Front End Clunk Noise
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Santa Ana, California
Front End Clunk Noise
Hello guys!
A little background, I bought a salvaged corvette from my buddy. He was heading to Vegas and one of his oil lines burst which made him slide off onto the dirt road which pulled out his front lower radiator support, and the rear slammed onto the divider. Fast forward to today, and I've been driving it on the weekends with almost no issues. I usually had the exhaust open so it would be loud, but one day I had them closed and noticed some type of clunking noise in the front.
The noise is most noticeable when reversing, when turning the tires all the way to one side, and over dips. I hear it on the passenger side, but at times it sounds like on the driver side. I know noises can travel from one side to the other.
I have checked ball joints, any wheel play, sway bar links were replaced, sway bar removed and noise stayed. I have C7 z06 wheels on there, but swapped over my C6 z06 wheels and no change.
Here is a video of the passenger side suspension components, at 43 seconds you can see when it makes the clunk noise, the tag on the wheel speed sensor vibrates with the noise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oUq...ature=youtu.be
A little background, I bought a salvaged corvette from my buddy. He was heading to Vegas and one of his oil lines burst which made him slide off onto the dirt road which pulled out his front lower radiator support, and the rear slammed onto the divider. Fast forward to today, and I've been driving it on the weekends with almost no issues. I usually had the exhaust open so it would be loud, but one day I had them closed and noticed some type of clunking noise in the front.
The noise is most noticeable when reversing, when turning the tires all the way to one side, and over dips. I hear it on the passenger side, but at times it sounds like on the driver side. I know noises can travel from one side to the other.
I have checked ball joints, any wheel play, sway bar links were replaced, sway bar removed and noise stayed. I have C7 z06 wheels on there, but swapped over my C6 z06 wheels and no change.
Here is a video of the passenger side suspension components, at 43 seconds you can see when it makes the clunk noise, the tag on the wheel speed sensor vibrates with the noise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oUq...ature=youtu.be
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 37
The sound seems to be related to any movement to the rotation of the tire, however slight. Thus, I suspect either issues with brake and/or rotor. Or wheel bearings. Can't imagine that it's anything else. Please keep us all posted. One of the most annoying things in life is when someone has an interesting problem that they post on the forum, and then never follow up and post when they find the issue. Leaving inquiring forum members hanging....lol. Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 498
Likes: 211
From: Wisconsin
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had this issue when I bought my 20013 grand sport. It turn out to be old hard runflat tires. I replaced the tires and the noise is gone. I believe it is caused by a combination of a stiff low profile tire and the way the corvette suspension uses the Akerman principle to improve cornering
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 443
From: Boca Raton Florida
Originally Posted by carney714
I will diffidently keep you posted. And it is rotational noise. Even though when I rotate the tire, i hear no noise, it might a issue when load is applied.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,013
Likes: 726
Hello guys!
A little background, I bought a salvaged corvette from my buddy. He was heading to Vegas and one of his oil lines burst which made him slide off onto the dirt road which pulled out his front lower radiator support, and the rear slammed onto the divider. Fast forward to today, and I've been driving it on the weekends with almost no issues. I usually had the exhaust open so it would be loud, but one day I had them closed and noticed some type of clunking noise in the front.
The noise is most noticeable when reversing, when turning the tires all the way to one side, and over dips. I hear it on the passenger side, but at times it sounds like on the driver side. I know noises can travel from one side to the other.
I have checked ball joints, any wheel play, sway bar links were replaced, sway bar removed and noise stayed. I have C7 z06 wheels on there, but swapped over my C6 z06 wheels and no change.
Here is a video of the passenger side suspension components, at 43 seconds you can see when it makes the clunk noise, the tag on the wheel speed sensor vibrates with the noise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oUq...ature=youtu.be
A little background, I bought a salvaged corvette from my buddy. He was heading to Vegas and one of his oil lines burst which made him slide off onto the dirt road which pulled out his front lower radiator support, and the rear slammed onto the divider. Fast forward to today, and I've been driving it on the weekends with almost no issues. I usually had the exhaust open so it would be loud, but one day I had them closed and noticed some type of clunking noise in the front.
