Vibration after new flywheel/clutch install

2015 CHEVROLET SONIC
65,000 MILES • 1.8L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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ARUSHO
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I followed your video on the Sonic clutch replacement. I have put in the new clutch and test drove today. First, when I put it in reverse and slowly back up, it vibrates a lot. I drove it and it shifts great, but there is also a random "clunk" coming from somewhere. Jacking it on both wheels and putting it into first gear and letting the wheels spin, there s a pretty bad vibration. When I take it out of gear and idle, it is fine. I took off the left rear wheel and axle. When I spin by hand there is a "hard spot" when turning the axle. As if something is bnding and then it spins through it. There is a noticeable "clunking" that is coming from the left axle. I spun the rotor with no axle and it was ticking. I did nothing more than put it back on and the click stopped. I put the axle back into the tranny and now it makes a very loud faster "tick" as if the gears are not meshing.
So 2 problems: Vibration and axle ticking and I don't know what I did wrong. I have rebuilt many Eagle Talons and never have I experienced vibration or clicking that this little car is doing.
Thanks for any help.
You can email me here if you need to: andy.rusho@comcast.net
Oct 30, 2022 at 11:45 AM
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STRAILER
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Is it possible the CV axle fell apart when you removed it? Also, the flywheel could be the wrong one because they make two different ones, and it may or may not have a balance weight on it. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the noise? That way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response.
Oct 31, 2022 at 10:13 AM
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ARUSHO
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Thanks for responding. The CV seems to be okay. The flywheel matches the one I replaced (single mass). After some investigation, I found that the left axle was not all the way in. It seemed like it was, so I pushed with all my might to get it in further. But it still would not move very much. so, I connected the axle to the hub and I was slamming it really hard with the shock disconnected so I was able to use the weight and force of the spindle to help push it. I was pushing (really slamming) much harder than I am used to and I still don't think it's all the way in. I drained the oil again, hoping I could see how far the axle had gone, but there is a small joint around where both axles meet the differential.
The new problem I am worried about: is the axle in far enough? Tomorrow I will test for vibration again. Here is a pic of the axle as far as I could get it in. The 2015 has a few differences than the 2012 I saw you working on. When you put that left axle in, the case is different. See the pic below. It spins okay and the dust boot over the CV nearest the axle is not nearly as pinched as it was before, but I still don't think that CV is in all the way... What do you think?
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Oct 31, 2022 at 6:16 PM
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STRAILER
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It looks like it is in all the way. If you could upload a quick video of the vibration while you drive it we can figure out what's going on.
Nov 1, 2022 at 11:45 AM
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ARUSHO
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Okay, I ran it again tonight and there was no vibration. Looks like the axle was not in all the way. Thanks for reading and looking at the picture! Keep up the YouTube channel!
Nov 1, 2022 at 5:30 PM
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STRAILER
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Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
Nov 2, 2022 at 4:53 PM