Are there any ZO6 Owners that Do Not have a Noisy Clutch/Tranny.

[bitmunger]

Is there any ZO6 Owners that Do Not have a Noisy Clutch/Tranny.

Is there any '03 ZO6 Owners that Do Not have a Noisy Clutch/Tranny. My '03 ZO6 has a Noisy Tranny. It sounds like there is extreme wear, it sounds and feels "sloppy" and makes more noise than any other car I've drove (except old worn out cars). Additionally, when I put my car in neutral, like at a stop lite, the car sounds like an old washing machine. The intensity of the noise varies and sounds like a clicking. I've had it in to the Dealer 2X and I am told this normal for the breed. However, before purchasing my current ride I test drove 2 other C5 ZO6 and did not experience the problem. Therefore, if there are other '03 ZO6 Owners that are not experiencing these problems; I need to hear from you! Please take a minute of your time and take this poll. I plan on taking a tough stance and pursue recourse if I do not get satisfaction.

 

[rwd]

Unfortunately, most of the noises you speak of are associated with the design of the drivetrain, and, to a lesser extent, all manual transmissions. Even manual C4's make similar noises.

Some typical noises sound like marbles in a can or a bad throwout bearing. Depending upon how you release the clutch, the whole line will shudder, but that's true of most manuals.

Some cars are quieter than others. Mine is quiet, but that just makes up for the noisy C4 I used to have.

It's also true that while the noises are not necessarily indicative of problems, they are similar to or can mask other sounds that may be, so you are correct to pursue it and compare your car to others. Basically, the cars vary, and quiet ones may be the exception.

If you haven't tried additional dealers, you might do that. Dealer perceptions and experiences vary just like those of owners.

 

[EHS]

Re: Is there any ZO6 Owners that Do Not have a Noisy Clutch/Tranny.

I plan on taking a tough stance and pursue recourse if I do not get satisfaction.

The C5 has a "noisy" transmission and clutch. That's the sound of high performance -- listen to some of the "noises" made by transmissions and clutches in cars like the Porsche 917/956 some time.

I believe your car came with a 36 month/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, which includes fit and finish rattles, but I don't know if the kind of normal "noises" you refer to are covered.

When you pursue your recourse for satisfaction, you will need to be able to make a distinction between quality and assembly problems, and normal "noises," like, for example, the sound of the engine when it's on.

I would suggest buying some (perhaps three or four) small battery operated cassette tape recorders at Radio Shack, taping them in various areas of the car, and then driving around to record the "noises" so you can use them when pursuing recourse later on. If you tape any to the underside of the car, be sure to wrap them in plastic, to protect them from road debris and getting wet. You may need to leave an opening where the microphone is located, to get the best sound pickup.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[solares]

When I got my new Vette it did not make any of the rattling sounds. When I saw the VHS tape, they mentioned something about a sound and I had no idea what they were talking about. Then after putting about 350 gentle miles on my car I started to hear the rattling sound while in idle and gentle accelerations. What is weird is why didn't it make the sounds when it was brand new, and now it does after putting about 400 miles on it?

Well, lets see what other users have to say about this..

 

[vette warehouse]

Noises noises!!!

Hi
I am replying to your post regarding the rattling sounds in your Z06.
I am a Corvette dealer. I have been buying and selling Vettes for the past 6 years. I drive a different vette nearly every day, therefore I can relate to the sounds.
MY advice to you: Forget about it.
These are Normal!!! All vettes (6 Speed) make some sort of a "marbles in a can" sounds and all the other sounds which you brought up. Once again - it is normal - so just enjoy your car.
The Z06 is a great machine - in a basement bargain price.
PS - The other day I reaced a Yamaha 1000 in the light - smoked the fly by a car length - feels great - guys mouth was wise open.

 

[smook]

All throat here!

No rattles or noise , other than the ROAAAAAAAAAR!


btw drive with my radio off. (since buying the Z06!)

Bill.

hehe.

ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!

 

[Rob]

Bah - you guys should take a ride in a 1989 Corvette equipped with the ZF6 manual transmission. If you want to hear clutch/tranny noise...in neutral at idle it sounds like you're standing next to a cement truck.

As retired Corvette Chief Engineer, Dave McLellan once said: "we equipped your Corvettes with a racing transmission as well as one of the best stereo systems on the market. If you don't like the noise - turn up the stereo."

 

[FLYNLO]

I do know the noise you speak of. I have owned only manual trannys all my life(except one A4 vette), and every single one of them has made this noise to some extent. Most of them Toyotas. Anyway, if you have been driving Autos for most of your life, these noises may not be that familiar. But I have never noticed mine until people bring it up and I listen for them. Yep they are there....it is the nature of the car. If you just hammer the throttle, you won't hear it.

