rough riding c2, help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
rough riding c2, help
still dialing in my new C2, so far so good, however she really jars and shakes on rough roads, I notice the leaf spring is pretty flat, so changing that seems like a good idea, does anyone have an opinion as to best source to get from? or type??? composite/fiberglass? stock style?
what about the front? new shocks?? springs? any other ideas??
any help would be great, I did scour previous posts
also, I put some vasoline on the deck seals to help with the squeaks, can that damage them?
what about the front? new shocks?? springs? any other ideas??
any help would be great, I did scour previous posts
also, I put some vasoline on the deck seals to help with the squeaks, can that damage them?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,121
Likes: 9,434
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Go with all OEM parts. You will be glad you did for a driver car. Also make sure all your bushings are fine too and not wore out. That includes body mount bushings
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
on a stock leaf
still dialing in my new C2, so far so good, however she really jars and shakes on rough roads, I notice the leaf spring is pretty flat, so changing that seems like a good idea, does anyone have an opinion as to best source to get from? or type??? composite/fiberglass? stock style?
what about the front? new shocks?? springs? any other ideas??
any help would be great, I did scour previous posts
also, I put some vasoline on the deck seals to help with the squeaks, can that damage them?
what about the front? new shocks?? springs? any other ideas??
any help would be great, I did scour previous posts
also, I put some vasoline on the deck seals to help with the squeaks, can that damage them?
looking for a softer cruising ride BTW
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 196
From: Wilton Ca.
still dialing in my new C2, so far so good, however she really jars and shakes on rough roads, I notice the leaf spring is pretty flat, so changing that seems like a good idea, does anyone have an opinion as to best source to get from? or type??? composite/fiberglass? stock style?
what about the front? new shocks?? springs? any other ideas??
any help would be great, I did scour previous posts
also, I put some vasoline on the deck seals to help with the squeaks, can that damage them?
what about the front? new shocks?? springs? any other ideas??
any help would be great, I did scour previous posts
also, I put some vasoline on the deck seals to help with the squeaks, can that damage them?
1. I'm with Nowhere Man when it comes to using OEM parts. Get under the car or, if your lucky enough to have access to one, put it up on a lift and look at all the bushings for wear or degradation. Personally, I wouldn't go messing with the body mounts right now unless they're in really bad shape.
2. If you need to replace them, DO NOT use polyurethane bushings no matter how much the vendor touts them!
3. Check with Eaton springs for your rear spring and get a 9 leaf unless you like a stiff suspension.
4. Use a silicon or teflon product on rubber parts. Any petroleum products like Vaseline aren't good for rubber.
5. Check the shocks (front & REAR) by pushing down on each bumper. If the car bounces more than once they probably need replacement (if you're in question as to which type to use, do a forum search as opinions are MANY).
6. Have your wheels balanced and an alignment done.
Gary
Last edited by Gary's '66; Apr 9, 2015 at 01:47 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,693
Likes: 3,683
From: Central Arkansas
Try to post some pictures of the front and rear installed springs so we can see what you currently have on it. If you have a 9-leaf spring now and std coils it's not going to improve any unless bushings are shot. The leaf spring should be pretty close to flat. A better way to judge it is to look at the half shafts. Usually if the spring is OK there will be a little angle down from the differential to the trailing arms. If the half shafts are nearly level when sitting on the suspension then the spring may be worn or incorrect spring link bolts are installed.
Dielectric grease (silicon) works well on rubber seals. Vasaline may not be all that different from it - don't know.
Dielectric grease (silicon) works well on rubber seals. Vasaline may not be all that different from it - don't know.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
pics
Try to post some pictures of the front and rear installed springs so we can see what you currently have on it. If you have a 9-leaf spring now and std coils it's not going to improve any unless bushings are shot. The leaf spring should be pretty close to flat. A better way to judge it is to look at the half shafts. Usually if the spring is OK there will be a little angle down from the differential to the trailing arms. If the half shafts are nearly level when sitting on the suspension then the spring may be worn or incorrect spring link bolts are installed.
Dielectric grease (silicon) works well on rubber seals. Vasaline may not be all that different from it - don't know.
Dielectric grease (silicon) works well on rubber seals. Vasaline may not be all that different from it - don't know.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 196
From: Wilton Ca.
From what I can tell which, isn't much, the stabilizer bushings look pretty good. Could be wrong, but left front tire looks worn on the inside. If you don't have a lift (most of us don't) use a floor jack and 4 good jack stands to look/work on it.
Gary
Gary
Last edited by Gary's '66; Apr 9, 2015 at 01:59 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,935
Likes: 5,477
From: Richardson Texas
Car height looks pretty good. I'm betting a new set of four KYB gas shocks will really smooth out your ride. How old are your tires? They can get very hard (and unsafe) over time. And, as stated, if any bushings are worn out, go with OE rubber...stay away from urethane.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 939
From: Chattanooga Tennessee
I can't tell you how much four inexpensive kyb shocks helped my car handle a few weeks ago.
On another topic...is there a c2 that doesn't ride rough?! It goes with the territory.
On another topic...is there a c2 that doesn't ride rough?! It goes with the territory.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
tires are new
Car height looks pretty good. I'm betting a new set of four KYB gas shocks will really smooth out your ride. How old are your tires? They can get very hard (and unsafe) over time. And, as stated, if any bushings are worn out, go with OE rubber...stay away from urethane.
tires are new Coker classic radials, just had 4 wheel alignment done, car was within all tolerances and adjusted a tiny bit
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Well, which is it? 7 or 9. If it's 7 and the front springs match that 7 leaf is spring rate you have just found out why you have such a firm ride. Congratulations. That could be the factory F 41 suspension package. Shocks are stiff to boot.
Before I started spending a bunch of money on it, I'd have it looked at, in person, by someone who knows Corvettes.
Before I started spending a bunch of money on it, I'd have it looked at, in person, by someone who knows Corvettes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
maybe
should I redo the front springs? what about the 460 touring springs?
I don't mind a a stiff ride, its more on slow , rough country roads , the car chatters, can't be good for the body
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
trim code is F1 4AC
Well, which is it? 7 or 9. If it's 7 and the front springs match that 7 leaf is spring rate you have just found out why you have such a firm ride. Congratulations. That could be the factory F 41 suspension package. Shocks are stiff to boot.
Before I started spending a bunch of money on it, I'd have it looked at, in person, by someone who knows Corvettes.
Before I started spending a bunch of money on it, I'd have it looked at, in person, by someone who knows Corvettes.