Suspension improvements "for now"?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Suspension improvements "for now"?
Until I get to replace or rebuild the entire suspension I want to get some things done "for now" that will give me a better ride...a smoother ride. Will replacing bushings accomplish this? If so, which ones?
I need some opinions, I would like a quick fix to still drive in the next month or so before I get a chance to do everything else and not feel every tiny hole or bump.
Thanks
I need some opinions, I would like a quick fix to still drive in the next month or so before I get a chance to do everything else and not feel every tiny hole or bump.
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 338
Likes: 9
From: South Bend IN
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I would say just wait until you do it all. If you are going as far as changing bushings you will have to have it all apart anyways so you might as well do it all at that time. One bushing you could change that probably needs to be changed is the front differential bushing (some refer to it as the snubber bushing) as these get worn out the increase the amount of squat in the rear and in my case caused rattles.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Until I get to replace or rebuild the entire suspension I want to get some things done "for now" that will give me a better ride...a smoother ride. Will replacing bushings accomplish this? If so, which ones?
I need some opinions, I would like a quick fix to still drive in the next month or so before I get a chance to do everything else and not feel every tiny hole or bump.
Thanks
I need some opinions, I would like a quick fix to still drive in the next month or so before I get a chance to do everything else and not feel every tiny hole or bump.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Smoother ride? Usually, the stock worn out suspension on these old cars makes them ride like a boat, which is to say, "smooth", lol. I would say that if your car is already stiff, then the suspension is....ok? The smoother a suspension is on a sports car, the more worn it generally is. Sounds to me like someone at some point already replaced the shocks, at the very least. Do a test...push down over the wheel wells on the four corners of the car. It should have very little give. If it has little give, then the shocks are fine. Stiff shocks are generally the culprit for a stiff ride, with the springs being second.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Oh, and to actually answer the question....
I found that doing the suspension all at once is the ideal way. A car's suspension is a total package. Replacing an old spring, without replacing the shocks, is going to net little to no results, really. Every piece relies on every other piece. Links in a chain, so to speak.
BUT, the good news is, springs are NOT that expensive, and neither are shocks. So, if I were to start anywhere, I'd start there. ONLY if the car fails the push test.
I found that doing the suspension all at once is the ideal way. A car's suspension is a total package. Replacing an old spring, without replacing the shocks, is going to net little to no results, really. Every piece relies on every other piece. Links in a chain, so to speak.
BUT, the good news is, springs are NOT that expensive, and neither are shocks. So, if I were to start anywhere, I'd start there. ONLY if the car fails the push test.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Change the leaf spring bushings and the differential bushing.
All easy to do and really makes a difference.
Shocks are easy also.
I used rubber bushings to eliminate possible squeaks and Autozone Gabriel Ultra shocks and couldn't be more happy.
Done our annual "drag Main" last night and drove around for 4 hours and the ride was perfect.
All easy to do and really makes a difference.
Shocks are easy also.
I used rubber bushings to eliminate possible squeaks and Autozone Gabriel Ultra shocks and couldn't be more happy.
Done our annual "drag Main" last night and drove around for 4 hours and the ride was perfect.
Last edited by Tim H; Oct 2, 2011 at 10:25 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
Forget saving money on the suspension
Front end suspension kit, ball joints, a-arm bushings, tie rod ends, idler arm etc, $300.00
Front Moog springs, shorter than stock, $60.00
Front sway bar bushings and links, $30.00
Rear steel spring liners, $30.00
Delco Shocks, $140.00
Borgeson steering box, $700.00
Trailing arm bolt and shims, $60.00
Front end alignment, $120.00
The best thing I remember doing to my C3 is having it drive straight, Conner great, quiet ride, quick steering and no leaks on the garage floor.
Get it over with and you will have fun driving the car!
Should have mentioned the Brakes - you need brakes to be safe.
Front Moog springs, shorter than stock, $60.00
Front sway bar bushings and links, $30.00
Rear steel spring liners, $30.00
Delco Shocks, $140.00
Borgeson steering box, $700.00
Trailing arm bolt and shims, $60.00
Front end alignment, $120.00
The best thing I remember doing to my C3 is having it drive straight, Conner great, quiet ride, quick steering and no leaks on the garage floor.
Get it over with and you will have fun driving the car!
Should have mentioned the Brakes - you need brakes to be safe.
Last edited by mikep3; Oct 2, 2011 at 09:10 PM. Reason: Forgot brakes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I would say just wait until you do it all. If you are going as far as changing bushings you will have to have it all apart anyways so you might as well do it all at that time. One bushing you could change that probably needs to be changed is the front differential bushing (some refer to it as the snubber bushing) as these get worn out the increase the amount of squat in the rear and in my case caused rattles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 34
From: Ontario
Polly Out- Rubber In !
They were terrible .
JMO Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
