Clunk In Rear End
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
Clunk In Rear End
I have the dreaded "clunk" in the right rear. I assume it is the splines needing lubrication. Someone recently posted a thread with pics, but it doesn't show up using the search function. Anyone?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I looked in Tech Tips and it wasn't there. But I am pretty sure you have to take the rear rotor off and tighten the big axel nut and that should be it. If I am wrong I am sure others will chime in.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
From: Branchburg, NJ
You didn't by any chance have the car up on a lift and unbolt the sway bar did you?? If so, tighten the bolts holding it on to the proper torque and 
- no more clunk!! 
If not that, I dunno what to tell ya...
- no more clunk!! If not that, I dunno what to tell ya...
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,946
Likes: 24,703
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I had this happen to mine also. Fortunately it was under warranty and the dealership did the repair. Not sure what was involved, but they did clean the splines and tighten the nut up. Good luck getting it fixed.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
It could be many things. Best thing I can suggest is that you take David Farmer's torque cheat sheet (there's a link to it on the Sticky) and check everything in the rear end.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
C'mon guys. I'm sure this is the dry splines. Doesn't anyone know who posted the pics of the unit disassembled? I'm going to try to fix this tomorrow. I could just spray white lithium in there without taking everything apart, but I would like to do it right.
TIA
TIA
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
LoJo, The half-shaft has splines on the end where it goes into the hub. From what I have read, when the splines get rusty, it makes a noise when starting in first or reverse. There are a few tech tips (or there were) and someone had recently posted some pics showing the disassembly. This is what I did today:
Jacked up rear and removed tires.
Removed axle nut.
Didn't remove entire hub (I believe that is what the picture poster did)
Sprayed white lithium grease into the space where the half-shaft enters the hub.
Reinstall axle nut (Torque to 118 ft-lbs)
Reinstall wheels (after good cleaning)
I will test drive it tomorrow, and post results.
Jacked up rear and removed tires.
Removed axle nut.
Didn't remove entire hub (I believe that is what the picture poster did)
Sprayed white lithium grease into the space where the half-shaft enters the hub.
Reinstall axle nut (Torque to 118 ft-lbs)
Reinstall wheels (after good cleaning)
I will test drive it tomorrow, and post results.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
The original post was made because someone had posted pics, and I was unable to find them with the search (not) function. I had to go into this blind. After removing the tire and the axle nut, I could see the splines. After examining what it would take to remove the entire hub, I decided to try to shortcut it.
I had read about others spraying WD-40 into the hub and it working OK. Since I had a spray can of white lithium grease, I decided to try that. If that had not worked, I would have gone ahead and removed the hub, and done it right.
Sorry about not posting any pics, but I don't have a camera. If you remove the axle nut, you can clearly see the splines.
On another note: I know I posted this if C5 General. How the HE** did it get into Tech?
I had read about others spraying WD-40 into the hub and it working OK. Since I had a spray can of white lithium grease, I decided to try that. If that had not worked, I would have gone ahead and removed the hub, and done it right.
Sorry about not posting any pics, but I don't have a camera. If you remove the axle nut, you can clearly see the splines.
On another note: I know I posted this if C5 General. How the HE** did it get into Tech?
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 287
Likes: 33
From: Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Originally Posted by Nitro Junkie
The original post was made because someone had posted pics, and I was unable to find them with the search (not) function. I had to go into this blind. After removing the tire and the axle nut, I could see the splines. After examining what it would take to remove the entire hub, I decided to try to shortcut it.
I had read about others spraying WD-40 into the hub and it working OK. Since I had a spray can of white lithium grease, I decided to try that. If that had not worked, I would have gone ahead and removed the hub, and done it right.
Sorry about not posting any pics, but I don't have a camera. If you remove the axle nut, you can clearly see the splines.
On another note: I know I posted this if C5 General. How the HE** did it get into Tech?
I had read about others spraying WD-40 into the hub and it working OK. Since I had a spray can of white lithium grease, I decided to try that. If that had not worked, I would have gone ahead and removed the hub, and done it right.
Sorry about not posting any pics, but I don't have a camera. If you remove the axle nut, you can clearly see the splines.
On another note: I know I posted this if C5 General. How the HE** did it get into Tech?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Timely post, I too have a "clunk" I have been thinking it was a loose shock since I replaced the 03 OEM shocks for the 04 shocks and just assumed I had a loose shock.
I'm going to a friends house in an hour to use his lift to align my exhaust tips. While under there I guess we'll try and figure out where my clunk is coming from.
Thanks
Tom
I'm going to a friends house in an hour to use his lift to align my exhaust tips. While under there I guess we'll try and figure out where my clunk is coming from.
Thanks
Tom
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: Sterling Virginia
Nevermind, i found my answer here, and a bunch more info on the same issue.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...unk&forum_id=1
-Rich
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...unk&forum_id=1
-Rich
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,534
Likes: 118
From: Columbia, SC
Originally Posted by Steve454
I did the WD-40 trick last year and it lasted for about 7-8 months. Like you, I wanted to try an easier method vs removing the hub. Too bad GM doesn't lube the splines when they assemble the car.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 0
From: Roseville CA
Just FYI. We found two C5's that the clunk turned out to be the nut on lower ball joint on the right side had worked loose. Both these cars were heavily used at the Drag strip. So , just one more area to check , if it is not the splines.
