Z51 Shock life
12-07-2012, 03:02 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Z51 Shock life
Just looking for input about shock absorber life, My 07 Z51 equipped coupe now has over 100,000 miles on the original shocks, The car still seems to handle fine and the compression and rebound seems to be good at all four corners, So, If they were loosing some dampening ability, would you know it? Should I just replace them due to the milage? The car is obviously a daily driver, so comfort is little bit more important to me than an aggressive handling/Racing type shock. I like the way the Z51 suspension rides, solid and firm but not enough to rattle your fillings if you know what I mean!!
If you have some experience with the shocks on your C6, your input is appreciated.
Thanks
If you have some experience with the shocks on your C6, your input is appreciated.
Thanks
12-07-2012, 05:48 PM
#3
Instructor
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I've always heard that between 60K and 100K is the average life of a shock, usually has to do with the number of compression and decompression cycles the unit goes though, and combine that with the age of the shock and wear on seals internal hardware. I would change them out at 100K, IMO.
12-07-2012, 06:49 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
I am just short of 40k miles but I wanted the Koni FSD's so bad I could not wait and had to pull the trigger. The thought of no loss in performance with respect to handling, a more pleasant ride overall and ~ half an inch seated lower sounded right to me.
12-07-2012, 07:02 PM
#5
Safety Car
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Just looking for input about shock absorber life, My 07 Z51 equipped coupe now has over 100,000 miles on the original shocks, The car still seems to handle fine and the compression and rebound seems to be good at all four corners, So, If they were loosing some dampening ability, would you know it? Should I just replace them due to the milage? The car is obviously a daily driver, so comfort is little bit more important to me than an aggressive handling/Racing type shock. I like the way the Z51 suspension rides, solid and firm but not enough to rattle your fillings if you know what I mean!!
If you have some experience with the shocks on your C6, your input is appreciated.
Thanks
If you have some experience with the shocks on your C6, your input is appreciated.
Thanks
12-07-2012, 08:18 PM
#6
I have a 2005 Z51 and my shocks, still stock and at 113k , feel the same as the day I bought the car. I will keep it that way until I either feel some different or see unusual tire wear. I assume a Z51 is rougher handling than stock, but I like it and my tires have been wearing evenly. Feels like driving a race car. Love it!!!!
12-07-2012, 08:27 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
It has been my experience that "Normal" shocks last about 60,000 miles.
most will not notice the difference because it is gradual over a long period of time.
most will not notice the difference because it is gradual over a long period of time.
12-07-2012, 08:34 PM
#8
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St. Jude Donor '13
With over 100k on your shocks, they have probably softened a fair amount but did it so gradually it's hard to notice. I suspect that new Z51 shocks would "shock" you.
We've owned two Z51 C6's, and I would call the Z51 shocks "brutally stiff". On the bombed-out roads of Illinois, I finally gave in and changed our current 2009 Z51 over to the base model shocks. That means it still has the Z51 springs, sways, and cooler.
The ride is much nicer, especially on the frost heaves that smack both front and then both wheels, every 50'.
On rapid transitions, like an autocrosser would do, it probably loses some handling. But for normal highway driving and occasional spirited runs on a twisty back road, it's still pretty nice.
We've owned two Z51 C6's, and I would call the Z51 shocks "brutally stiff". On the bombed-out roads of Illinois, I finally gave in and changed our current 2009 Z51 over to the base model shocks. That means it still has the Z51 springs, sways, and cooler.
The ride is much nicer, especially on the frost heaves that smack both front and then both wheels, every 50'.
On rapid transitions, like an autocrosser would do, it probably loses some handling. But for normal highway driving and occasional spirited runs on a twisty back road, it's still pretty nice.
12-07-2012, 08:36 PM
#9
"Normal" shocks last about 60,000 miles.
12-07-2012, 08:38 PM
#10
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St. Jude Donor '13
Many folks say the FSD's performed as claimed: softer ride over bumps, but remaining stiff during quick turn-ins.
Others say they are just another stiff shock, can't tell the difference between FSD and Z51.
12-07-2012, 08:43 PM
#11
Race Director
At 55k miles I swapped out z51 shocks for bilstein sport shocks.
Ordered from tire rack,had them installed and bump control is much better.
