Transmission rattle -- still no solution???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
Transmission rattle -- still no solution???
Last week i joined the C5 club when I purchased a 2003 standard shift convertible (garage queen with only 1700 miles on her). Got her on the road today and two big disappointments.
First, when the car is idling and the clutch is not depressed there is a troublesome rattle coming from the rear of the car and what I believe is the transmission. When I depress the clutch the rattle slows down and goes away. This doesn't always happen --- sometime I hear a rattle and sometimes not. I've search this forum and it seems many others complain about this and the statement seems to be "it's normal". What's normal about that? I'm sure some smart mechanic must have found a fix/solution by how --- NO?
Does anybody know how to fix this problem. I want people to look at me and my car in awe --- not with pity in their eyes. Doesn't someone out there know how to fix this?
The other disappointment is the 1-4 forced shift pattern. I can't see how this makes any sense --- but at least there appears to be an easy fix to defeat this "feature?" according to members of this forum.
Any suggestions on how to fix the rattle problem would be VERY MUCH appreciated. I may just be spoiled by my C3 where I control everything (not some computer) and nothing rattles that I can't correct.
First, when the car is idling and the clutch is not depressed there is a troublesome rattle coming from the rear of the car and what I believe is the transmission. When I depress the clutch the rattle slows down and goes away. This doesn't always happen --- sometime I hear a rattle and sometimes not. I've search this forum and it seems many others complain about this and the statement seems to be "it's normal". What's normal about that? I'm sure some smart mechanic must have found a fix/solution by how --- NO?
Does anybody know how to fix this problem. I want people to look at me and my car in awe --- not with pity in their eyes. Doesn't someone out there know how to fix this?
The other disappointment is the 1-4 forced shift pattern. I can't see how this makes any sense --- but at least there appears to be an easy fix to defeat this "feature?" according to members of this forum.
Any suggestions on how to fix the rattle problem would be VERY MUCH appreciated. I may just be spoiled by my C3 where I control everything (not some computer) and nothing rattles that I can't correct.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
The rattle is due to tolorances of the drive train and the rear mounted transmission. Some are worse than others, my 1998 with 110,000 miles has never been bad.
I gues you could "blueprint" the drive shaft components, but how do you know what dimensions should be without drawings? And it would be VERY expensive.
That 1 to 4 forced shift saves new buyers from paying a fuel guzzer tax and as you said is easily defeated (my first mod).
I gues you could "blueprint" the drive shaft components, but how do you know what dimensions should be without drawings? And it would be VERY expensive.
That 1 to 4 forced shift saves new buyers from paying a fuel guzzer tax and as you said is easily defeated (my first mod).
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 5
From: Denver, North Carolina
the noise is most likely the throwout bearing, and I've never heard of a fix. All manual C5's do it so I'm told. Mine does it. Turn your radio up or get some aftermarket catbacks.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Last week i joined the C5 club when I purchased a 2003 standard shift convertible (garage queen with only 1700 miles on her). Got her on the road today and two big disappointments.
First, when the car is idling and the clutch is not depressed there is a troublesome rattle coming from the rear of the car and what I believe is the transmission. When I depress the clutch the rattle slows down and goes away. This doesn't always happen --- sometime I hear a rattle and sometimes not. I've search this forum and it seems many others complain about this and the statement seems to be "it's normal". What's normal about that? I'm sure some smart mechanic must have found a fix/solution by how --- NO?
Does anybody know how to fix this problem. I want people to look at me and my car in awe --- not with pity in their eyes. Doesn't someone out there know how to fix this?
The other disappointment is the 1-4 forced shift pattern. I can't see how this makes any sense --- but at least there appears to be an easy fix to defeat this "feature?" according to members of this forum.
Any suggestions on how to fix the rattle problem would be VERY MUCH appreciated. I may just be spoiled by my C3 where I control everything (not some computer) and nothing rattles that I can't correct.
