Strange noise. Possible drivetrain problem?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 2
From: Goleta CA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Strange noise. Possible drivetrain problem?
I was discussing this with a friend today and he gave me a couple suggestions, although I don't think his ideas are consistent with all my observations. I want to know if any of you have experienced this or think you know what it might be. BTW, my car is an 05, manual trans, with Z51. Only mods are a tune, and exhaust (not headers). The only service the drivetrain components have had is fluid changes.
I have recently noticed a whine coming from the car while driving. At first I wasn't even sure if it was something new, but I started noticing it when coming to a stop. It has a whirring attribute to it, indicating it has a rotating source.
I only hear it when the drivetrain is under load. Engine and exhaust noise drown it out when accelerating, but I hear it a little when cruising, and hear it most when decelerating.
The pitch changes with road speed, independent of what gear is selected or engine speed. But in a lower gear (more load) it is louder. It seems to be most prevalent at about 45mph.
If I push the clutch pedal, it goes away immediately and completely.
When cruising it isn't constant. It comes and goes as the drivetrain alternates between load and coasting.
What do you guys think?
I have recently noticed a whine coming from the car while driving. At first I wasn't even sure if it was something new, but I started noticing it when coming to a stop. It has a whirring attribute to it, indicating it has a rotating source.
I only hear it when the drivetrain is under load. Engine and exhaust noise drown it out when accelerating, but I hear it a little when cruising, and hear it most when decelerating.
The pitch changes with road speed, independent of what gear is selected or engine speed. But in a lower gear (more load) it is louder. It seems to be most prevalent at about 45mph.
If I push the clutch pedal, it goes away immediately and completely.
When cruising it isn't constant. It comes and goes as the drivetrain alternates between load and coasting.
What do you guys think?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
That's tough to find. Water pump is one thought. But my thought could/would be it's more likely something in the drivetrain. Shafts, bearings, but you did say it's speed sensitive not rpm necessarily. hmmmm....
any possibility of one of those listening devices that you can snake into the engine compartment while running?
any possibility of one of those listening devices that you can snake into the engine compartment while running?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 2
From: Goleta CA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
No. Can I inspect it without dropping the torque tube?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land TX
Only dependent on wheel speed
This is my first Corvette but on other cars with manual transmissions this has almost always been an wheel bearing, differential bearing(s) or ring and pinion mesh especially if there is not make much difference when you are applying power or coasting (with or without the clutch applied).
If the sound meets all those conditions:
• Wheel speed
• With or without power
• With or without the clutch applied
That leaves things that always rotate at the same speed as the wheels:
• Wheel bearings
• Differential bearings
• Ring and pinion
• Transmission tail shaft bearing.
So I guess it could be any of those but I personally have never seen it be a transmission tail shaft bearing.
As suggested if you can get it safely off the ground and listen underneath you might be able to pin point a wheel bearing but differentiating between the transmission tail shaft bearing and the differential will be a lot harder because they are almost one unit.
Bummer! Let us know what you find out; we might all learn something!
If the sound meets all those conditions:
• Wheel speed
• With or without power
• With or without the clutch applied
That leaves things that always rotate at the same speed as the wheels:
• Wheel bearings
• Differential bearings
• Ring and pinion
• Transmission tail shaft bearing.
So I guess it could be any of those but I personally have never seen it be a transmission tail shaft bearing.
As suggested if you can get it safely off the ground and listen underneath you might be able to pin point a wheel bearing but differentiating between the transmission tail shaft bearing and the differential will be a lot harder because they are almost one unit.
Bummer! Let us know what you find out; we might all learn something!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 2
From: Goleta CA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran