I have a 2017 Z06 with about 44k miles. I hear a clicking noise whenever I go an uneven surface on the passenger rear side. It used to be very faint but the other day, I hit a bad pothole (Chicago roads!) and the noise has gotten way worse. It was rattling pretty bad even on a road that was just paved and is smooth. I let the car sit a few days and the noise is still noticeably there, but it doesn't rattle - just clicking on an uneven surface. The noise sounds like it's coming from the brakes/wheel area. I switched the rear wheels thinking it may be a wheel issue, but the noise is still there.
In the past year, I've replaced the rear shock (torqued to spec), sway bar bushings and end rod links, brake pads, and new anti rattle clips. I also cleaned the hub and back of the rim thinking the wheel wasn't sitting properly on the hub. I also torque the lug nuts to spec every time I remove and put the wheels back on.

Could this be a bad cv joint? A bad wheel bearing? I don't feel any movement if I wiggle the wheel or hear a humming noise when the wheel spins.

Any ideas before I take it to the dealership to help diagnose? Thanks in advance!

 

Loose wheel drive shaft nut?

 

I had a rattle in a suspension, very hard to find. I jacked the car up, then compressed the suspension to it's normal ride height, then started moving things. With the suspension hanging down when it's on a lift everything gets tight.

 

What did the problem end up being?

 

Sorry, this was on a different car. The technique should still work on the C7. Check the control links if it clicks when the suspension moves up & down.
Looking at the toe link on the rear, the inboard mounting hole is oblong so it can be adjusted. It is possible the nut is lose and moving in and out.
There are two links that could be lose. The small sway bar link and the long control link.
Have you done anything with the exhaust? The X-pipe can bump against the metal reinforcement.

 

Could it possibly be the tires themselves? I had the originals on my '14 and I'd get a clicking from the drivers front wheel. Sounded like I had a rock in the tire. When I got my new tires that noise went away. Just throwing that out there as a possibility. Not sure if you bent a rim hitting the pothole and whether that could cause the noise?

 

Maybe also check for chatter from the brake pads. Using brake pad silencer in the back of the pads can help with that, if that is the case.

 

I switched the rear wheels around for the same reason but sound is still there.

 

Yep, that was one of the first things i did. They are on there snug

 

Is it rotational or just a rattle over bumpy stuff?

 

Just over bumpy stuff

 

I’m a bit confused. You indicate it only occurs while in motion, but just over a bumpy surface. But earlier said it’s also over a smooth surface? Will take a wild guess. Maybe something other than a wheel, brake or suspension component? Perhaps a baffle or something inside the muffler on that side?

 

let me explain. Prior to hitting the pothole, I could hear something over bumpy stuff - not super loud but noticeable and annoying. After hitting the pothole, it rattled all the way home pretty loud - smooth and bumpy. I attached a video. Hope it works.

I let the car sit a few days and now it really only does it when I go over a bump.

My garage sits about an inch or two higher than the driveway. Listen to video of me driving into the garage. It's like a clicking sound and I believe this is what I am hearing when I am driving except it is amplified as it is constantly bumpy.

 

that sounds like an end link to me. on my c6 had the same noise when the end links went bad.

 

I'm just going to throw this out there because I have a similar issue and was driving me nuts. But mine is the front and narrowed it down to the brake backing/ brake shield plate. ONLY hear it hitting a bump on the road.
Stuck my hand behind and as I was pulling my hand out , I heard it. ...the brake shield / backing plate.

As you hit a bump the shield or backing plate, the botton corner hits SOMETHING which I haven't jacked up the car yet. It's a " light" metallic sound , not a thud, not part of suspension.

 

I just replaced them a few weeks ago. Maybe the one I bought is still bad? I will try removing them and seeing if that changes anything

 

It does sound like it's something rotational. The Axle assembly? Have they ever been removed? Jack the rear up, in neutral, spin the wheels.
It would also help, with the car raised off the ground, then compress the suspension to ride height when spinning the wheel.

 

Are they a greaseable type? did you grease them? Are they adjustable? did you lock down the adjustment nut?

 

Alrighty, I've found the issue. My rim got beat pretty bad and is bent (hope it can be fixed). This was likely causing the rattling and shaking on the wheel.
And the noise was coming from the top nuts on the sway bar end links being loose! I had replaced these and went to check them again and there it was, a slightly loose nut that was causing the clunk noise over bumps.

 

Congratulations on finding the cause. Has to be a relief learning what the problem was. Good luck with your bent wheel. And a big THANK YOU for keeping us updated!