Rear end "clunk" when starting off
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Rear end "clunk" when starting off
My C5 is still under warranty, and the dealer says "it's normal to clunk" when putting into gear from neutral and when starting off from a dead stop. It just started doing this a few months ago. Sounds like a u-joint is loose.
Anybody have this "normal" rear end clunk?
:rolleyes:
Anybody have this "normal" rear end clunk?
:rolleyes:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge GA
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (LarryC)
Something is loose down under. Mine makes a bumping type noise when rolling over moderate bumps. I'm fairly confident the suspension cradle is in need of a torque wrench tune up. The sway bar can also make this type of noise, remove the clamps lube with lubriplate and reassemble/retorque.
Could also be mufflers/exhaust
good luck
Could also be mufflers/exhaust
good luck
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (LarryC)
Larry,
There are three things that I know of.
1. Loose wheel, lug nuts not torqued to 90/100 ft lbs. I've had to clean the back of the wheel and the rotor where the wheel interfaces with the rotor with a wire brush.
2. Loose nut behind the wheel, Behind the rear wheel is a 1" plus
nut that holds the hub to the half shafts. There is a faq somewhere
telling you to remove the nut and spray the splines with WD40 and
retighten to a specific torque spec.
3. Loose bolts for the rear sway bar. The lower ones have worked loose
for me after I put on my Corsa's. This is most likely your culprit.
I hope this helps you and maybe you could let us know what you find.
:flag
There are three things that I know of.
1. Loose wheel, lug nuts not torqued to 90/100 ft lbs. I've had to clean the back of the wheel and the rotor where the wheel interfaces with the rotor with a wire brush.
2. Loose nut behind the wheel, Behind the rear wheel is a 1" plus
nut that holds the hub to the half shafts. There is a faq somewhere
telling you to remove the nut and spray the splines with WD40 and
retighten to a specific torque spec.
3. Loose bolts for the rear sway bar. The lower ones have worked loose
for me after I put on my Corsa's. This is most likely your culprit.
I hope this helps you and maybe you could let us know what you find.
:flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 3
From: Gilbert, AZ, USA
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (tv7son)
2. Loose nut behind the wheel, Behind the rear wheel is a 1" plus
nut that holds the hub to the half shafts. There is a faq somewhere
telling you to remove the nut and spray the splines with WD40 and
retighten to a specific torque spec.
nut that holds the hub to the half shafts. There is a faq somewhere
telling you to remove the nut and spray the splines with WD40 and
retighten to a specific torque spec.
Sam
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MD
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (CP)
Yes it is. Not that bad of a job just make sure you clean the rust completely. This is a real problem if you live in the Northern States or near the ocean. Affects C4's and C5's. Gives you a real loud "Snap" when dropped in gear commonly misdiagnosed as bad U-joints.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (LarryC)
Thanks a whole lot for all the good advice, especially from pewterhdtop who actually had the dealer fix his "clunk" !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've got another appointment tomorrow and I printed out all the Corvetteforum threads on this problem to give to them. They SHOULD be able to fix it then.
Larry :steering:
I've got another appointment tomorrow and I printed out all the Corvetteforum threads on this problem to give to them. They SHOULD be able to fix it then.
Larry :steering:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
From: Livermore CA
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (LarryC)
Hope it works out for you!! The dealer covered mine under my GMPP, it took a little bit of creativity, more than likely, but they covered the work at 100%. Now that I know what to do, I can fix this myself should it happen again! :steering:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,161
Likes: 5
From: Richmond VA
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (LarryC)
Does it happen when you go around corners at very low speeds also. I had a similar problem on my 2000 FRC. When I would put it in first and let out the clutch, sometimes it would make a clunking sounds (drove me crazy).
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (Mehfoud)
It happens when you go into gear from a stop, unless you are in "performance"
mode; and also when you let out the clutch, or even when you just apply some gas or back off at slow speed. I have not noticed any relationship with cornering. Also, it got a little better after my first trip to the dealer when they, as one poster suggested, adjusted the suspension cradle. :skep:
mode; and also when you let out the clutch, or even when you just apply some gas or back off at slow speed. I have not noticed any relationship with cornering. Also, it got a little better after my first trip to the dealer when they, as one poster suggested, adjusted the suspension cradle. :skep:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,161
Likes: 5
From: Richmond VA
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (LarryC)
Hmm...not to sure if it was the same problem I had. Mine was related to the parking brake shoe. Something had come apart and essentially the parking brake would stick on for a slight second (hence the clunk) then disengage when I started moving. Dealer first thought I needed a new rear rotor and replaced it, problem still was there. Friend told me it might be the rear parking brake shoe (not to sure on the extact terminology).
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
Likes: 0
From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (LarryC)
C5's don't have U joints. Have the nuts on the end links on the front sway bars torqued, that should do it.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MD
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (wallstAL)
Should have clarified that, on C4's it is misdiagnosed but the C5's do the exact same thing because the problem is in the rust buildup between the splines of the rear hub bearing and the axle shaft itself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,516
Likes: 4,840
From: One Hour From Boston!
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (bowtiebandit)
I did not have this problem with my '92.
I did have it with my '95. It was rust in the splines.
I do not have it (yet) on my '02.
I did have it with my '95. It was rust in the splines.
I do not have it (yet) on my '02.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 0
From: Addison IL
Re: Rear end "clunk" when starting off (LarryC)
I would suggest asking to "test" drive a NEW coupe. When you get in and put it in gear and it dooesn't clunk, get the service writer to sit in car. Tell him this is how yours used to be. If it is normal, where is the clunk on the new one?
The 98 I sold last week didn't clunk, nor does my 03 Vert.
Me thinks you have a case of BS from the dealer.
By the way, at your age (Bio) how can you hear anyway??
[Modified by Stilcrazee, 9:15 AM 5/11/2003]
The 98 I sold last week didn't clunk, nor does my 03 Vert.
Me thinks you have a case of BS from the dealer.
By the way, at your age (Bio) how can you hear anyway??
[Modified by Stilcrazee, 9:15 AM 5/11/2003]
