'03 Z06 ::: April '07 Cover Car>
Welcome to the Club (Corvette that is)
I'm not a Corvette owner, but am trying to become one. I've started test driving private owner Vettes that I'm finding online, specifically looking for a low-mile '99 FRC. I test drove my first one yesterday-a '99 with 19,000 miles. Exterior and interior were immaculate. However, mechanically, I walked away with four questions that you may be able to help me with.
1) The original Goodyears were still on the car. The back tires had no tread. The fronts had about a sixteenth of an inch center of tread, and an eighth of an inch at the outsides of the tire. The inside tread (driver's side) showed a bit of cupping. Is this indicative of a serious problem or perhaps just an alignment problem? I've heard cupping can indicate a problem with tie-rod ends, steering rack, or wheel bearings.
2) Is 19,000 miles close to the life expectancy of the original Goodyears?
3) The engine cranked and ran great. Underneath, there was a little oil around the perimeter of the oil pan. Oil was clean and fresh looking. I couldn't see any leak from higher up on the engine. Would loose pan bolts or a loose plug be the likely cause on a car that's driven very little? Is this common or is it a red flag?
4) I drove the car for about 20 minutes. Occasionally, I thought I heard a very faint "clunk" sound from the trans/rearend while shifting at low rpm. it reminded me of the rearend sound I get sometimes when shifting gears in my old Ford Ranger work truck, which has always sounded to me like a little play in the rear universal joint. Is this a red flag or a common mechanical noise for a C5 Vette? Thanks.Bill LeJeune, Lexington, SC
The tires on the car should have lasted more than 19,000 miles; the rears wearing faster than the front will usually state the driver likes to spin the tires a little more than normal. It is a common sight on Corvettes to see the rears a little thinner than the fronts because of the owners having fun with the cars. The front tires cupping tells me that it needs an alignment. Usually if the toe is off, the tires tend to show cupping, or possibly the shocks need replacing. I would inspect the front end up on a lift to check the tie rods, bushings, and ball joints for wear. A full inspection of the front end steering and suspension is in order to make sure everything is in safe working condition.
The LS1 engine has a good sealing system on the oil pan using a captured o-ring in an aluminum frame all around the bottom of the block, so the problem could possibly be loose bolts. If it is showing signs of oil seepage, it usually is normal. but if it is actually leaking, I would try tightening the bolts
The clunking noise in the rearend of this car is abnormal for the low mileage on the vehicle. it seems this car is showing more wear than normal for a vehicle with only 19,000 miles on it. I would recommend taking the vehicle to a certified Corvette repair facility and paying for a full inspection of the vehicle. They can put it up on a lift and fully inspect the drivetrain, test the computer system, engine, and all around condition of the vehicle. Once you have it up on a lift, you can inspect for body damage, frame damage, and inspect all the nooks and crannies of the car. It may cost you a little on the front end, but could save you a lot in the long run. You can also run a Carfax report to see if there have been any major repairs on the vehicle, or ask if the seller has any maintenance records of the vehicle. A Corvette owner will usually keep a good record of any and all modifications or repairs that they have performed or had on their car. some owners will just stuff all the receipts in the glovebox or center console just to get them out of the way.