just bought this 78 L82 a couple of months back and was driving the other day and noticed a clicking noise coming from the right side of the car as i going down the road sounds like it may be coming from the rear have the rally wheels trim rings and center caps thought maybe one of them may be loose or something checked both the front and rear and all is tight. It almost sounds like a small pebble or something checked tires all is okay. Noise gets faster at times as you speed up and also slow down as you come to a stop.Drove the car this am and the noise was not there really strange any thoughts or something to look for would be appreciated.

Maybe a u-joint on a half shaft? But too general to guess.

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Vmikalinis, 1980 L48 T-tops 4-spd Hurst shifter, edelbrock intake and carb, mid america true dual exhaust into flowmaster 40's. VDB Poly adjustable strut rods. |URL|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/2501_2600/2544/side.jpg |/URL|

I have seen many trim rings and caps make noise when they were tight. Just depends on how they fit, temp, humidity, etc. I have fixed them just by removing and reinstalling, installing in a different position for center caps, applying a small bit of lube at contact points. Could be your noise.

check the tire balance

I've got the same noise on my 78,right rear wheel but mine has the slotted aluminum wheels,makes me crazy.

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C3VR Lifetime Member #93

Thanks for the info guys that is why i like this site here the feedback is great. don't know much about these cars so everyday i learn something new. thank you once again.

Hi. I am Flandy the moderator, and I'm concernd that the noise that you are hearing is the bearings in the t-arm running out of grease. HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, NOT AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE. So if I can be of furthur help, just respond and I'll do what I can to walk you through the process. Best wishes-Flandy













hi, I'm Flandy the moderator, and I do not want to scare you, but my 68 made kind of a clicking noise and I always assumed that the bearings would be ok for just one more ride, until the outer left bearing on my trailing arm said bye-bye, so there is some need for concern, my 68 had 61,238 when the bad deal happenened to me. It might be an area of serious concern. Let me know if I can be of furthur assistance

My 69 had that "clicking" or "ticking" noise too. It seems to increase as you increase speed, and vice-verse... I always thought it was wheel bearing or trailing arm bearing related, but mine turned out to be the little "ball" on the end of my parking brake cable going to my right rear brake. Once I re-hooked it up (kind of a pain), the clicking was gone.

Just another of many possibilities...

Mike

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on mine the right rear tire was out of balance and i had very little clearance between the tire and the emergency brake cable... im guessing it was rubbing as the tire got more "wobbly" at higher speeds.. rebalanced.. and strapped the cable to the t-arm with a couple of wire ties and never had the problem again.

thats what I am thinking it is,the axle bearings were all done last summer,I've looked under there b-4,and there is'nt much clearence between the inside of the tire and the brake cable.

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C3VR Lifetime Member #93

Does your parking brake really function? Honestly I never use the parking brake on any of my Vehicles...BUT
in one of my Corvettes I had a clicking noise comming from the right rear that drove me bonkers for a very long time...never could figure it out SO I broke down and took the car to a REAL Corvette Mechanic (one man shop who only worked on Corvettes...)

Anyway it turned out to be the spring inside the parking brake ..it broke and the end "Hit" the inside of the hub
thus the Click...especially on right hand turns... IT Did take the guy 3-4 hours to find it...5 dollar part BUT he only charged me one hour labor...even he was embarassed

Bob

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Bob
64,72 & 98 Corvette Ragtops
76 & 79 & qa 88 ANC Corvette Coupes

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This may be a long shot, but it cured my clicking noise. I had the spare tire off and was tinkering in the carrier when I noticed the top piece (flat, plastic piece that is bolted between the tire and gas tank) was loose and making a similar sound when tapped against the frame (could send Morse code with it). There are not enough bolts to secure it anymore, it's deformed, so I placed a 4" thick, round piece of foam rubber on top of the spare when I replaced it. Pretty low tech repair, isn't it?...but it worked!

