signs of shock failure
04-28-2007, 07:44 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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signs of shock failure
What are signs of shock failure. I begining to think my shocks might be going bad and was wondering what you guys know. Thanks.
04-28-2007, 08:00 PM
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Burning Brakes
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The most obvious is visual inspecting - look for fluid leaks - sometimes they are not as obvious as you would think. You may even notice large dents or holes. As a general rule most factory shocks are only good for 50,000 miles. As another member pointed out they are made by a vendor with the lowest bid to save money.
I changed my shocks at 30K miles and noticed a great improvement!
(z51 stock - Now I have Bilstein HD). One of my best mods for on road feel (after the z06 sway bars/aluminum links).
I changed my shocks at 30K miles and noticed a great improvement!
(z51 stock - Now I have Bilstein HD). One of my best mods for on road feel (after the z06 sway bars/aluminum links).
04-29-2007, 02:23 PM
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Burning Brakes
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I haven't noticed any leaks but I have noticed a different sound now when I hit small short bumps in the road. The sound is kind of hard to discribe but it sounds like there is air being forced out and making a sudden sshhhh sound. Any thoughts.
04-29-2007, 05:58 PM
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My RR shock was bad. The RR rear would lift & "chatter" on sharp right turns. When I removed the rear shocks to R&R my A4 rear seal, compressing the RR shock by hand, you could hear air inside the shock. The last 2 inches of stroke toward full extension had zero resistance. Replacing the RR shock resulted in the RR wheel no longer chattering in right turns and the "thump" of the rear suspension disappeared.
04-30-2007, 03:43 AM
#6
Burning Brakes
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04-30-2007, 09:39 AM
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CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Shocks degrade very slowly over time and it is difficult to detect a bad shock unless it is so bad that it no longer control the wheel. What you get is a degraded performance level that you are use to and really do not notice. Once you install even a new set of OEM shocks, you impression is 
HOLY COW, i can really feel the difference!
If you have 40-50K on your current shocks, it may be time for an up-grade. I have 40k on my 02 ZO6. When I removed my OEM Z shocks, I found out that they were still good. Lots of dampening still left
I installed a set of C6 ZO6 shocks and noticed a decent difference over the stock ZO6 shocks in hard turns and irregular surface roads in a turn.
Normal everyday driving it drives pretty much the same. For $230 for a set if four, it was a good upgrade.
BC
HOLY COW, i can really feel the difference! If you have 40-50K on your current shocks, it may be time for an up-grade. I have 40k on my 02 ZO6. When I removed my OEM Z shocks, I found out that they were still good. Lots of dampening still left
I installed a set of C6 ZO6 shocks and noticed a decent difference over the stock ZO6 shocks in hard turns and irregular surface roads in a turn.
Normal everyday driving it drives pretty much the same. For $230 for a set if four, it was a good upgrade.
BC
04-30-2007, 03:21 PM
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Bill,
You said $230 why do i see big numbers on other tread. $230 i pretty good i know mine are gone 127K but i dont want to spend$1500 for shocks i have 99 hardtop what do yo recommend
You said $230 why do i see big numbers on other tread. $230 i pretty good i know mine are gone 127K but i dont want to spend$1500 for shocks i have 99 hardtop what do yo recommend
04-30-2007, 03:38 PM
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I just replaced my stock 2002 C5 shocks (with around 50K miles) with Bilstein Sports. $303.48 total for 4 shocks. I get considerably less wheel hop with the new shocks, and they are not too harsh for my tastes.
04-30-2007, 06:41 PM
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CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Its called the CORVETTE TAX! They have you by the nads and try to stick it to you! Check with Fred Beans, Fichtners and Gene Cully and shop the best deal! If you really want a good price, do your home work and start a GROUP PURCHASE.
I cant remember if I purchased my shocks from Ferd or Gene but my wife just told me that it was less than the $230 I quoted you when I purchased them early this past winter. CHECK PRICES and shop the lowest deal! If you get the C6 ZO6 shocks you will save a lot of cash and gain a nice handling car. I would also look in the forum parts for sale and hunt down a set of C5 ZO6 or Z51 sway bars with metal end links. You will enjoy the results.
Its the best shock deal going. Why do you have to have $1500. shocks when $200. shocks will preform just as well.
Just like headers. Theres a $400 EBay header out there that works really well.
If you think the corvette tax is bad,,,
,,I have a BMW K1200 RS motorcycle. One single header for that bike is $900 freking dollars that will net you 10-12 HP 
FORGETABOUTIT!
BC
05-01-2007, 07:05 AM
#13
Team Owner
Its called the CORVETTE TAX! They have you by the nads and try to stick it to you! Check with Fred Beans, Fichtners and Gene Cully and shop the best deal! If you really want a good price, do your home work and start a GROUP PURCHASE.
I cant remember if I purchased my shocks from Ferd or Gene but my wife just told me that it was less than the $230 I quoted you when I purchased them early this past winter. CHECK PRICES and shop the lowest deal! If you get the C6 ZO6 shocks you will save a lot of cash and gain a nice handling car. I would also look in the forum parts for sale and hunt down a set of C5 ZO6 or Z51 sway bars with metal end links. You will enjoy the results.
Its the best shock deal going. Why do you have to have $1500. shocks when $200. shocks will preform just as well.
Just like headers. Theres a $400 EBay header out there that works really well.
If you think the corvette tax is bad,,, ,,I have a BMW K1200 RS motorcycle. One single header for that bike is $900 freking dollars that will net you 10-12 HP FORGETABOUTIT!
BC
I cant remember if I purchased my shocks from Ferd or Gene but my wife just told me that it was less than the $230 I quoted you when I purchased them early this past winter. CHECK PRICES and shop the lowest deal! If you get the C6 ZO6 shocks you will save a lot of cash and gain a nice handling car. I would also look in the forum parts for sale and hunt down a set of C5 ZO6 or Z51 sway bars with metal end links. You will enjoy the results.
Its the best shock deal going. Why do you have to have $1500. shocks when $200. shocks will preform just as well.
Just like headers. Theres a $400 EBay header out there that works really well.
If you think the corvette tax is bad,,,
,,I have a BMW K1200 RS motorcycle. One single header for that bike is $900 freking dollars that will net you 10-12 HP FORGETABOUTIT! BC
how many headers do you think they sell for a K1200? Quantity brings cost reduction. Most 1500 dollar shocks are miles ahead of a 200 buck shock. Bilsteins you can also rebuild or change valving. unlike OEM.
Remember Carrol Sheby books said the hardest thing for a racer to detect is a bad shock. OEM shocks don't last they swap suppliers for pennies on a bid.
Last edited by John Shiels; 05-01-2007 at 07:08 AM.
