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I am trying to figure out a loud raspy grind/rattle noise coming out of my gear box. I have a 2003 Z06 with 46k miles, owned it for just about a year. I think the noise appeared in the last few months- at first i wrote it off as loud drive train i heard about online- but it has gotten worse.
I took off my shift boot to do some testing/recording. The noise is noticeable when revving in neutral, in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th (haven't tried 6th). When clutch pedal in, noise is much less. The clutch fluid looks decent.
I spent the last two days online reading, I think it is a pilot bearing, but haven't really found a post or a video that is exactly like my problem. Given the cost in labor/time to replace the bearing, is there anyway to make sure? or has anyone had any similar symptoms? Attached are two videos. One is revving in neutral, the other is driving in 3rd (1-3k RPM).
Be it pilot bearing or not. Torque tube has to come out.
I have a new to me vette. Similar noise showed up.
I would have sworn it was pilot bearing. Once the tube was out, was the couplers.. totally destroyed.
For me, it was time consuming and expensive.
you will need it apart to diagnose. And then there is a few grand of " while you are in there".
If you have space and are handy you can save a ton. If not..... find a mechanic you trust who works on these cars
The pilot bearing doesn't spin when the clutch pedal isn't depressed so since your noise is at its worst when the clutch isn't depressed, I doubt that's the problem. As mentioned, kinda doesn't matter what the root cause is, you have to take the whole thing out anyway so you might as well refresh it all at once.
thank you guys for the insight! I plan on borrowing a lift and doing it all myself in the near future, replace pilot, clutch/flywheel, slave, add quick bleeder, rebuild torque tube, change all the fluids down there. All the forum posts and youtube videos definitely make a daunting task look doable.
Just a heads up on the torque tube. If you are considering a replacement prop shaft. Don't order until you have it removed and measured.
will save you time and aggravation
It was in fact the front torque tube bearing (input shaft). I hop this thread and the above video will help others in the future ID their drive train noise
the rear bearings and couplers don't look too bad, but I will replace both couplers and all three bearings
Two things that are concerning. My snubber moved, traveling all the way forward by the front coupler probably due to the failed front bearing, it is in decent shape though. There are indentions/rubber marks by where it is supposed to be. I'm not quite sure how to move it back and glue it back in place, will have to do more research but doesn't look like a common problem. My driveshaft is also got a yellow rusty color to it not sure how that happened, haven't seen anyone else's drive shaft look like that coming out of the torque tube. the vette only has 45k miles =(
Tt bearings seem to be a common failure. But with yoir miles, maybe the coloring on the shaft is an indication. Ever been exposed to deeper water?
I've only had her for a year. Quite a few previous owners but i had an independent inspection done pre purchase and literally no sign of rust anywhere else. Definitely my first thought when I opened up the TT as well. So strange, can not find any other owner complain about rust or oxidation in this part of the car
pilot bearing noise?
