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All 4 F55 shocks leaking... now what?

Old 09-16-2014, 10:23 AM
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corvette-kyle
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Default Now what?

Thanks

Last edited by corvette-kyle; 12-27-2014 at 08:07 AM.
Old 09-16-2014, 10:36 AM
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Sunset-C6
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Spare the illusion get some new F55 shocks & back to stock ride height.
Old 09-16-2014, 11:06 AM
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GW360
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Originally Posted by Illusion Of Progress
After 130k lowered miles all four of my magnetic ride shocks are leaking. Have been looking at coilover setups but I'm not sure I want to spend that much on the suspension. The car is not tracked but I would like to have the option in the future. Have been looking at the pfdat johnny connel stage 1 package. Can I even get this anymore with pfdat closed down? Are these a step down from the magnetic ride shocks? Should I just replace with more f55 shocks? Only concern is I want to keep the car lowered and I know that is bad to run on the mag ride shocks. What would you recommend? Thanks
If you replace with anything but MRC/F55 shocks, you also need to install shock simulators, otherwise the BCM will throw an error code, warn you via the DIC, limit your max speed to 80 mph, etc. The other option is to delete the F55 option via a Tech II scan tool, from what I have been told. The MRC shocks are pretty expensive - around $2000 for 4 last time I looked. But you might be able to scare up a used set for less.

Last edited by GW360; 09-16-2014 at 11:08 AM.
Old 09-16-2014, 11:17 AM
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corvette-kyle
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Originally Posted by GW360
If you replace with anything but MRC/F55 shocks, you also need to install shock simulators, otherwise the BCM will throw an error code, warn you via the DIC, limit your max speed to 80 mph, etc. The other option is to delete the F55 option via a Tech II scan tool, from what I have been told. The MRC shocks are pretty expensive - around $2000 for 4 last time I looked. But you might be able to scare up a used set for less.
That's what I'm thinking - since they're already going to be that much I might as well go for coilovers if anything less is a step down right? I wonder if there is any way to rebuild the shocks
Old 09-16-2014, 11:28 AM
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Default f55

I need a front f55 shock for a 2006, been looking for used and no luck. They may be out there but no one is advertizing them. No rebuilding to my knowledge,
Old 09-16-2014, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Illusion Of Progress
... Have been looking at coilover setups but I'm not sure I want to spend that much on the suspension...
The F55 shocks are probably going to cost you about the same as a set of coilovers. Also, you will have ability the adjust the height as you see fit. Having coilovers on my 2005 (pfadt) and F55 on my 2013, I can tell you the coilovers offer much better handling and control.

Unless you find a retailer with left over pfadt parts, I do not think you will be able to find the JOC package new. Take a look at LG's GT2 coilover kit.
Old 09-16-2014, 11:50 AM
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jimmie jam
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What are you calling "leaking". If there is a "film" on them, that's considered normal (that's what I was told by GM). Are they still working? Do they produce a code? If there is just a lite film on them I wouldn't worry.
Old 09-16-2014, 11:59 AM
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corvette-kyle
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Originally Posted by jimmie jam
What are you calling "leaking". If there is a "film" on them, that's considered normal (that's what I was told by GM). Are they still working? Do they produce a code? If there is just a lite film on them I wouldn't worry.
I was told by two reputable corvette specialists in the area that they need to be replaced pretty bad. One even brought me under my car on the lift and showed me that some small connecting piece (which they explained controls the MR setting) had actually broken off the rear passenger shock. I can still feel a difference in MR settings driving but apparently that shock is stuck in whatever mode it was when it was broken off. These shocks have pretty much reached the end of their lives I think

Surprisingly I have never gotten any kind of DIC suspension error
Old 09-16-2014, 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Homer3D
The F55 shocks are probably going to cost you about the same as a set of coilovers. Also, you will have ability the adjust the height as you see fit. Having coilovers on my 2005 (pfadt) and F55 on my 2013, I can tell you the coilovers offer much better handling and control.

