Front end noise...
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Front end noise...
Greetings, Corvette Forum,
I'm a newbie here, which is a good thing, because while I've owned my '99 Corvette since Sept '98 and, while logging nearly 80,000 miles, haven't had any major problems.
In the last month I've noticed a "spongy" sound from the left wheel area ONLY when I go over sizeable bumps or dips. I can recreate the sound by pressing hard above the wheel with the hood open. What could be wearing out at 80,000 miles to cause such a sound?
My Corvette's been such a great car, I haven't been forced to be "mechanical", until now. Any ideas?
Thank you very much for the help!
Dave
I'm a newbie here, which is a good thing, because while I've owned my '99 Corvette since Sept '98 and, while logging nearly 80,000 miles, haven't had any major problems.
In the last month I've noticed a "spongy" sound from the left wheel area ONLY when I go over sizeable bumps or dips. I can recreate the sound by pressing hard above the wheel with the hood open. What could be wearing out at 80,000 miles to cause such a sound?
My Corvette's been such a great car, I haven't been forced to be "mechanical", until now. Any ideas?
Thank you very much for the help!
Dave
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Dave,
Welcome to the forum. Great write up, but I'm not sure what you mean by a "spongy" sound. It might be my lack of knowing what a spongy sound is, but could you give an example of something else that it sounds like?
Welcome to the forum. Great write up, but I'm not sure what you mean by a "spongy" sound. It might be my lack of knowing what a spongy sound is, but could you give an example of something else that it sounds like?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,600
From: Honolulu HI
My first guess would be the shocks...with 80K on them, they're gone. While your down there, inspect your front leaf, all bushings, sway bar end links, etc. I'd say the shocks are a good place to start though.
Last edited by MTPZ06; Sep 14, 2010 at 10:29 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
My guess is the sway bar mounting rubber bushings. Some will lube the sway bar where it contacts the rubber and this will normally correct it for a short time. What seems to be a longer lasting fix is to remove the mount and rap teflon tape, like the type used for the threads on a fitting, around the sway bar where the bushing contacts it. Also check the sway bar links for play. They should be nice and tight.As far as the shocks, if they are not leaking and the car doesn't keep bouncing when pushed down, chances are they are fine.
One more thing that you should check, the cradle attachment nuts. Make sure they have the proper torque, 110 N·m (81 lb ft).
Last edited by Eric D; Sep 15, 2010 at 12:06 PM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thank you, gents, for the targeted advice. Definitely gets me off in the right direction! While it doesn't seem to affect ride or performance, it is new and different and maybe an indicator of something getting worn out. Have an outstanding day!
- Dave
- Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,600
From: Honolulu HI
Have you discovered the root of your issue?
