Corvette goes "clunk" in the night (and day)

[Lahodny]

Bought my first corvette about a month ago from CarMax. It is a 1995 Torch Red Coupe. It has approx. 60K miles. Within the first few days, it started making a "clunk" when I would take my foot off the gas and then accelerate. It did so more when going around a corner.

CarMax replaced all the u-joints (under warrenty), but it still went "clunk" in the night (and day). After several trips back to CarMax (and after being farmed out to Aamco and a suspension shop) they found that a "bar connecting the tranny and rear end had bolts that were very loose."

Does this diagnosis make sense to you? It would appear to account for the symptoms (including a "rubbing" noise when cornering). Fortunately, it is all still covered by their 30 day warranty (they also had to replace the power attenae, battery, and starter).

--Larry in Las Vegas driving a loaner Ford Taurus

 

[Daryllawman]

Yes loose bolts on the drive train anywhere could produce those sounds.......

 

[vader86]

Does make sense, if they replaced the U-joint with the correct part.

 

[RedRagTop]

What bar was that? Did tightening the bolts cure the problem?

 

[vettedoc]

I have a similar problem. Thanks for the help. At least I will know where to look.

 

[Lahodny]

I don't have the car back yet (today they say). Not sure what bar. All information is fourth-hand (suspension shop talking to Aamco who is talking to CarMax service writer who then calls me). I hope this fix cures it.

--Larry in Las Vegas (still driving a loaner Ford Taurus with 16,000 miles and which seems to be losing its transmission)

 

[compyelc4]

I have an identical problem. Started at 12,000 miles. Now have 22,000 miles; no better, no worse. Let us know if it is cured and...... please find out the name of that "bar" for us.

 

[Lahodny]

Sorry gang. They were NOT able to fix the "clunk." They did fix the tranny making funny noises by tightening a traction bar which connects the tranny to the rear axle, but it still makes a "clunk" when accelerating after taking you foot off the gas. Will try again. Am neary convinced it is in the rear axle. If anyone else finds the "fix" please let us all know!!!

--Larry in Las Vegas (finally driving his corvette again)

;help

 

[vms4evr]

Larry,

The part that connects the tranny to the rear axle is called the driveline support beam. It's a long C beam that runs alongside of the driveshaft. When they did the ujoints they probably pulled it and then didn't torque it back down. That part truly ties the front of the car to the back. It is part of the 'framing' of the car.

Now if they already did your ujoints and everything has been tightened down then in my experience the next thing that I would suspect is rear wheel bearings. I've had those replaced before on an 84 with 110K on it. The typical indicator is that when you turn a corner and then start to accelerate you hear a clunk. Then it's gone until you turn again. You can get it starting from a standstill and going in a straight line. But it is more prominent coming out of a corner and accelerating. They should also check the ujoints on the half-shafts if they only did the ones on the driveshaft.

Graham

 

[compyelc4]

At least I know it is probably not my u-joints.

Curious! So they guessed and replaced your u-joints? What would you have done if you had actually paid for the u-joint guess-work? Anyone else out there had this experience. How did you handle? Make them put the replaced major part/s back in at no charge, except for trouble-guessing time?

 

[Lahodny]

Graham,

Many thanks for the info. They supposedly checked the wheel bearings, but yes, it is most obvious when turning. It happens sometimes when going in a straight line. They did the U-Joints, but don't know for sure if they did the half-shafts. Will tell the good folks at CarMax what you said. Thanks again.

--Larry in Las Vegas

;worship