"77" with a stiff ride"

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Mar 9, 2015 | 11:00 PM

Dusty Roads

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7th Gear

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"77" with a stiff ride"

Hey Folks, I've got a "77" that is in very good shape. She's in the garage waiting for winter to come to an end. The only thing that bugs me is the ride. It's very stiff and I was wondering if a new set of shocks would be good to help? There's only 67,000 miles on it and it's got the original shocks. If anyone thinks that this would help, could you give me a suggestion on brand of shocks?

Thanks, Dusty

Mar 10, 2015 | 12:18 AM

doorgunner

2026 Loser of the Year

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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna

Stiff.......as in----you feel every little bump on a street?

or.........

Stiff.......as in---the shocks bottoms out often?

I don't drive aggressively on curvey backroads so I installed Momroe SensaTrac shocks.....the car now rides like our Escalade. I don't feel any small bumps but there is a small amount of body roll compared to OEM shocks.

Mar 10, 2015 | 05:19 AM

Rotonda

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2006

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From: Rotonda FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty Roads

Replacing the stock metal spring with a fiberglass spring - 300 lb. - will also result in a softer, more supple ride.

Mar 10, 2015 | 07:13 AM

mds3013

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2009

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The original shocks should be black and have a spiral depression on the inner tube. IIRC. Remove the shocks and see if you can easily compress them. When they compress easily with human power then they are shot. My '77 does not have a harsh ride with stock springs. I used AC Delco replacement shocks. They are good enough for me. mike...

Mar 11, 2015 | 07:21 PM

qwank

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2011

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From: Southern NH

Sports cars tend to have stiff suspensions per design.

Mar 12, 2015 | 02:12 PM

sullyman56

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2013

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From: Scottsdale Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwank

Sports cars tend to have stiff suspensions per design.

My 77 has a stiff ride too, but I like it the way it is. If it rode like my Yukon, I don't think I'd care for it.

Mar 12, 2015 | 02:22 PM

Jud Chapin

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2001

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From: Wellington, FL

St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25

If they are the original shocks, after 67k miles and 38 years, I'd say they're toast.

Mar 12, 2015 | 10:49 PM

jso789

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From: New York

I had a set of shocks about 20 years old on my '81 when I first got it and they were completely shot to the point where they wouldn't even rebound when I compressed them after I took them out. I can only imagine original '77 shocks cant be much better. I replaced mine with AC Delco eBay vendor shocks and the difference in ride quality was very noticeable. Its still definitely not a Cadillac ride, but its much better than the lumber wagon it was before I changed the shocks