drive train rattle - cause??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Apple Valley mn
drive train rattle - cause??
C5s (mine is a 2004 w/12,000 miles) are famous for the well know drive train "rattle" out of the blocks. I just find it hard to believe that GM engineers could not figure out the fix for this annoying issue thru out the model years. Threads on the forum pin the cause as a sloppy throw out bearing...others say it is some "harmontic" noise caused by the extended drive shaft. The fix seemed so elusive that GM even included an demostration of the rattle in their 2002 owners video. My question is why this problem never got fixed by GM engineers and is their a viable solution to the infamous rattle. (even though it's considered as normal).
Has anyone out there ever had any success engineering out the rattle
Has anyone out there ever had any success engineering out the rattle
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 767
Likes: 42
From: Laguna Beach CA
C5s (mine is a 2004 w/12,000 miles) are famous for the well know drive train "rattle" out of the blocks. I just find it hard to believe that GM engineers could not figure out the fix for this annoying issue thru out the model years. Threads on the forum pin the cause as a sloppy throw out bearing...others say it is some "harmontic" noise caused by the extended drive shaft. The fix seemed so elusive that GM even included an demostration of the rattle in their 2002 owners video. My question is why this problem never got fixed by GM engineers and is their a viable solution to the infamous rattle. (even though it's considered as normal).
Has anyone out there ever had any success engineering out the rattle
Has anyone out there ever had any success engineering out the rattle
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
From: Clinton Twp. Michigan
info ?
Could you be more specific as to when YOU here this noise? Do you mean from the engine block, or when taking off fast/slow from a dead stop? Or driving at a steady speed? What RPM and/or speed? 6spd. or auto? What area does the noise seem to be coming from? Can you compair the sound to anything else?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
This drove me crazy at first too. This would never happen with a German of Japaneese car. But if you keep the clutch depressed when you turn off the car; and you keep the clutch depressed at a stop light and you start off from a dead stop with enough rpm's --- you don't hear it and ultimately you forget about it. But if anybody came up with a fix, I'd love to hear about it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 767
Likes: 42
From: Laguna Beach CA
On mine I've only heard it a few times and then it went away. It was at idle and low speed, sounded like a bag of popcorn popping but only louder. At first I thought it was my header rattling against the heat shield for some reason. The sound was coming from bellhousing. Clutch engagement is normal, no codes, and no unusual sounds from the motor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
If you are referring to the marbles in a can sound you hear when you slowly drive off in first gear, it is caused by the slack in the drivetrain. The C5 has a rear mounted transmission attached to the differential. This results in more drivetrain slack but a better balanced car. Automatics do not suffer from this because the slack is taken up once you put the car in drive.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Apple Valley mn
The other threads sum it up. occurs only with manual - 6sp-transmissions. Its from a dead stop, just as you are starting forward. Stops when the clutch becomes fully engaged.The sound is coming from the bell housing area and compare it like a heat shield hitting "rattle". Its clear GM engineers have always knew about the issue as it is covered in the 2002 owners video. Still, why not engineer it out.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
C5s (mine is a 2004 w/12,000 miles) are famous for the well know drive train "rattle" out of the blocks. I just find it hard to believe that GM engineers could not figure out the fix for this annoying issue thru out the model years. Threads on the forum pin the cause as a sloppy throw out bearing...others say it is some "harmontic" noise caused by the extended drive shaft. The fix seemed so elusive that GM even included an demostration of the rattle in their 2002 owners video. My question is why this problem never got fixed by GM engineers and is their a viable solution to the infamous rattle. (even though it's considered as normal).
Has anyone out there ever had any success engineering out the rattle
Has anyone out there ever had any success engineering out the rattle
Just be glad they didn't incorporate in the C5 unless you like replacing a $1500.00 flywheel.
If you don't like the noise just drive around it, it's really easy to do by altering your launch technique.
The DM flywheel also causing other issues in throttle response so the minuses really outweigh the plus.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
I contacted GM about mine, as it had it from day one. The answer I received was exactly as mentioned above, they could put a heavier flywheel in and sacrifice some performance, or light flywheel and possibly get a rattle in some 6sp cars. They chose the marbles in the can.