JR

|UPDATED|8/5/2004 12:55:44 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Mike,Put the T-tops back on,turn up the air and the radio and you've cured the problem. Only kidding.See if its related to the parking brake by pulling up gently on the handle while the noise is happening.Just another .02
Jules

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my c3 was making a clicking noise from the rear when i purchased it. the previous owner was good at changing fluids and had jiffy lube change all the fulids regulary. even the rear diff fluid. only problem is that they never added posi-traction fluid and had never even heard of it. this will cause the rear clutches make noise. you can get it at the chevy dealer for about $4. made my clicking go away.

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Uhhh cool be something as simple as a rock or nail caught in the tread of the tire!

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garry72conv said: only problem is that they never added posi-traction fluid and had never even heard of it. this will cause the rear clutches make noise. you can get it at the chevy dealer for about $4. made my clicking go away.

I guess that little red tag that said add posi fluid was way too simple..

it amazes me how stupid people can be.

After 30 years in the auto business, I still see stupid that amazes me. It never ends. I laugh so I don't cry.

Some people just don't know, and can learn. That applies to all of us about many things. There is much I don't know. I applaude those who are always learning. Others are just too dense.

I can educate the ignorant. There is nothing I can do about stupid.

Reminds me of a saying on the Harley net from on of the listers.

" The two elemonts most found in the Universe are Hydrogen and Stupidity. One is measurable, the other is unbelievable!!!"

Just couldn't reisit !!

Nick

Thanks for the reply's took Kyster first the easy one took oof all the trim ring and center cap applied a small amount of litho grease at contact points and moved them to a different position on wheel so far noise is gone have not heard it yet have fingers crossed hopefully remedied the problem. Want to thank all as this site is great Can't ask for better training than ojt thanks again.

Having the same problem on my 80. Except that I have a Mild squeek on my right rear (intermitten). If I rest my foot litely on the brake, the squeek stops. Have replaced the pads but it still does it. Warped rotor?? Could it be a bad u-joint?

|UPDATED|8/10/2004 6:00:15 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

maintenance4 said: Having the same problem on my 80. Except that I have a Mild squeek on my right rear (intermitten). If I rest my foot litely on the brake, the squeek stops. Have replaced the pads but it still does it. Warped caliper ??

you mean warped rotor right ??

very possible and easy to check..

You may also want to apply a very small amount of brake lube to the metal ends of the brake pads. Any where the metal of the pad touches should be lightly lubed. Common cause. Often not done.

How can you check for a warped rotor without pulling it or not having a dial indicator?

maintenance4 said: How can you check for a warped rotor without pulling it or not having a dial indicator?

well pulling a rotor is easy..

5 lug nuts and away it goes.

you can either buy or rent a dial indicator. or take the rotor to a brake shop.... tell then you think you might need a new rotor and ask them to test it..

they will usually test one for free.. (if they have to pull it they will charge you)

Wish I could remove it by taking the lug nuts off. Mine have to have the rivets drilled first. Good week-end project I guess.

maintenance4 said: Wish I could remove it by taking the lug nuts off. Mine have to have the rivets drilled first. Good week-end project I guess.

oh man.. you dont have the factory rivets out..

you are gonna love what you see underneath the rear rotors..

rust heaven.. prepare yourself mentally for a new stainless parking brake kit

nobody sane puts those factory rivets back in..

they were just there to hold the rotor on while it moved down the assembly line..

as for weekend project.. shouldnt take more than 10 minutes to do this..

|UPDATED|8/10/2004 6:41:38 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Hard to believe, but mine still has the rivits on the rear. When I do drill them, I hope all will be fairly decent. My frame is excellent, so I can hope. Naw, I know better.

I only have 18,000 miles on it so hopefully it won't be too bad....

maintenance4 said: I only have 18,000 miles on it so hopefully it won't be too bad....

yeah but 24 years...

I still have original rivets in mine rears. Runout is fine except for the shot bearings on one side. I'll be drilling the rivets to. Makes things so much easier. Especially when you just want to clean out the park brakes.