From C4 to C6- Weird Scrubbing Noise

[compyelc4]

Hi y'all. I've been on the site for a few years now learning about and extolling the virtues of our first Vette, a '95 Comp Yellow C4. Can't stand to part with her but had to get an '07 Velocity Yellow Roadster. She has very low mileage at 7,800 and appears to be very well cared for. She has many GM Authorized aftermarket stuff so she's just about ready to show.

Now for my problem. The tire tread looks good although a little more tread is gone from the fronts than I would expect to see at such relatively low mileage. They appear to have even wear across the patter however. Upon slow right and left turns, going either forward or reverse, the tires sound and feel like they are scrubbing the pavement severely. The feel is almost like there's only 1 lug nut on each side; kind of a very slow wobbly feeling. What the heck could this be? Never has the C4 ever done this even when needing an alignment.

I got to know the previous owner very well. He seems like a very honest guy. He says the car has never been in an accident, has never traveled more than 40 miles at a time on the interstate but also it never had a realignment. From a very careful inspection of the frame and paint I believe him about no accidents. It is pristine all over.

At first I just thought it was the pretty aggressive F1's (I usually run Kumho summers) but a friend with a an '05 C6 says he has never experienced this problem although the inside of his front F1's were down to the belts by 15k! He says factory set the toe for max cornering while sacrificing tire wear.

Any ideas or similar complaints you've heard about what I'm hearing and feeling from my new baby?

Thanks in advance,

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

#1, the scrubbing noise is due to the clutch packs in your rear differential that are sticking. The fix is to change the fluid to DEXRON LS and drive it. After that you will be fine.

#2, the alignment specifications are such that the negative front camber will wear the tires on the inside edge. If you have ROUGH scallopped wear, then I would agree with the toe setting issue.

You can change your alignment to lengthen the life of your tires and wear evenly. You only down side is that at racetrack speeds, you may not have the immediate turn in response.

Allthebest, c4c5

 

[compyelc4]

c4c5specialist-

Thanks for your response. Clutch packs, hmmm, sound like what I had with the C4 once.

As for tire scalloping, no the front and rears are pretty smooth and straight all the way across.

I spoke with the previous owner today. He said the car has had those front end parking lot maneuver squirms since new and that the dealer service tech told him this was normal for a C6 with F1's and factory alignment. Do you believe this c4c5?

 

[tim414]

c4c5specialist-

Thanks for your response. Clutch packs, hmmm, sound like what I had with the C4 once.

As for tire scalloping, no the front and rears are pretty smooth and straight all the way across.

I spoke with the previous owner today. He said the car has had those front end parking lot maneuver squirms since new and that the dealer service tech told him this was normal for a C6 with F1's and factory alignment. Do you believe this c4c5?

I would also ask C4C5 if your C6's problem could stem from dealer not removing the (shims?) the factory puts in suspension for shipping....I read somewhere on here awhile back that that was similiar problem with another persons Vette (but thinking about it that was a C5)....couldn't hurt to ask...

 

[compyelc4]

Thanks orange09intexas,

<<I would also ask C4C5 if your C6's problem could stem from dealer not removing the (shims?) the factory puts in suspension for shipping....I read somewhere on here awhile back that that was similiar problem with another persons Vette (but thinking about it that was a C5)....couldn't hurt to ask>>

...I think we just did.

On the thought of shims, my friend bought an '07 C6. He said his first drive home was a surprise. He thought he had the ZR1 suspension. Turns out the dealership had left some type temporary shipping "tubes" or something like that, preventing the shocks from moving. He said the factory does this to keep the shocks from banging around on the car carriers and rail cars.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

The scrubbing is not normal, and yes, if you change the fluid, it will be gone.

If you have the magnetic ride control, the jounce bumpers may be inside the shocks but I would seriously doubt it.

Normally, you would have a very harsh ride with that condition.

Allthebest, c4c5

 

[DDLS3]

HI there,

The scrubbing is not normal, and yes, if you change the fluid, it will be gone.

Allthebest, c4c5

Yes it did! Had the scrubbing noise mostly when cold and usually when turning from the driveway onto the street. Changed the oil yesterday and the noise is gone