The noise is most noticeable when reversing, when turning the tires all the way to one side, and over dips. I hear it on the passenger side, but at times it sounds like on the driver side. I know noises can travel from one side to the other.
I have checked ball joints, any wheel play, sway bar links were replaced, sway bar removed and noise stayed. I have C7 z06 wheels on there, but swapped over my C6 z06 wheels and no change.
Here is a video of the passenger side suspension components, at 43 seconds you can see when it makes the clunk noise, the tag on the wheel speed sensor vibrates with the noise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oUq...ature=youtu.be
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Santa Ana, California
I removed the sway bar and did the same test, same noise.
Lifted the car and rotated the wheels for any play and nothing.
Replaced Front wheels with OEM wheels i had and same noise.
Its louder when making a turn, and at times over dips. But not when going straight.
Wheel bearing? No play or noise (removed it and checked it out) but since its more noticeable when the tires are rotating?
Lifted the car and rotated the wheels for any play and nothing.
Replaced Front wheels with OEM wheels i had and same noise.
Its louder when making a turn, and at times over dips. But not when going straight.
Wheel bearing? No play or noise (removed it and checked it out) but since its more noticeable when the tires are rotating?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,013
Likes: 726
I removed the sway bar and did the same test, same noise.
Lifted the car and rotated the wheels for any play and nothing.
Replaced Front wheels with OEM wheels i had and same noise.
Its louder when making a turn, and at times over dips. But not when going straight.
Wheel bearing? No play or noise (removed it and checked it out) but since its more noticeable when the tires are rotating?
Lifted the car and rotated the wheels for any play and nothing.
Replaced Front wheels with OEM wheels i had and same noise.
Its louder when making a turn, and at times over dips. But not when going straight.
Wheel bearing? No play or noise (removed it and checked it out) but since its more noticeable when the tires are rotating?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 154
From: Somewhere Near Bakersfield California
I removed the sway bar and did the same test, same noise.
Lifted the car and rotated the wheels for any play and nothing.
Replaced Front wheels with OEM wheels i had and same noise.
Its louder when making a turn, and at times over dips. But not when going straight.
Wheel bearing? No play or noise (removed it and checked it out) but since its more noticeable when the tires are rotating?
Lifted the car and rotated the wheels for any play and nothing.
Replaced Front wheels with OEM wheels i had and same noise.
Its louder when making a turn, and at times over dips. But not when going straight.
Wheel bearing? No play or noise (removed it and checked it out) but since its more noticeable when the tires are rotating?
worst case, maybe your whole steering rack.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 154
From: Somewhere Near Bakersfield California
not sure if it is a common issue but when I replaced my harmobalancer with one that ill never have to replace again. I had to remove steering rack. When I put it all back it did everything you mentioned... then I tightened everything up and all is well.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Santa Ana, California
Hey guys!
Today I switched out my wheel bearing and a outer tie rod on the opposite side (boot was a cut).
The clunking went away! It was the wheeling bearing (a mechanic where I work also suspected wheel bearing).
I have a squeaking noise but I think thats bushings which is a different issue which will eventually get addressed.
So I have a second post about this ( made it under the wrong discussion but couldnt delete it)
Ill include it so if someone else has an issue they can read both
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...unk-noise.html
Today I switched out my wheel bearing and a outer tie rod on the opposite side (boot was a cut).
The clunking went away! It was the wheeling bearing (a mechanic where I work also suspected wheel bearing).
I have a squeaking noise but I think thats bushings which is a different issue which will eventually get addressed.
So I have a second post about this ( made it under the wrong discussion but couldnt delete it)
Ill include it so if someone else has an issue they can read both
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...unk-noise.html