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C6 Clicking Noise

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Old 09-18-2017, 08:52 PM
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Default C6 Clicking Noise

I've searched prior threads and posts, and I can't find anything on this issue.

Summary: My 2012 base coupe A6 makes a single click-type sound when gently decelerating and sometimes when gently accelerating, always at very low speeds.

Specific example scenario: See red light ahead, gently brake, and almost always hear distinct click as car speed drops to about 5 mph.

Sometimes also hear click when gently accelerating at low speed, especially if acceleration follows deceleration.

Car has 25,xxx miles and didn't do this prior to Aprox. 15,000 miles. Sounds like click comes from front but can't be sure. Possible that click is there at higher speed or deceleration/acceleration, and I just can't hear it. Initially suspected looseness in calipers, but some things seem inconsistent with this. Symptoms seem more consistent with "play" somewhere in drivetrain.

Thanks for reading and especially thanks for responding with suggestions.

Last edited by 235265283...; 09-18-2017 at 08:53 PM.
Old 09-18-2017, 09:16 PM
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Oh Boy
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Maybe a bad cv/axle in the rear? Check boots in rear to see if any tears and leakage of grease. Although axles usually make that click on front wheel drive cars when turning but you can still rule this out.
Old 09-18-2017, 10:04 PM
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extrapilot
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The axle nuts have been know to loosen and creates a clicking noise. There is a TBS out there for this symptom.
Here's just one discussion on the subject. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ear-wheel.html
Old 09-19-2017, 08:33 AM
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Probably not your issue but I can hear the brake relay click on mine occasionally.
Old 09-19-2017, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by FortMorganAl
Probably not your issue but I can hear the brake relay click on mine occasionally.
Mine has done this since new, and it's pretty loud. Always wondered if a new/different relay might be quieter.
Old 09-19-2017, 05:53 PM
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Boomer111
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Loose axle nuts is a common issue, usually better heard at take off.

Remember the nut is a "once tighten item". In other words if loose a new replacement nut is needed as well as a 24 hour cure time for the Loctit.

Last edited by Boomer111; 09-19-2017 at 05:54 PM.
Old 09-20-2017, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Evan70
Mine has done this since new, and it's pretty loud. Always wondered if a new/different relay might be quieter.
I believe it could. It is a standard inexpensive mechanical item and since only some people report hearing it, it is probably just a manufacturing tolerance.
Old 09-27-2017, 04:50 PM
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Thanks to all who responded to my original click noise post.

For your amusement: While getting an oil change at the Chevrolet dealer yesterday, I asked them to diagnose what this is and possibly fix it. The service writer drove car for one minute it in the lot and definitely heard it.

When I picked the car up, my invoice had a copy of GM Corporate Bulletin 99-04-20-002J attached. This bulletin, which applies to all GM vehicles, basically says: Customers may complain of clunk noise. Tell them this is just due to the normal buildup of freeplay between driveline components.
Old 09-27-2017, 04:55 PM
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Haha, now that's a funny diagnosis. GM dealer I presume?
Old 09-27-2017, 06:05 PM
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My 2013 Base Coupe exhibits the same clicking sound most noticeable at low speed acceleration. It will click once, then if I let off the pedal it will click again. I've had the wheel off numerous times and can't find anything wrong. The axle nut has a keeper on it that must be removed, so I'll have to buy a new keeper and nut AND the correct size socket to see if that is the problem. Only 6k miles and it just started happening within the last 1k.

Last edited by Exact1; 09-27-2017 at 06:05 PM.
Old 09-27-2017, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Exact1
My 2013 Base Coupe exhibits the same clicking sound most noticeable at low speed acceleration. It will click once, then if I let off the pedal it will click again. I've had the wheel off numerous times and can't find anything wrong. The axle nut has a keeper on it that must be removed, so I'll have to buy a new keeper and nut AND the correct size socket to see if that is the problem. Only 6k miles and it just started happening within the last 1k.
Your symptoms are the same as mine. I asked the dealer service writer who heard the click (see my prior post) if it might be the axel nut. He said no, that problem makes a different sound. But I'm not very confident of the service writer's diagnostic expertise, so please let me know what you find if check and replace the axel nut(s).
Old 09-29-2017, 01:15 PM
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Note that another thread:

"Clicking from drive train when accelerating and decelerating"

was recently added on exactly this same issue.
Old 10-12-2017, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 235265283...
Your symptoms are the same as mine. I asked the dealer service writer who heard the click (see my prior post) if it might be the axel nut. He said no, that problem makes a different sound. But I'm not very confident of the service writer's diagnostic expertise, so please let me know what you find if check and replace the axel nut(s).
After much research, I was pretty sure it might be the end links. I had removed them when I changed from stock to Z51 sway bars. I went ahead and purchased new Moog end links and changed them today. I still had the click. One thing that I did notice is that the Bilstein HD shocks that I installed have a large metal washer under the blue boot. I can make this clink by grabbing it. I called Bilstein and spoke with their technical support. The washer is used as a bump stop and should be free floating which it is. So, I think that this is the cause of my click.
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Old 10-12-2017, 08:26 PM
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Mine has the same clicking even after doing the axle nuts, will it do any damage? Still makes the sound like the axle nuts were loose.
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Old 10-12-2017, 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Exact1
After much research, I was pretty sure it might be the end links. I had removed them when I changed from stock to Z51 sway bars. I went ahead and purchased new Moog end links and changed them today. I still had the click. One thing that I did notice is that the Bilstein HD shocks that I installed have a large metal washer under the blue boot. I can make this clink by grabbing it. I called Bilstein and spoke with their technical support. The washer is used as a bump stop and should be free floating which it is. So, I think that this is the cause of my click.
My 2011 GS with 12700 miles has the same click sounds that you describe but it is all stock . Seems like maybe a drive train thing. ?

I'm not gonna worry about it.

People that claim their Corvette doesn't make any weird sounds have never driven a "normal" quiet car.

Last edited by Cuckoo; 10-12-2017 at 10:50 PM.
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Old 10-12-2017, 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Cuckoo
My 2011 GS with 12700 miles has the same click sounds that you describe but it is all stock . So ? Seems like a drive train thing. ?

I'm not gonna worry about it.
My click could be drivetrain as well. I've done just about all I can do to debug the problem, so I'm just going to drive it as well.😎
Old 10-13-2017, 12:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Exact1
My click could be drivetrain as well. I've done just about all I can do to debug the problem, so I'm just going to drive it as well.😎
Exact1, Mad*Max, and Cuckoo: thanks for your posts.

I too think the click sound has to be associated with drivetrain slack somewhere. And I too am just going to drive it. If it gets worse, at least that may make it easer to diagnose.

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Old 10-13-2017, 09:32 AM
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I must admit that my loose nuts didn't click on deceleration just acceleration. The end links at bumps. I have no slop in t[drive train with manual and 4;10 diff at 41,000 miles.
Old 10-13-2017, 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Exact1
My click could be drivetrain as well. I've done just about all I can do to debug the problem, so I'm just going to drive it as well.😎
Originally Posted by 235265283...
Exact1, Mad*Max, and Cuckoo: thanks for your posts.

I too think the click sound has to be associated with drivetrain slack somewhere. And I too am just going to drive it. If it gets worse, at least that may make it easer to diagnose.
I am at 80,000 miles so things might have loosened up a bit - I am just going to drive it and hopefully nothing falls out!
Old 10-13-2017, 10:16 AM
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Mine definitely does not have any "clunk" to it , just a "click" type sound like with the brake pedal click only more noticeable.


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