Chassis/frame getting loose after 60k miles?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
Chassis/frame getting loose after 60k miles?
So I've got a C5 coupe, with the removable roof, and until recently its been great. However, recently its REALLY gotten bad as far as chassis flex goes. I can drive over a bump in a parking lot and I can hear the roof and panels squeek a bit. This is way worse than even my Camaro was. The only work I've done to the car recently was that I had a clutch put in. It may be from that, it may not be.
I've checked all 4 bolts for the rear crossmember mount and they seemed tight with a small hand wrench. I don't have a big wrench to check it yet but I'll get that tomorrow.
Anybody else have similar experiences or know what can fix it? Its driving me nuts. :crazy:
I've checked all 4 bolts for the rear crossmember mount and they seemed tight with a small hand wrench. I don't have a big wrench to check it yet but I'll get that tomorrow.
Anybody else have similar experiences or know what can fix it? Its driving me nuts. :crazy:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,326
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From: Taylor TX
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Chassis/frame getting loose after 60k miles? (jmX)
I would normally say that it's just the rubber subframe bushings degrading. But that's such a gradual occurrence that you probably wouldn't notice it "overnight" like you've described.
Then again, I've kept my cars (Vette and 300ZX) for a long time and some days I just notice odd rattles and flexing that I "perceived" were not there before.
I then begin adding more speakers :lol:
Then again, I've kept my cars (Vette and 300ZX) for a long time and some days I just notice odd rattles and flexing that I "perceived" were not there before.
I then begin adding more speakers :lol:
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Re: Chassis/frame getting loose after 60k miles? (lotzahp)
My top had worked itself a little loose. I thought the same thing, that the car was "loosening up", but in actuality, it was the top rattling.
Not only did the top rattle, but when it moved around it made some of the other interior body panels squeak and creak etc.
My solution was to tighten the rear latch(the single one near the halo of the car) by one turn.
The difference was night and day.
I don't think the chassis will get loose. IMO
Not only did the top rattle, but when it moved around it made some of the other interior body panels squeak and creak etc.
My solution was to tighten the rear latch(the single one near the halo of the car) by one turn.
The difference was night and day.
I don't think the chassis will get loose. IMO
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 493
Likes: 1
From: Goose Creek SC
Re: Chassis/frame getting loose after 60k miles? (DucaT)
I notice you said that your clutch had recently been replaced. You may want to do a search for a recent thread adressing replacing rear suspension cradle hardware after removal. I also had my clutch and transmission recently replaced and my rear suspension is making noise. I am going to replace the suspension hardware this month when I install new shocks (Bilstein) and sway bars (Z06).
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Chassis/frame getting loose after 60k miles? (tboneinsc)
I notice you said that your clutch had recently been replaced. You may want to do a search for a recent thread adressing replacing rear suspension cradle hardware after removal. I also had my clutch and transmission recently replaced and my rear suspension is making noise. I am going to replace the suspension hardware this month when I install new shocks (Bilstein) and sway bars (Z06).
It was good for 2-3 days but now is popping again. The nuts should be replaced when they are removed according to the GM manual.
The guys that started the thread over on the other site says that he has had his hardware replaced. It was fine for a few days then the popping come back as well.
Here is his original post about it:
As many of you know from reading the epic of the many repairs on my 01 Z06 by GM, my car has been torn apart many times.
Many of these warranty repairs involved removing either or both of the front and rear suspension cradles.
After each repair I have experienced problems with popping noises coming from the front of the car like the suspension was loose, creaks, groans and adverse handling.
Each time, I have taken my car back and various dealers have told me that the suspension cradle bolts had come loose and the noises I was hearing were from the suspension cradle moving as a result of any significant weight transfer of the vehicle.
Each time they have told me that they retightned the bolts and that it should clear the problem up, but the cradle may come loose again over time and that it was PERFECTLY normal.
Well, I started to think to myself
How come Corvettes coming off the line that have had no repair work done we do not hear about problems with the suspension cradle coming loose? If it was a PERFECTLY normal problem, wouldn't this be a fairly widespread and spoken of problem?
I decided to call Corvette Brand Quality Manager Dave Peacy and he agreed that the suspension cradle should not be coming loose and that there were probably some type of bolts on the suspension that should not be reused after removal but instead replaced.
I went back to Performance Chevrolet in Chapel Hill, NC and informed them of this and they contacted GM technical assistance, some of the suspension engineers and apparently Mr. Peacy was right on the money with his idea.
The techs at Performance were told that ANYTIME **EITHER** of the suspension cradles are removed, the bolts MUST BE REPLACED AND NOT REUSED! PERIOD!!! Also, be sure that they TORQUE the bolts to the EXACT specs for the individual bolts per the service manual. (Using the correct tool and not a guess with an air gun like some techs I have had experience with at Sir Walter Chevrolet in Raleigh, NC)
The techs did not know about this and I have spoken to other dealerships in the area and they also have never heard of this.
How many C5's that have had oil rings jobs, transmission jobs or anything else that involved removing either of the suspension cradles are experiencing these problems due to the lack of the dealer's knowledge of this information?
The items replaced today on my car were
(10) 3537773 Nut ASM-C
(6) 11515744 Nut-Hex
(5) 11516383 Nut-Metri
(2) 10282253 F-Nut
To all of those out there that are experiencing these sorts of problems, I recommend you take this information to your dealer.