Ordered from tire rack,had them installed and bump control is much better.
12-07-2012, 09:32 PM
#12
Safety Car
At 43k miles, my 08 Z51 shocks felt a little wobbly around turns and sloppy over bumps. Its a gradual wear over time so some do not notice as much as others. I replaced them with the Bilstein Sports and glade I did. Much more stable around turns and a more planted feel over bumps. I would recommend them highly for the Z51 suspension!
12-08-2012, 08:40 AM
#13
Le Mans Master
Here's an opinion.
To test the shocks dampening, you have to do that once the shock oil is warmed up.
I've found whenever a shock is cold the dampening seems OK not matter the mileage when testing on a bench by hand without a dedicated test machine.
With Sport motorcycles, I can feel the dampening fade at 5000 and an oil change (w/ gas recharge) is necessary.
I've read on the net that some Miata drivers feel their car's shock loss dampening at 20K mileage.
My 05 Z51 has 35K miles and the shocks seem OK.
So perhaps, as above co-members have noted, replacement at 50K might be the maintenance. Road course or highway miles would make a difference in replacement miles too. At 100K, seems shock replacement for the OP would be noticable.
To test the shocks dampening, you have to do that once the shock oil is warmed up.
I've found whenever a shock is cold the dampening seems OK not matter the mileage when testing on a bench by hand without a dedicated test machine.
With Sport motorcycles, I can feel the dampening fade at 5000 and an oil change (w/ gas recharge) is necessary.
I've read on the net that some Miata drivers feel their car's shock loss dampening at 20K mileage.
My 05 Z51 has 35K miles and the shocks seem OK.
So perhaps, as above co-members have noted, replacement at 50K might be the maintenance. Road course or highway miles would make a difference in replacement miles too. At 100K, seems shock replacement for the OP would be noticable.
12-08-2012, 10:22 AM
#14
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Up on a lift, any signs of oil leakage/seepage from any of the four shocks? If not, tires seem to be wearing normally across the entire surface?
12-08-2012, 10:37 AM
#15
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the input guys.
12-08-2012, 10:39 AM
#16
Melting Slicks
I had an 87 Caprice with original shocks and nearly 300,000 miles and an 04
GMC 2500HD with 450,000 miles.
I just replaced (by choice) my 40,000 mile 2008's Z51 shocks with
DRM Bilstein Z06 shocks. They're a lot stiffer in ride but I like
them better around curves, plus they're better for wheel hop and keep the
rear planted for better traction. My original shocks are in a box and still perfect.
If your shocks aren't leaking and you're happy with their ride, don't "fix"
them; they're still good.
JMHO
GMC 2500HD with 450,000 miles.
I just replaced (by choice) my 40,000 mile 2008's Z51 shocks with
DRM Bilstein Z06 shocks. They're a lot stiffer in ride but I like
them better around curves, plus they're better for wheel hop and keep the
rear planted for better traction. My original shocks are in a box and still perfect.
If your shocks aren't leaking and you're happy with their ride, don't "fix"
them; they're still good.
JMHO
12-08-2012, 08:23 PM
#18
Safety Car
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With over 100k on your shocks, they have probably softened a fair amount but did it so gradually it's hard to notice. I suspect that new Z51 shocks would "shock" you.
We've owned two Z51 C6's, and I would call the Z51 shocks "brutally stiff". On the bombed-out roads of Illinois, I finally gave in and changed our current 2009 Z51 over to the base model shocks. That means it still has the Z51 springs, sways, and cooler.
The ride is much nicer, especially on the frost heaves that smack both front and then both wheels, every 50'.
On rapid transitions, like an autocrosser would do, it probably loses some handling. But for normal highway driving and occasional spirited runs on a twisty back road, it's still pretty nice.
We've owned two Z51 C6's, and I would call the Z51 shocks "brutally stiff". On the bombed-out roads of Illinois, I finally gave in and changed our current 2009 Z51 over to the base model shocks. That means it still has the Z51 springs, sways, and cooler.
The ride is much nicer, especially on the frost heaves that smack both front and then both wheels, every 50'.
On rapid transitions, like an autocrosser would do, it probably loses some handling. But for normal highway driving and occasional spirited runs on a twisty back road, it's still pretty nice.