73' suspension
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
73' suspension
I have a 73' that i've had for year, and i was wondering if any of you guys know what i can do to improve the ride? right now the car handles a rides extremly bad and is all over the road and feels like there is no suspension at all. what can i do to improve it?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Wow! Where to start... Ball joints, idler arm, steering joints/pivots, shock absorbers, steering box, wheel bearings... All, or some, of the list may be your problem in the front end. Then you have trailing arm bushings, wheel bearings and shocks in the back. The tests for all of these would take too long on this thread. My advice is to take it to a reputable alignment service [that works on Corvettes] and pay them to work up a list of suspension needs. It could be as simple as shock absorbers...but likely is not. If your steering components check out OK, you might need an adjustment to your steering box [or a rebuild, if damaged].
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
Wow! Where to start... Ball joints, idler arm, steering joints/pivots, shock absorbers, steering box, wheel bearings... All, or some, of the list may be your problem in the front end. Then you have trailing arm bushings, wheel bearings and shocks in the back. The tests for all of these would take too long on this thread. My advice is to take it to a reputable alignment service [that works on Corvettes] and pay them to work up a list of suspension needs. It could be as simple as shock absorbers...but likely is not. If your steering components check out OK, you might need an adjustment to your steering box [or a rebuild, if damaged].
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
My 73 was the same when I got it. 
I "bit the bullet" and did the following all at once:
1. I bought a complete suspension rebuild kit from vette brakes; 360lb mono spring, 550coils, sway bars, Bilstein shocks, etc.
2. Rebuilt the upper and lower control arms (ball joints, bushings, etc)
3. Rebuilt the power steering assembly; ram, pump, hoses, idler arm, new rag joint, and steering box. If I had it to do over again I would have bought a Steeroids conversion for the steering. I just dont like the old steering system.
4. Rebuilt trailing arms ; new bearings, axles, bushings, e-brake, etc.
5. Rebuilt rear and had gears changed to 3:55s.
6. Had half shafts and drive shaft balanced and installed new u-joints.
That about does it....
Car handles better than new.
Cheers,
Crunch
I "bit the bullet" and did the following all at once:
1. I bought a complete suspension rebuild kit from vette brakes; 360lb mono spring, 550coils, sway bars, Bilstein shocks, etc.
2. Rebuilt the upper and lower control arms (ball joints, bushings, etc)
3. Rebuilt the power steering assembly; ram, pump, hoses, idler arm, new rag joint, and steering box. If I had it to do over again I would have bought a Steeroids conversion for the steering. I just dont like the old steering system.
4. Rebuilt trailing arms ; new bearings, axles, bushings, e-brake, etc.
5. Rebuilt rear and had gears changed to 3:55s.
6. Had half shafts and drive shaft balanced and installed new u-joints.
That about does it....
Car handles better than new.
Cheers,
Crunch
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Start with the safety items first: brakes and steering. Then ball joints and bushings (poly). Then springs, then shocks.
Check Vette Brakes, Zip or Muskegon Brake for package pricing.
This work is not brain surgery - just time consuming and messy. Do it yourself and learn a lot about your Vette while saving $ for the next project.
Check Vette Brakes, Zip or Muskegon Brake for package pricing.
This work is not brain surgery - just time consuming and messy. Do it yourself and learn a lot about your Vette while saving $ for the next project.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,001
Likes: 3,339
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
All of the above! I made a big improvement in the ride on mine when I put Edelbrock shocks on. They have a valve in them that opens up on bad pavement to give a softer ride. But it's closed on smooth roads to keep things nice and stiff........................
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
All good advice. But when you consider buying components, at least evaluate what you will be doing with the car. If you will be road racing on the weekends, by all means, spend the extra buck$ to get adequate equipment for that kind of use. On the other hand, if normal driving is what you will be doing (and the car was designed to be driven and drag raced), then save a few bucks and just replace the components with OEM or direct replacement parts. Keep in mind that for steering and suspension components, brand DOES make a difference. Quality steering components will pay for themselves by not failing in just a few years. NAPA and GM Parts sell quality stuff; others do too, but it may be a little more difficult to be sure. I would NEVER buy important hardware from a corner auto parts store...they just get too much junk from China and other sources.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
yes i realize that but i know it should be a little better than it is right now. I can barely keep it on the road.
