LS1 F-bods and an LT1 F-bod the quality of the Z06 is disturbingly very similar. But it's still a badass car and I love it!
Or do like I did and find a set of used Corsa Ti's, and you'll never hear anything but the sweet sound of power! 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: Champaign IL
THE NOISE IS NORMAL.. You can Fix SOME of the Noise if you remove the Solid Mount Shifter Bushings and Replace them with 98-2004 Rubber NON-Z06 ones.. I had to by and entire shifter assembly of E-bay..
Butthese cars still make some weird Noises..
Butthese cars still make some weird Noises..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 48
From: Alameda California
This is hard to describe but since I bought the car about a month ago I've noticed that when I'm off the gas I can hear the transmission make a weird ringing sound. It's not real loud and most noticeable off the gas when the exhaust isn't very loud. Also it's a little louder with the windows down. The frequency depends only on rpms and not on vehicle speed and it's definitely coming from the rear. It does it more when engine braking too but also when the motor isn't loaded either. Basically it almost sounds like there's some tiny jingle bells inside the tranny! Is this normal (this is my first vette and first car with the transmission in the rear)? I've got the GM Major Guard plan so I'll take it in if I need to.
You could be talking about the exhaust jingle, cause by the factory H-pipe. I had a jingle type noise and it was caused by the H-pipe and that normal, I put on a X-pipe and it got rid of that noise. Do a search on the forum there alot of threads on that subject.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: New York NY
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Topeka KS
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Topeka KS
No dice 
I installed the exact spring shown on the link and it's still jingling on decel mainly. In fact the spring had zero effect on the amount of noise so it must be something else. The "jingle" happens whether I'm at idle and rev it up or if I'm moving and I am off the gas.
I installed the exact spring shown on the link and it's still jingling on decel mainly. In fact the spring had zero effect on the amount of noise so it must be something else. The "jingle" happens whether I'm at idle and rev it up or if I'm moving and I am off the gas.