First time corvette owner: Please Help!

[cityjoy]

Hi, All,

I just bought my first used corvette 98 w/55k !! :)
I love it! But, I found few problems, but I don't even know if they are problems. Please help. I would appreciate your comment:

when I took it out to Highway for the first time:

1. Streering wheel shakes above 70mph.
(when I hold the streeeing wheel tight, my watch rattles, I could hear it) Is this alignment problem? or something $$$? :( or is it normal with 8cylinder engine?

2. RPM gauge is not accurate. When I accelerate, I can see the RMP Gauge moving up, but soon, it drops back to 1~1.5 range even though I am drving in 50mph.

3. MPH gauge is not accurate. When I slow down, I can see the MPH gauge was just droping at constant speed, whether I make sudden stop and slow stop. (I don't think its normal.. )


Other than that.. its fabulous! I looooooove the bose speakers...

[Bill Burkholder]

Originally posted by cityjoy
Hi, All,

I just bought my first used corvette 98 w/55k !! :)
I love it! But, I found few problems, but I don't even know if they are problems. Please help. I would appreciate your comment:

when I took it out to Highway for the first time:

1. Streering wheel shakes above 70mph.
(when I hold the streeeing wheel tight, my watch rattles, I could hear it) Is this alignment problem? or something $$$? :( or is it normal with 8cylinder engine?

#1. I would have an alignment and wheels balanced. Also check the tires for unusual wear or a bent or cracked wheel.

2. RPM gauge is not accurate. When I accelerate, I can see the RMP Gauge moving up, but soon, it drops back to 1~1.5 range even though I am drving in 50mph.

#2. The tach sounds ok... at 70 mph in my 6speed I'm only around 1,300 /1,500 rpm's. You don't say what trans you have, the A-4 auto trans has a very high ratio also. (in over drive)

3. MPH gauge is not accurate. When I slow down, I can see the MPH gauge was just droping at constant speed, whether I make sudden stop and slow stop. (I don't think its normal.. )

#3. I never noticed my speedometer The next time I'm out in it I'll look to see what it does.




Other than that.. its fabulous! I looooooove the bose speakers...


Good luck with your new car... and welcome to CCDV on line!!!!

[Glennm27]

#1 Is certainly a problem! Sounds more like wheel balancing or badly worn shocks or both combined:

#2 Your tach is showing Engine speed NOT the cars speed.
A good example: My car will run 3500 RPM's at 35 MPH is 1st gear and 1500 RPM's at 68 MPH in 6th gear! The tach will drop as you are driving everytime you (or your A4) shifts gears and then start to climb again as the car goes through each gear.

#3 Does not sound like a problem to me!

[Rich Dunbar]

Cityjoy,

Congratulations on your purchase!! ;bt ;bc

I own an auto repair shop in Ardmore. Feel free to give me a call (610-642-4344) if you'd like a club member to take a look at what you are describing and determine what's going on. I agree with what Bill and Glenn have said so far, but I'd be glad to look it over for you as well.

FYI - I own a 2001 Coupe, so I am very familiar with the C5s.

[Tony B.96LT4]

Originally posted by Rich Dunbar
Cityjoy,

Congratulations on your purchase!! ;bt ;bc

I own an auto repair shop in Ardmore. Feel free to give me a call (610-642-4344) if you'd like a club member to take a look at what you are describing and determine what's going on. I agree with what Bill and Glenn have said so far, but I'd be glad to look it over for you as well.

FYI - I own a 2001 Coupe, so I am very familiar with the C5s.

Rich won't mention this himself, but he's also a nice guy!;bt

[cityjoy]

Thanks! all of you.

Wow, I never expect I would get the respond so soon. This is my first time owning vett, and no one around me knows about the car. Didn't know who to ask for any advice... Now, I am definitely in the right club! :D

Tony, Thanks a lot. I will stop by at your shop for any future checkup and maintenance. If I take my vett to shop, I definitely want to take it to someone who knows about it. :) For balance and alignment, I will first take it to the dealer where I purchase it from (RuthRock Chevy). Since its been only two days, I am sure they will do it for free. They better! :mad: If not, %@$# him. I will go straight to you. :D

Again, Thank you guys.

[VetBoyZR1]

I also suggest signing up at www.corvetteforum.com and reading the C5 forums. There's a lot to learn about C5 issues, like the famous steering column lock for example.

[C5pilot]

Originally posted by Tony B.96LT4


Rich won't mention this himself, but he's also a nice guy!;bt

Took the words right out of my mouth... Rich will always give it to you straight. ;yn