Topic: Corvettes' clunks, clacks, rattles, and squeaks
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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A Car & Driver test of a C2 Corvette once said, "It has plenty of squeaks and rattles, but they come standard." lol
Driving my latest C3 home for the first time at highway speeds, I couldn't believe the clatter coming from the dashboard. I e-mailed the previous owner about it, and he said it happens mostly in hot weather and at high speeds, which has turned out to be my experience too.
There's an occasional clunk in the drivetrain, understandable in a 30 + year old car. And there's a noise underneath that only shows up when going over road imperfections. At first I thought it was the exhaust scraping, but I now attribute it to the rear suspension compressing. Could the rear spring (I have a composite replacement) be causing this, and if so could something be done about it pretty easily since it's external?
I still love my 'glass and hope to have it for many years, but the stiff suspension combined with all the squeaks and rattles can be aggravating on roads that didn't seem rough until I went over them with a C3. *chuckling* Smooth roads are a pleasure, though.
How bad are the noises on your C3 and do you just tolerate them as part of the trade-off or have you tried to chase some down and eliminate them?
Bill
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
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
You can expect a few moans and groans from an older vehicle, for sure....just like me! But...any abnormal noise is a sign of excessive wear, or damage. The under-car noise you hear is most likely a suspension bushing that has deteriorated into oblivion. I would raise the car up and have a look-see at all of the suspension components, including the shock bushings, and the shaft u-joints.
These old gals have some miles on em now, but they were never whisper quiet. Guys at the dealerships always HATED to see a Corvette come in with a noise complaint, since there was usually never a solution.
The dash noise might not be a "normal" noise....most don't have noises in the dash, unless there is a definite problem.
We would need more info, and a more detailed description of the noise(s) to help pin-point an area to check.
Besides....that's why they put radios in them, and made the roofs removable!!!
These old gals have some miles on em now, but they were never whisper quiet. Guys at the dealerships always HATED to see a Corvette come in with a noise complaint, since there was usually never a solution.
The dash noise might not be a "normal" noise....most don't have noises in the dash, unless there is a definite problem.
We would need more info, and a more detailed description of the noise(s) to help pin-point an area to check.
Besides....that's why they put radios in them, and made the roofs removable!!!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Mine doesn't have many squeaks or rattles, and after the new weatherstripping very little wind noise! A lot of those noises in the dash are probably the results of "Bubba" doing work on it!
Barry
Well, the shocks are new and the undercarriage looks really clean but, yes, I'll have a mechanic look at it when it's in the shop for something else.
And the dash or bezel noises are really strange. You wouldn't think noises would come from there. I know the radio has been replaced, and that might've loosened things up.
I got a quote of 1,000 bucks installed for a basic CD stereo with 2 in dash and 2 rear speakers, and that's before the recommended bezel replacement (another $200 thru Ecklers). I passed. It wouldn't even have been that great a system, and for 1K? No way.
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That's why Corvette put on side exhaust..............(ebo
made me say this........again!!!!)
made me say this........again!!!!)
corvette440hp
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Simple cure for those noises - the roar of a powerful motor!!! 
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
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
Being clean underneath won't preclude it from having worn or damaged bushings....always worth a look-see. Could also be the exhaust loose somewhere and rattling when you hit a dip/bump...not that that would EVER happen in a Corvette...
Have you checked to see if you have a spare tire back there? If not, the tub could be bouncing around, making noises.
So many possibilities...so little time...
Have you checked to see if you have a spare tire back there? If not, the tub could be bouncing around, making noises.
So many possibilities...so little time...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I'm sure mine has lots of sqeeks & etc. but between the side pipes and the stereo I wouldn't know 
.
.
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Adams' Apple said: Being clean underneath won't preclude it from having worn or damaged bushings....always worth a look-see. Could also be the exhaust loose somewhere and rattling when you hit a dip/bump...not that that would EVER happen in a Corvette...
Have you checked to see if you have a spare tire back there? If not, the tub could be bouncing around, making noises.
So many possibilities...so little time...
Have you checked to see if you have a spare tire back there? If not, the tub could be bouncing around, making noises.
So many possibilities...so little time...
It does have the spare tire intact, yes.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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