Unless you find a retailer with left over pfadt parts, I do not think you will be able to find the JOC package new. Take a look at LG's GT2 coilover kit.
I'm leaning towards the GT2 kit, but see a set of brand new 1st generation pfadt coilovers in the for sale section for $1500. Do you know how these compare?
After searching through the for sale section I get the impression that $1500 may be a bit high of an asking price

Last edited by corvette-kyle; 09-16-2014 at 12:05 PM.
Old 09-16-2014, 12:11 PM
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Homer3D
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Originally Posted by Illusion Of Progress
I'm leaning towards the GT2 kit, but see a set of brand new 1st generation pfadt coilovers in the for sale section for $1500. Do you know how these compare?
I personally did not have the first gen Pfadt coilovers. I had their featherlight ones. I LOVED them. If I needed new shocks, I would buy them again in a heart beat (if they were still available). From what Pfadt use to say (an some of their customers), the featherlight was a vast improvement over the 1st gen.

I can't really comment on if 1500 for a used first gen Pfadt coilover is a good deal or not. But considering the LG's GT2 come in around $1900 new, I probably would be willing to spend the extra $400 and get new. But that's just me.
Old 09-16-2014, 12:39 PM
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I had the first generation on my C5 and they were awesome and $1500 used is to much. Get the LGs and be done with it
Old 09-16-2014, 12:45 PM
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B y r o n
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How many regular shocks have you seen go 130K miles?

Even if it may not be the best for the mag ride shocks I would think the decision is obvious.
Old 09-16-2014, 10:34 PM
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Gary '09 C6
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especially given the computer complexities of the system...
Old 09-17-2014, 12:26 AM
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I wouldn't purchase a product (pfadt) that no longer has support nor possibly replacement parts.

I run the G2's with their G1 sway bars as well. Great set-up...a little bit of overkill for the street.

Big difference in comfort between MR and coil overs with coil overs being much harsher.
Old 09-17-2014, 07:33 AM
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BSE1956
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Originally Posted by Sunset-C6
Spare the illusion get some new F55 shocks & back to stock ride height.
Old 09-26-2014, 10:01 PM
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Gene Culley
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We could sell you the upgraded C6 Z06 shocks for $276.74 for the set of 4 and then you could use the shock simulators and all is well.
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Old 09-27-2014, 12:15 AM
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The F55 option can be programmed out with a Tech II, and as for shocks, DRM Blisteins are just the ticket. So shocks and De-programing (if you need to go to a dealer for the tech II), your looking at around $550.

Don't get me wrong, coil overs with fully adjustable shocks are a thing of greatness, but 99% of street drivers do not have the talent to set them up correctly, much less know what spring tension/sprig loading is needed to begin with. So the $4K or better you just spent on a suspension to run suggested setting without actual track tuning, pretty much just wasted a ton of money instead.

Also to point out, your throwing a coil over system on a chassis that was not designed for such. You can get away with it on the track since you not going to punish the car that much, but on the street, severely pushing the upper coil over load points (and as said, on a chassis not designed for such to begin with).
Old 09-27-2014, 10:59 AM
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i believe the F55 new from GM run a little over $2k for all four. Here's what i did. my C6 had 94k when i bought it, the shocks were leaking. i ordered the new ones from GM through my friend's shop. before i brought the car in to replace the shocks i lucked out and found a forum member with a '13 Z06 with only a few thousand miles on it and switching to coil overs as he bought the car to track it. it cost me $600 shipped for all four shocks.. what a deal! if you're patient and vigilant you will find a similar deal. i for one having a loaded NPP/F55 '08 didn't want to lose the function/ability offered by the F55 should i resell it down the road.

At 130k miles??? that's a toss up imo.. if it were me, with that many miles and the fact that you are thinking about tracking it in future i would save the extra $1500+ to replace F55 and just go with the simulators and upgraded Z06 shocks Gene brought up. and i would pick them up from him, very good person to deal with!!

then, in a year if you want to track it you could remove the whole setup and sell on here for a few hundred re-coup some cash... best of luck (but keep an eye out for some maniac in a Z06 ridding himself of F55 shocks lol)
Old 09-27-2014, 03:34 PM
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Not sure if it was specifically said, but Pfadt Products is out of biz from about a year or less. Therefore, finding new or used will also mean no support as mentioned above since it's an "orphan" product. Gene Culley seems to have a solution for you. May want to consider it.

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