Suspension upgrade
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Suspension upgrade
I am looking at replacing some of my suspension for a smoother ride, i.e., shocks, tie rods, ect. Need some suggestions.
Since I rebuilt my motor, the car jumps around a lot more on the road then it use to. Not sure if its because more power or what what but going on the interstate isn't as much fun when you have to fight the handling of the car. I am also going to get new tires and an alignment job.
What should I do first and how hard is suspension work if you've never done it before?
Since I rebuilt my motor, the car jumps around a lot more on the road then it use to. Not sure if its because more power or what what but going on the interstate isn't as much fun when you have to fight the handling of the car. I am also going to get new tires and an alignment job.
What should I do first and how hard is suspension work if you've never done it before?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 12,975
Likes: 22
Re: Suspension upgrade (scottw)
I leave the front end work to the experts. Shocks, rear spring I can handle. Buy a kit from any of the major suppliers of Vette parts. I bought from Vette Brakes, Guldstrand Engineering, Muskegon Brake Co and a local auto supply company. Do every thing at the same time, if you can. Less time down.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: Suspension upgrade (scottw)
Suspension work really isn't that difficult. There are a couple of items like installing the bushing in the front a-frames, if you get in that far, but any machine shop can to that for you if you don't think you're up to it. There is a group purchase in the works on a Vette Brakes grand touring suspension setup. I could be mentioning that because I want one more person to sign up so that the deal goes, but it would be a good way to upgrade your suspension. Check out the thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zero...602998#4602998
-Justin
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zero...602998#4602998
-Justin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: Suspension upgrade (scottw)
If you have darting problems, replace the idler arm, increase the caster and rebuild the steering box.
If you are just loose in general, replace everything in the front end, ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings and the above.
This is a royal pain but you will only do it once and you'll be glad you did. If you know which end of a crescent wrench to use, you can do all the above except the control arm bushings, which require a hydraulic press. You can pull 'em and any machine shop can replace then for you for cheap.
Get a Chiltons or a Haynes manual and it's a piece of cake.
If you are just loose in general, replace everything in the front end, ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings and the above.
This is a royal pain but you will only do it once and you'll be glad you did. If you know which end of a crescent wrench to use, you can do all the above except the control arm bushings, which require a hydraulic press. You can pull 'em and any machine shop can replace then for you for cheap.
Get a Chiltons or a Haynes manual and it's a piece of cake.
