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Topic: At wits end

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


At wits end

Posted: 8/28/10 9:31am Message 1 of 15
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edgwood, MD - USA
Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736
Vette(s): 1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.
 I replace the strut (what a chore!) then I checked the half shafts for loose universal joint(Larry (ie) corvette specialties)gave me advice on how to check.They were tight no movement.I pulled the rotor off and checked the parking brake no signs of rubbing there.While I had the rotor off I tried to move the flange to check wheel bearing no movement there.But I still have the squeak went I drive off (step on gas squeak let off gas no squeak).I am at wits end any ideas would be appreciated.I am trying to avoid putting it in the shop right now ,not a good time for that.
                            Thanks Rick


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At wits end

Posted: 8/28/10 11:25am Message 2 of 15
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Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA
Joined: 1/3/2006
Posts: 1560
Vette(s): 1980 Black L48 T-Tops
Have you put posi-track fluid in the rear end and driven in circles, first left, then right (or right, then left, your choice).  Find a big parking lot (read church or other with no light poles around) and when it is empty, spend a while driving in circles after you put the fluid in.

Use the GM factory (blue and white label on a black bottle) fluid at the back of most Auto Zones with the other fluids on the upper shelves (at least here in OK).



At wits end

Posted: 8/28/10 1:50pm Message 3 of 15
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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed
Are you sure the squeak is coming from the wheel?? sometimes sounds travels mysteriously from other places... might try checking the u-joints on the drive shaft... also, it could still be a u-joint on the half shaft, they might feel tight, but i've encountered bad u-joints that had no play in them untill i took off the half shaft(believe me, i just rebuilt a wheel bearing assembly thinking i had a bad wheel bearing when infact, i had dry u-joint bearings... ugh.. oh well, i needed the practice again setting up the bearings :) ), just from the pressure of having the wheel jacked up, the half shaft is being pulled outward toward the wheel from the differential, applying pressure on the u-joints and making it difficult to feel/see any looseness...  


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At wits end

Posted: 8/28/10 2:07pm Message 4 of 15
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edgwood, MD - USA
Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736
Vette(s): 1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.

First I'm curious what dose posi track fluid and going in circles do?Hi Jim,You know I have the u-joints already so maybe I just change them anyway.I have to change the shocks anyway(I think the shocks are the originals white with blue GM letters).On my next day off I guess that what I will be doing,It cann't no worst than changing that bent Strut. Thanks Dennis and Jim.

                                             Rick



At wits end

Posted: 8/28/10 4:01pm Message 5 of 15
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Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA
Joined: 1/3/2006
Posts: 1560
Vette(s): 1980 Black L48 T-Tops
Not sure of the chemistry behind it, but it worked for mine when I had the same issue, but usually when turning or going slow (meaning I probably couldn't hear it at speed or the car, much like a boat, comes up on plane and changes the axis of the rear end, wheel bearings, etc at speed).

Jim makes a great point in that I didn't know I had U-joint issues until I had the shafts out of the car.



At wits end

Posted: 8/28/10 4:51pm Message 6 of 15
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Squeaks as you take off usually indicate dry u-joints...especially if it squeak-squeak-squeaks with the tire rpm. as in, it squeaks every time the tire/wheel passes a certain point.
Jimmy has a point...it may well be driveshaft u-joints, and just being "tight" doesn't preclude the joints being bad. They can have nothing but rust in them, and not have any play that you can feel.
If you check the u-joints on the halfshafts with the halfshafts off the car, they should turn easily, both the end caps, and the cross that is still in the shaft. "Tight" in this case isn't a good thing.
I'm going with bad u-joints... Or at least ONE bad one... 


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At wits end

Posted: 8/28/10 6:56pm Message 7 of 15
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edgwood, MD - USA
Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736
Vette(s): 1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.
Well the half-shafts are coming off  and I am going to replace the u-joints.I have to put the car on a lift for the drive shaft(that will be next weekend)Wits End.Thahks Guys
                  Rick



At wits end

Posted: 8/28/10 8:38pm Message 8 of 15
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York, PA - USA
Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518
Vette(s): 1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top
Hey Rick,
Have you tried to grease them if possible,,alot and alot,,goo out of each cap?
Rich
 




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At wits end

Posted: 8/29/10 1:57pm Message 9 of 15
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edgwood, MD - USA
Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736
Vette(s): 1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.
No place to put grease in Rich.I'm going to just replace them no telling how old they are.The good thing is I already have the u-joints for the half shafts /with fitting for grease.I'll pick up the ones for drive shaft this week.
               Rick


At wits end

Posted: 8/30/10 1:11pm Message 10 of 15
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edgwood, MD - USA
Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736
Vette(s): 1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.
Jim (stingray jim)you were right bad u-joint.After I got the haft shafts off you could see the bad one right away. the others look ok ,but I have new ones so I am changing them anyway.That way I know for sure what is what.If all goes right this weekend I plan to change the drive shaft u-joints
                       Again thanks guys Rick tinbender2010-08-30 13:12:28


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