 

[Tuna]

With my bad ears, I can't hear the noises much so I don't notice them - hardly.

I can't wait for the sequential gear box - talk about noises! I'll need a louder stereo!!!

 

[Hib Halverson]

Bah - you guys should take a ride in a 1989 Corvette equipped with the ZF6 manual transmission. If you want to hear clutch/tranny noise...in neutral at idle it sounds like you're standing next to a cement truck.

(giggle)
Heck, you haven't heard gear rattle until you take an early ZF and run it with a standard flywheel.

Seriously, I've driven many C5 manual since 1997 and have never experienced grear rattle from the T56 anywhere near like that from ZFs. In fact, I rearely hear gear rattle from T56s except for when the lubricant gets pretty hot and I'm stopped with the engine idling and the window down. Even then, it's not very loud.

What I have noticed is a slight, short-duration "clutch rattle" as I let-out the clutch slowly and pull away from a stop easily.

 

[GusVette]

What I have noticed is a slight, short-duration "clutch rattle" as I let-out the clutch slowly and pull away from a stop easily. [/B]

DITTO!!!

But you know what? "I DON'T CARE, BECAUSE I LOVE THIS CAR"
gUS

 

[Zippy]

I've had 4 6-speed C5's and none had clutch or tranny noise.

 

[DRTH VTR]

Mine does exactly what other people have described. It is the loudest to my ears when I am stopped, in neutral, with the clutch out. When I depress the clutch pedal, the sound is greatly attenuated. I didn't hear it for a while, as I play the cd player most of the time. Now that I have identified the sound, it is more pronounced to my ear.

I have to remember that I bought a Corvette, not a Lexus. I will take the noise if it means that my car is nasty. While Corvettes are beautiful, their main purpose is performance.

 

[67HEAVEN]

As retired Corvette Chief Engineer, Dave McLellan once said: "we equipped your Corvettes with a racing transmission as well as one of the best stereo systems on the market. If you don't like the noise - turn up the stereo."

Turn up the stereo??????

 

[tedster]

I have an 02 Z06 with 50,000 street/track/autox miles. Always made all sorts of rear end howling sounds, but no gear rattle. I also experience the clutch noises reference by Hib. A friend had an 02 that made the same noises. He traded for an 03 (for a smaller monthly payment...3 cheers for 0% financing!) with a much quieter rear end.

Since GM removed much of the sound insulation to reduce weight, you now have the equivalent of an organ pipe aiming from the rear of the car to your ears. I don't really care about the sounds....(after 10yrs/200,000 mi in a 90 ragtop, THIS IS QUIET!) I either push harder on the go-pedal or turn up the stereo.

But if it bothers you, try getting one of those carpeted dividers that separate the trunk area from the passenger compartment. Not only does it prevent gazers from seeing what's in your trunk, it DOES deaden some of those sounds. It's easily installed/removed for trips to the track!

Tedster

 

[steve1173]

Hi
I am replying to your post regarding the rattling sounds in your Z06.
I am a Corvette dealer. I have been buying and selling Vettes for the past 6 years. I drive a different vette nearly every day, therefore I can relate to the sounds.
MY advice to you: Forget about it.
These are Normal!!! All vettes (6 Speed) make some sort of a "marbles in a can" sounds and all the other sounds which you brought up. Once again - it is normal - so just enjoy your car.
The Z06 is a great machine - in a basement bargain price.
PS - The other day I reaced a Yamaha 1000 in the light - smoked the fly by a car length - feels great - guys mouth was wise open.

I just got a 04 Z06. As soon as I start the car & the motor starts with the clutch still depressed there is a short shreiking sound for about a second or less I guess after the starter disengages. Is this normal??

 

[Patrick]

My Z06 has 13,000 miles on it, and I have to say that I have never noticed a noise I considered "abnormal." Then again, it also has a Borla exhaust, so even the stereo Rob has advised I turn up seems muted by comparison.

-Patrick

 

[jack volkert]

tranny and clutch noise

Mine is quiet and shifts smooth, unlike my 2 96 GS's, the ZF in both were terrible. I have nothing but praise for the combo in my Z06.

 

[ultra12]

My 2003 Z if you leave in neutral and shot it off will rattle. Othen than that its fine. I just leave in gear with clutch in and shut her down and no noise.

Chuck

BTW : I have 1780 miles on her

 

[Roadfrog]

Dunno

Actually, I may not know. It has B&B Bullets.....