Low-Speed Clunking Noise in Drivetrain
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 751
Likes: 8
From: Escondido CA
Low-Speed Clunking Noise in Drivetrain
Hello Folks,
Our 2004 LS1 six-speed has been making a 'clunking' sound when in gear and moving when either applying throttle or letting off the throttle at slow speeds. In the past this is exactly the sort of noise I would diagnose as U-joint wear, but as the C5 has transaxle architecture I am unsure. I put the car up on the lift but couldn't see anything apparrent, and because of the torque tube I couldn't just grab the driveline to attempt to replicate the noise.
I am familiar with legacy C2 & C3 driveline design but I am still behind on the C5; could this still be a u-joint? If so I would be surprised as I am the second owner, and the car only has 40,000 gently driven miles. Are there any other known possible causes for this clunking sound?
Thanks in advance!
Our 2004 LS1 six-speed has been making a 'clunking' sound when in gear and moving when either applying throttle or letting off the throttle at slow speeds. In the past this is exactly the sort of noise I would diagnose as U-joint wear, but as the C5 has transaxle architecture I am unsure. I put the car up on the lift but couldn't see anything apparrent, and because of the torque tube I couldn't just grab the driveline to attempt to replicate the noise.
I am familiar with legacy C2 & C3 driveline design but I am still behind on the C5; could this still be a u-joint? If so I would be surprised as I am the second owner, and the car only has 40,000 gently driven miles. Are there any other known possible causes for this clunking sound?
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by kbuhagiar; Apr 10, 2025 at 08:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 751
Likes: 8
From: Escondido CA
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Check post 9 on this thread before you tear into the torque tube
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-loose.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-loose.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 751
Likes: 8
From: Escondido CA
Check post 9 on this thread before you tear into the torque tube
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-loose.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-loose.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 751
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From: Escondido CA
Drifting
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Mine is an auto however whenever putting it gear I got a dull clunk. Suspected engine mounts were confirmed when a small brake torque while observing the engine showed it rocking excessively to the passenger side under load. I would check those and the rear diff mount at the cradle.
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I am experiencing the same clunky sounds from the rear end area of my C6. Jacked up the car and took a look at the Sway Bar links and I think they are the problem. Sprayed both links liberally with Silicone spray and the noise has quieted down a lot. I'm ordering a set(Moog) for the rear and will install them next weekend.
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Just got the Sway Bar Links and will get them put on when the weather cooperates. I took another look at the Sway Bar and measured it (1") with links that aren't OEM links, so this might be a crap shoot. Bushings looked relative new so I won't change them at this time.
Question: is the OEM Sway Bar a 1" bar? I'm finding other non OEM things on this "stock" C6, including Magna flo mufflers.
Question: is the OEM Sway Bar a 1" bar? I'm finding other non OEM things on this "stock" C6, including Magna flo mufflers.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 751
Likes: 8
From: Escondido CA
No, not yet...truth be told I got it up on the rack and then got pulled away by another project.
I hope to take a look at the sway bar links in the next day or two, but if they're OK I'm probably going to take it to our local Corvette mechanic, as I have no desire to mess with the torque tube.
I hope to take a look at the sway bar links in the next day or two, but if they're OK I'm probably going to take it to our local Corvette mechanic, as I have no desire to mess with the torque tube.
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Moved to C5 Tech for more assistance.
8th Gear
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Hi there. I have a 03 C5 doing the same clunking. Took my car to a repair shop were the owner has some Corvette experience. After a test drive and getting on the lift pulling down the skid pan, it has been suggested to rebuild the torque tube. Good luck. Enjoy
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Yikes; oddly enough I had a dealership replace the automatic shift cable (broken) and they of course had to pull the cover panel to get the cable on; however, my C6 was making the noise before the cable was replaced. I did spritz the Sway Bar end LInks good with a penetrating oil and the problem went away (wasn't a permanent fix) so I have end links to put on to replace the worn ones.