First, when the car is idling and the clutch is not depressed there is a troublesome rattle coming from the rear of the car and what I believe is the transmission. When I depress the clutch the rattle slows down and goes away. This doesn't always happen --- sometime I hear a rattle and sometimes not. I've search this forum and it seems many others complain about this and the statement seems to be "it's normal". What's normal about that? I'm sure some smart mechanic must have found a fix/solution by how --- NO?
Does anybody know how to fix this problem. I want people to look at me and my car in awe --- not with pity in their eyes. Doesn't someone out there know how to fix this?
The other disappointment is the 1-4 forced shift pattern. I can't see how this makes any sense --- but at least there appears to be an easy fix to defeat this "feature?" according to members of this forum.
Any suggestions on how to fix the rattle problem would be VERY MUCH appreciated. I may just be spoiled by my C3 where I control everything (not some computer) and nothing rattles that I can't correct.
The CAGS (Computer Aided Gear Shift) 1 to 4 shift pattern, was installed to get around the EPA gas mileage rules .... for under 30 dollars you can legally defeat it .. and it saved the original purchaser over $1,000 in "gas guzzler" tax.
On the issue of the drive train rattle .....
Did you buy this car so you could enjoy it, or to impress people ????
If you bought it to impress people, promptly sell your Corvette, and buy a Honda, Toyota, or whatever Hybrid (since those are the "Politically Correct" vehicles today) and "impress" people that way.
If you bought your Corvette because YOU want to enjoy the power, handling, comfort, and legacy of owning a Corvette, then F**K those other people at a stop light who might even notice the drivetrain noise it makes .....
What should you care ..... this is one of a very few cars that handles and accelerates like no other car on the planet, and you paid mucho bucks less than a Porsche or Ferrari owner did for, in many cases, better performance.
You are driving one of the best cars on the planet ..... quit worrying about the drivetrain "rattle" ... I've talked to Porsche owners who complain that the engine makes so much noise that they can't listen to their IPod .... effing morons .....
Last edited by BlackZ06; Jan 12, 2008 at 11:13 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: Newhall CA
Well, I agree with you on the rattle. It pissed me off to no end. Try shutting the engine off with the clutch out.... lol. So here's the INSTANT solution, which everyone hates: keep the clutch in at the lights and put it in when you shut it off. Yeah, yeah, throwout bearing wear.... so what. I have 68,700 miles on my 2003 and the "bolts in a coffee can" noise still sounds as crappy as it did when I bought it new.
Now, here's where I disagree: Spoiled by a C3 that has no rattles (cuz they're all fixed)? Hell no. A C3 is a rattle-bucket that could never be as quiet (inside) as a C5.
Don't mistake this for lack of love for the C3, cuz that IS the car I fell in love with. I just tell the truth when I see (or hear it). In my humble opinion, there is exactly ONE thing blatantly wrong with the C5, and you just found it.
- Colby
Now, here's where I disagree: Spoiled by a C3 that has no rattles (cuz they're all fixed)? Hell no. A C3 is a rattle-bucket that could never be as quiet (inside) as a C5.
Don't mistake this for lack of love for the C3, cuz that IS the car I fell in love with. I just tell the truth when I see (or hear it). In my humble opinion, there is exactly ONE thing blatantly wrong with the C5, and you just found it.- Colby
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
The video that came with the Vettes specifically talked about this noise and said it was completely normal. It's just the way it's designed ... and it's true that some rattle more than others (most likely due to manufacturing tolerances).
It's a characteristic of the car ... just need to understand that and get use to it.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Jan 13, 2008 at 02:16 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Yorktown Heights New York
I have a garage queen 4000 miles Z06 and noticed the problem and it kills me since I have had this problem (throwout bearing noise) from my Camaro SS and Trans Am GTA. At first I thought it was a lemon but then Chuck COW told me it is normal. So I just do not care anymore that is what the radio is for.
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