When the car is hot, I hear some rather loud creaking, groaning and occasionally some muted popping noises coming from the rear end. This is way louder than the usual creak when going over a speed bump, and the popping is not the exhaust. I hear that normally, and this muted popping is more felt than heard. It's most noticeable when accelerating from a stop in 1st and stopping hard while in any gear (1st, 2nd, or 3rd). I do NOT hear anything when stopping hard while in neutral. Also, there are none of these sounds when the car is cold.

The car's been in and out of the dealer this past week, and they can't find a thing. Of course, even with an appointment, they let the car sit for hours before looking at it. The last tech said I had a loose drain plug in the rear diff. He "Tightened it. Test drove the car. Problem resolved." :mad :mad

Any ideas folks? Is the tranny going south? Anything I can try that would help identify the problem? Man, is seems like something is breaking on this car every other week. :(

 

Personnaly I would get under the Vette and check EVERYTHING myself. If it looks Ok then the next step would be to get the GM Service manual and some tools. Go over all of the bolts and make sure they are secure and torqued (if that is required) to the spec stated in the manual. Finish off by giving the underside a good cleaning and then re-lub the areas that require it.

Proper care and maintenance will make any vehicle last longer. In time you will come to know every bit of your Vette, what noises it makes and why, as well as, be able to correct or modify anything you want. That and you will save $100/hr labor on any minor to mid-level repairs.

:cheers:


[Modified by Lashtal, 11:22 AM 11/15/2002]

 

How many miles? Have you changed the diff fluid? If not, I would change it. Amsoil, Mobil 1, or Red Line. Be sure to put in the GM limited slip additive (non needed with Amsoil). Could be wheel bearing too.... :(

 

I agree with carpe dm. Change the differential gear lube. I switched over to AMSOIL and the noise went away completely, hot or cold, going straight or making a tight turn at a slow speed. Try it before you do anything else.
:yesnod:

 

The car has about 42K miles on it. I had the trans fluid and the diff fluid replaced at 34K miles back in March at the dealer. A 30K change interval was recommened for the fbodies, so I do the same for the Vette. I figure the tranny internals are not THAT different. It doesn't sound like limited slip chatter and it doesn't happen while turning. Only when accelerating and stopping moderately hard.

It's hard to explain. When accelerating it sounds like the car is flexing and some metal part of the drivetrain is groaning and popping in response (like when you over-torque an exhaust bolt). If I hit the brakes hard (but not hard enough to engage ABS) in a low gear it also groans and pops, but if i'm in neutral, I hear nothing. Of course, I can't accelerate in neutral...

I tried to make sure everything is tight, and even had a friend get in the back of the car and jump/shake the car around to see if I could hear or see anything loose. I found nothing. My friend said it sounds like the driveshaft metallic groaning & tinking problem I had on the 98 camaro, just more muted with more groan less tink. But the vette doesn't have the same aluminum driveshaft and u-joint... :confused:

Oh well, I have another appointment with the dealer tomorrow. They're gonna have one more tech look at it. Hopefully, they'll find the problem this time around. :smash: Maybe I should just ask Andy to help out with this troubleshooting and then install the 4:10s at the same time.. :lol: