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Topic: Rear end noise

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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Rear end noise (1/7)
 10/1/09 4:44pm
Madrider
Former Member

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Robersonville, NC - USA

Vette(s):
76 stingray


Joined: 4/23/2009
Posts: 47

Hi all,

Ok here is my delima. I am still working on the Vette before I put it on the road. Well I was checking out the rear brakes and rear suspension. I decided to crank it up and let the rear wheel turn. Well there was a thunk, thunk thunk noise coming from the rear end. The right rear rotor is warped so I too it off to see if that might be it. Well it wasn't! (surprise) Then I thought, well let me take the half shaft out and see if it still does it. When I did this the noise went away. The u-joints seam to feel pretty good. Nice and smooth through all positions and movement. The ony thing that I can think now is it is in the Trailing arm. The bearing maybe? It doesn't seem to feel bad or have any free play in it as I can tell. It is a little hard to turn though. (stiff) I didn't do anything to the driver side, but I did notice some vibrating (movement) as the rear end turned it.  What could this be? Is this something a trailing arm could do? Could it be the rear end? I hope not!
 
Please help me out here. I need to get it fixed, but don't want to be spending anymore than I have to right now.
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Rear end noise (2/7)
 10/1/09 9:02pm
ranger3Lifetime Member
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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top


Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

If I an reading this correctly it sounds like you had the car on a jack or jackstands with the rear wheels clear of the ground. You had the car in gear with the rear wheels turning. If this is the case and the trailing arms were not supported, then both half shafts were suspended at angles far beyond the norm. This puts excessive loads on the u-joints and yokes. That's why you didn't hear it when you removed the shafts. I would not reuse those u-joints. Hope this helps.
Scott
Rear end noise (3/7)
 10/1/09 9:28pm
BKVETTE
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Calhoun City, MS - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Black T-Top


Joined: 9/24/2005
Posts: 121

As Ranger have stated. You're not dealing with a Solid  Axle car.  Your load is riding on those U-Joints. When you jack it up.
Rear end noise (4/7)
 10/1/09 10:10pm
Madrider
Former Member

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Robersonville, NC - USA

Vette(s):
76 stingray


Joined: 4/23/2009
Posts: 47

You are right. I have the car up on jack stands. I thought about that also (u-joints being at to much of a angle) but wasnt sure. What I dont understand is, I took out the right half shaft, the left is still in the car, and the noise is gone.   
Thats cool, I was planning on replacing the u-joints anyway.
Thanks for your help.
Rear end noise (5/7)
 10/2/09 12:51pm
Autom8r
Former Member

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Old Hickory, TN - USA

Vette(s):
1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////


Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599

While you have the ass end in the air, replace all 4 u-joints. There is no such thing as one bad axle u-joint on a C3 'Vette.... about 20 bucks apiece at Advance Auto Parts..

Dave
Rear end noise (6/7)
 10/2/09 4:42pm
KDADDY79
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Dutchess County, NY - USA

Vette(s):
White '79 Corvette. It's a driver.


Joined: 8/27/2007
Posts: 2484

While you're back there, you may want to change the rear diff. fluid and add some GM Posi Lube Additive.
Even if it's not the cause of the (U-Joint) noise it's a good piece of insurance for the rear diff.
Cant hurt.
Kevin
Rear end noise (7/7)
 10/2/09 9:04pm
Madrider
Former Member

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Robersonville, NC - USA

Vette(s):
76 stingray


Joined: 4/23/2009
Posts: 47

Is there a way to check the bearings in the trailing arms?  The bushings on the arms are shot so it kinda hard to tell if there is any movement in them.  I recken what I am asking, is how would I know if they need replacing. Madrider2009-10-03 05:38:58
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