2,300 Miles In, My C8 Corvette Has Rust And a Clicking Sound. How Can I Fix This?

When you own a Corvette C8 Z06, you're not just driving a car, you're part of a legacy of high-performance engineering and passionate automotive culture. However, even these pinnacle machines can sometimes present unexpected challenges. Daniel Holmes, a dedicated Corvette enthusiast, recently took to the "Corvette C8 Z06, ZR1 & E-Ray" Facebook group to share his ongoing experience with his C8 Z06.

"Back wheel has been clicking for awhile, dealer said this was the reason then cleaned it and said car is working as it should... still clicking. I am sure rust has ate through it enough to where the whole hub needs to needs to be replaced. Anyone else has an experience this? 2,800 miles."

Many users took to the comment section to assist, including Yorgo Drivas, who suggested a methodical approach to diagnosing the problem.

The First Mid-Engine Corvette

• The C8 Corvette's mid-engine layout was practically an open secret long before its 2019 unveiling. Spy shots of camouflaged test mules began surfacing as early as 2015, and GM insiders couldn’t keep a lid on the whispers. For a detailed look at how Chevrolet refined its iconic sports car, check out What’s New With the 2021 C8 Mid-Engine Corvette.
• Despite GM's best attempts to conceal the car’s revolutionary design, the test mules didn’t do a great job blending in. Clunky disguises with exaggerated panels and comically oversized wings only fueled speculation. 
• Engineers like Zora Arkus-Duntov, the “Father of the Corvette,” had championed the idea as far back as the 1970s. By the time the C8 arrived, it felt less like a revelation and more like the inevitable conclusion to a half-century of rumor, speculation, and wishful thinking.

Figuring Out The Issue

"Fastest way I can think of figuring out if it’s the rim or not is swap out the rim with someone else’s and drive on it. New rim and same noise you can eliminate it being the rim. If it's not the rim and the noise coincides with speed meaning it’s more frequent as you accelerate and vice versa then it could be something didn’t get greased well or bearings etc but they would need to actually remove the hub and inspect it and behind in the CV or axle etc to really find out. Plus I know not all dealerships have Z06 certified mechanics. I’d call around and find a shop that has a specialized Z06 certified mechanic and take it there rather than the normal Chevy mechanics. Good luck."

With a variety of suggestions on the table, Holmes now faces the task of systematically addressing each potential cause. 

The Dealership Experience 

One of the downsides of owning a C8 Corvette is the dealership experience.  It’s not that Chevrolet doesn’t know how to build world-beating machines, they’ve done it with the Corvette since Eisenhower was in office. It’s just that Chevy’s service counter is more likely to be dealing with a transmission replacement for a Tahoe than explaining launch control in a mid-engine supercar.

And this mismatch? It’s not a new phenomenon. Remember the Acura NSX back in the 1990s? Honda built a car that could punch a Ferrari 348 straight in its designer sunglasses. It had reliability that made Italian exotics look like temperamental divas. But where’d you buy one?

From the same place, you got your aunt’s Acura Legend. Meanwhile, Ferrari buyers were sipping champagne and getting treated like art collectors. The NSX gave you sports car magic at a price that wouldn’t vaporize your checking account.

For readers interested in diving deeper into the evolution of the C8 Corvette and how it stacks up against other supercars, check out 5 Features That Make the 2020 C8 Corvette Better Than Those Other Supercars.

What would you do if you encountered this issue on your practically brand-new C8 Corvette?

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.