2005 - 2012 Corvette: Service Bulletin: #PIC4763C: Pop Or Creak Noise From Rear Of Vehicle Behind The Seats - (Oct 17, 2011)

#PIC4763C: Pop Or Creak Noise From Rear Of Vehicle Behind The Seats - (Oct 17, 2011)

This PI was superseded to update recommended field along with model and model years. Please discard PIC4763B.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:

Some customers may comment of a creak, pop or oil canning type noise in the rear of the car. This noise seems to be induced as the body of the vehicle flexes. An example of this would be turning into a parking lot where the entrance has an incline.

Recommendation/Instructions:

Common areas of noise can be the rear stabilizer links or oil canning on the panel behind the seats. Technicians should isolate the rear stabilizer links and see if the noise has been eliminated (see latest version of PIC4475).  Next apply pressure to the body panel behind the driver and /or passenger seat to determine if the noise can be reduced. If the noise changes, the panel is "oil canning" and transmitting the noise. Oil can noise can be reduced by adding a small crease in the metal, diagonally from top center to outside lower, on the panel that is oil canning or add several small dimples along a diagonal line to add rigidity to the panel.  Finally apply a 12 inch by 12 inch butyl patch in the center of the same panel, using a roller or large socket; roll over the patch to wet out and remove any air pockets.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.