Shock absorber Qs
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Shock absorber Qs
My car rides and corners a little better than I thought a 22-year-old Chevrolet would. Nonetheless, I'm wondering about the condition of the shocks:
In my opinion, the old "push the fender down and see how many times it bounces" trick is only good for the old land yachts. Not much use for a stiff spring car like a Corvette. I could remove them and try to compress and expand them by hand to see if they still have resistance. At that point however, I may as well have new shocks on hand to slap back on the car.
So, how can you tell if the shocks are shot?
What's the PITA factor in changing shocks on a C3? Looks fairly painless. Is this a weekend job?
Who makes/made silver shocks? Someone here said the OEM shocks may have been black.
Opinions on Monroe shocks? Not looking to build a better Corvette, just want a good shock for the $$$.
Thanks
In my opinion, the old "push the fender down and see how many times it bounces" trick is only good for the old land yachts. Not much use for a stiff spring car like a Corvette. I could remove them and try to compress and expand them by hand to see if they still have resistance. At that point however, I may as well have new shocks on hand to slap back on the car.
So, how can you tell if the shocks are shot?
What's the PITA factor in changing shocks on a C3? Looks fairly painless. Is this a weekend job?
Who makes/made silver shocks? Someone here said the OEM shocks may have been black.
Opinions on Monroe shocks? Not looking to build a better Corvette, just want a good shock for the $$$.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Re: Shock absorber Qs (Neo Fender)
the front is just like any chevy nova chevele camaro (i think the later years or all use the same stuff up front as those too?)
From what I have read the back is fairly easy to change if you get lucky... there are lower mounts that like to lock up with age your best bet would be to search the archives because a few other guys have done this (read as most)
hope someone else has more answers than I
ZD
From what I have read the back is fairly easy to change if you get lucky... there are lower mounts that like to lock up with age your best bet would be to search the archives because a few other guys have done this (read as most)
hope someone else has more answers than I
ZD
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Shock absorber Qs (ZD75blue)
Piece of cake. If you have them on hand I say go for it. I changed mine two days after I got the car. Made a world of difference. The car was really soft in the rear end. Was not a problem on my 70.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1
From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
Re: Shock absorber Qs (Eddie 96)
You might want to check this link ... many members like AC
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/corvette...su-88f-sc.html
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/corvette...su-88f-sc.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Palatine IL
Re: Shock absorber Qs (Neo Fender)
I think the bounce test is still valid. If the shock is shot it will bounce more on the side with a worn out shock.
Changing the shock is pretty easy. The fronts are cake. Loosen and then remove. The rear are easy but the upper shock mount can be a PITA to remove. Not a lot of room the work in. I had to use the NASCAR trick (lock two box wrenches together to get enough leverage to remove the nut.
I have painted silver shocks and they are GR-2 made by KYB for Vette Brakes and Products. They are valved for fiberglass rear springs. I like em. The stock AC Delcos were black. The chrome/silver shocks are usually Carreras and are very expensive.
I've heard a lot of Vette owners are happy with Monroe shocks for the money. KYB is another popular choice.
Changing the shock is pretty easy. The fronts are cake. Loosen and then remove. The rear are easy but the upper shock mount can be a PITA to remove. Not a lot of room the work in. I had to use the NASCAR trick (lock two box wrenches together to get enough leverage to remove the nut.
I have painted silver shocks and they are GR-2 made by KYB for Vette Brakes and Products. They are valved for fiberglass rear springs. I like em. The stock AC Delcos were black. The chrome/silver shocks are usually Carreras and are very expensive.
I've heard a lot of Vette owners are happy with Monroe shocks for the money. KYB is another popular choice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Re: Shock absorber Qs (vettesite)
FWIW one of Guldstrand's employees blasted KYBs when I asked him about them. He essentially called them "poser" high performance shocks. Everyone seems to like Bilsteins, if you are willing to pay that much. I personally, against my better judgement, just bought a set of QA1 (HAL) 12 way adjustable shocks. I was considering Konis, but with the QA1s you can reach under your car, turn a ****, and dial in your settings from extremely mild to extremely harsh. They are rebuildable too, so they will hopefully last as long as me (they better!). Considering the bonus of being able to make your ride smooth for your wife/girlfriend, then in 5 minutes set it up for drag racing or for road racing/performance driving, they really are in a different class from traditional shocks. They cost a total of $580 with bushings, and Summit had them in stock.
The front shocks, on the lowest setting will act like 90/10s (biased). How cool is that! Now your all out drag car can be a daily driver and even a road racer in 30 seconds.
Rob - I now have a set of Comp Eng adjustable front shocks that I bought before I got the QA1s (new in box). Email me if interested.
The front shocks, on the lowest setting will act like 90/10s (biased). How cool is that! Now your all out drag car can be a daily driver and even a road racer in 30 seconds.
Rob - I now have a set of Comp Eng adjustable front shocks that I bought before I got the QA1s (new in box). Email me if interested.
