Since new my 09 seems to me to have too much play in the drive train that causes a "clunk" as I shift, especially into 2nd and 3rd, if I don't get the RPMs exactly right as I let out the clutch.

Is this common or not?

Cruising at 30 or 40 mph in third and letting off the gas and back on will cause the same "clunk." The clunk is not huge but it's there and makes me wonder if some drive train component has to much play in it.

 

sounds wrong to me. I know my '08 doesn't make any sounds like that, nor probably did your prior car.

 

You're right, my 05 didn't do this.

 

in the 'old days' that used to almost always trace to/signify universal joints. today, in these cars, it could be one or more of several things.

 

My '08 has done it since day one. Dealer says they can't duplicate it or even if they do/can they say it isn't a problem. Wish I would have noticed it before leaving Bowling Green! At that point I was still trying to figure out how to drive the car.

 

Check the torque on your rear axle nuts. My right one was loose. Put 140 ft-lbs on it and clunk went away. Just ordered two new nuts and loctite because after a year or so it's coming back ever so slightly. Gonna do it right this time.

Tapping or Scraping Noise From Rear Wheel Area (Replace Wheel Drive Shaft Nut) #07-04-95-001 - (09/26/2007)

Models: 2004-2008 Chevrolet Corvette and 2004-2008 Cadillac XLR
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition
Some customers may comment on a tapping or a scraping noise coming from the rear wheel area.

Cause
This condition may be due to the torque on the wheel drive shaft nut relaxing over time.

Correction
Replace the left and the right wheel drive shaft nut following the procedure below.

Remove the center cap from the rim.
Remove and discard the wheel drive shaft nut.
Apply LOCTITE™ 272, or equivalent, to the threads of the axle shaft.
Install the nut and tighten to the new specification.
Tighten
Tighten the nut to 215 N•m (160 lb ft).

Install the center cap to the rim.
Important: The vehicle should not be driven for 24 hours following the repair in order to allow the thread lock to cure.
Parts Information
Part Number.....10257766
Description......Nut
Qty................2 (one per side)

 

You may have rust accumulation between the axle and hub splines. I've had this happen on two C6's and a C4 that I owned. They made a click/clunk that sounded like exess grear lash. Be careful with the loctite if you get too much on the threads of the axle it will run back into the splines and eventually cause the same issue as the rust does.