rear end noise
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
rear end noise
Hello fellow corvette drivers. I have a 2001 A4 vert w/ 56000 mi. I change tires, replaced rotors and pads, change trans and diff fluid but the sound is still there. I took it to 2 mechanis and they both say the wheel bearins are fine. the noise is like harmonic "whomp whomp whomp" sound. also note the sound is there at decleration until car comes to a complete stop. any advice would be much appreciated. thank in advance
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
Hello fellow corvette drivers. I have a 2001 A4 vert w/ 56000 mi. I change tires, replaced rotors and pads, change trans and diff fluid but the sound is still there. I took it to 2 mechanis and they both say the wheel bearins are fine. the noise is like harmonic "whomp whomp whomp" sound. also note the sound is there at decleration until car comes to a complete stop. any advice would be much appreciated. thank in advance
Ditto. I'm glad you described the sound. I have been having that same issue for the last year or so...
I thought maybe TT bushings/bearings or pinion bearing/ring bearing maybe...??
Anyone???
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Are your tires cupping at all, thats a simular sound we hear all the time from customers. Usually the tires are cupped, if you rub your hand one direction it will feel smooth, if you rub the tread back in the opposite directiion it will grab your fingers. If your tires are directional which most are on the vets you can't rotate from side to side unless you break the tire down off the wheel and move it to the opposite side. That might correct it, if its an asymetrical tire which means there is in inside tread and a different outside design, then you could just move them side to side. This will only work if you actually have a tire issue. I rarely sell a directional tire unless they just aren't available in a specific size. I don't know if this is your problem, but, check the rear tires and see if that could be the issue. Good luck, if its showing abnormal wear and they are cupping also have an alignment done.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
sorry for the long reply. I have been very busy lately. the sound is still there and I have tried all of your recommendations. Looks like I will have to take to a trans specialist or dealer. thanks to all. Still any ideas are welcome 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Bahrain
Hooray, at last a fellow member with the same noise I've endured for the past 3 years!!!!
I have had my car at the dealer and independent mechanic shops and no one can tell me what the problem is.
I suspected wheel bearings but they were taken apart and put back in again as were good as new.
I too have changed tyres, brake pads and rotors. Have had every
bolt loosened off and re-tightened....etc......
And yes, the vibration, or rumble, is less when I turn to the left even very slightly, and yes we have the same mileage!
I have now learned to live with it even though it is quite annoying.
I'll happily listen to anyone with a solution though
I have had my car at the dealer and independent mechanic shops and no one can tell me what the problem is.
I suspected wheel bearings but they were taken apart and put back in again as were good as new.
I too have changed tyres, brake pads and rotors. Have had every
bolt loosened off and re-tightened....etc......
And yes, the vibration, or rumble, is less when I turn to the left even very slightly, and yes we have the same mileage!
I have now learned to live with it even though it is quite annoying.
I'll happily listen to anyone with a solution though
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 5
This sounds like the same noise I have in my 2000 Hardtop (63000 miles). I just replaced both rear wheel bearings this weekend but the noise is unchanged. It sounds like "once per rev" so maybe it's tires. I remember that the last time I put on new tires, the old ones were really noisy. But since you said that you replaced your tires, I guess it rules out that possibility in your case. I kinda suspect the final drive (gears or a bearing) too, but I really hope it's not that...People have told me that some aluminum housing differentials have a tendency to get noisy because the pinion bearing starts to deform the housing (axially) over time so the pinion/ring gear mesh alignment gets out of spec. I like to pretend that this doesn't happen to Corvettes. 
I've also been thinking about the torque tube bearings...doesn't sound like high enough frequency to be them but who knows...
If you ever figure it out, PLEASE post the info.
I've also been thinking about the torque tube bearings...doesn't sound like high enough frequency to be them but who knows...If you ever figure it out, PLEASE post the info.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
driveline noise, rear clicking, and rear vibration w/ bad odor.
So I have similar issues with my 01 Z06. A couple times I have gotten the rear end vibration at highway speed accompanied by a bad odor. Almost like a burnt grease smell. Seperately I have heard clicking from rear at low speed in 1st or 2nd gear. I read that this could be due to axle shaft nuts not torqued properly. ?? The most common thing I hear is a swooshing sound from torque tube, heard thru shifter area. Car seems to not roll as smoothly when I hear the noise. Maybe just coincidence but if I start the car in neutral I don't head this sound and car runs smooth. I'm wondering if clutch is the source of my issues. It doesn't seem to slip any, even when launching with nos.
Has anyone figured anything out on any of these issues?
Has anyone figured anything out on any of these issues?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 8
From: Lexington KY
I have an 01 Z 20k too I notice the rumbling sound coming from the drive shuft area when its in neutral, but when I press the clutch pedal the noise goes away .....I've seen some posts here some guys said that sound is normal ....to much horsepower ......
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Tires tires tires. I use Firestone Firehawk or Michelin's. No one mentioned brand of tires. I had a similar problem on my Mercedes with same size brand of tires. I also had cupping on the MB and chased all the same issues including noise. Finally Michelins solved the problem. I run Michelins on the Mercedes and Firehawk or Michelin' PS2's on the vet. No rear end noise. (but perhaps I am a bit hard of hearing.)
