Topic: Help!! Tire grinding noise, but its not the tires!
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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At low speeds with no gas i'm getting what sounds like a tire rub noise, but its not rubbing. Could it be my power steering pump?? Is this just normal?(havn't driven the vette in a while... lol) I'm not talking sharp turns here.... casual turns in a parking lot. Gentle..... 10-15 degree turns... Any opinions welcomed! 

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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
wheel bearing ?

Kingston, PA - USA
Joined: 11/26/2003
Posts: 636
Vette(s): 1977 L-82 originally white/buckskin interior.
Currently undergoing a frame-off resto. and modifications.YEEHAW!!!
Turn up the stereo. 

crawl under it or jack it up and put it on jack stands and get under there,check the inside of the tires .especially the rear ones ,the clearences are really close betwwen the rear wheels and the control arms-swing arms,there is also the emergency brake cable,its close to the tire too,with the wheels off the ground,try to wiggle the tire from left to right and then up and down,to see if there is any play in the axle bearings,allowing the wheel to move around a little bit.if it does, its time for new axle bearings.there are a lot of things that can make noise on a Vette,none of them are good,axle bearings,rear end grinding ,check out everything you can think of ,then get back with us ,and we'll try to help you out,get it narrowed down,to at least a few things and let us know what you found !





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DACULA, GA - USA
Joined: 3/28/2003
Posts: 61
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Edition
Does it sound like it is coming from all the tires or just the driver's front?
I know this sounds a little crazy but I had the same problem with my 78 and it turned out to be the beginning of a speedometer cable binding. It sounded just like a rub or grind from the front driver's side tire and it started only at slow speeds and fluctuated with speed. I had my mechanic look at it twice but he could not find anything either. It was not until it got worse, (more noticeable at all speeds), that I noticed the "rubbing" sound coincided with the now more obvious needle bounce on my speedometer. Just a thought.
I know this sounds a little crazy but I had the same problem with my 78 and it turned out to be the beginning of a speedometer cable binding. It sounded just like a rub or grind from the front driver's side tire and it started only at slow speeds and fluctuated with speed. I had my mechanic look at it twice but he could not find anything either. It was not until it got worse, (more noticeable at all speeds), that I noticed the "rubbing" sound coincided with the now more obvious needle bounce on my speedometer. Just a thought.
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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