First, some pics, of my '87 C4, for reference.;





The wire in the pics, that's not the brake line, the one that's got the coating / insulation flaking off. I believe that's the front wheel speed sensor for the ABS system? Is that correct?

If so, where do I source a new one from, or, do you all have any recommendations for how to repair the flaking coating? Both sides, up front, are in similar condition, the one pictured is the worse of the two.

I'm not getting any error codes, and the only replacements I've found are on ebay, without any of that coating. So, guessing one of the more rare hard to find parts?

If that's not the part I think it is, what is it, and where do I find it?

I've searched the C4 specific forums, and I've not found much with a recent date pointing me in the right direction. So, I thought I'd start this thread to ask.

Moderators, feel free to move this over to the tech section if it's more appropriate there.

Thanks all.

 

That's the front abs sensor cable, if they work, be careful as they're made from unobtainium
Currently you're not going to find them new or rebuilt unless you stumble into some NOS. Used is possible but it's also hit and miss.

Something I saw a while back on TV and got to thinking about was an ad for a product call FlexSeal. They show it used on gutters, boat etc and it's supposed to both seal and be flexible. I've kind of wondered it might work in situations like this, but have not tried it. I did use some on an awning and it did work so that's encouraging.

Good luck, and don't break them if they're working trying to heavy handed getting them off. They are somewhat fragile and can be stuck from what I've read.

 

I plan on using some smaller diameter split loom for mine. Its only for road debris protection. ie: small stones, sticks etc. Another thought I had was to buy some vacuum line and split it length wise with a razor blade and use a couple of zip ties to keep it secure.

 

That's what I did. 1/4 inch split loom cut long enough to go over the wire boots at the ends. A couple of wire ties and you're good to go.

 

Thanks guys, replacing my shocks this weekend, as they're all the originals, and leaking. I'll go the split loom route as well while I'm doing that.

Appreciate the help, thank you.

 

The FlexSeal might be a very good idea or some of the "brush-able liquid" electrical tape followed by either a split-conduit or split hose of some sort.

 

Yeah, my shopping list for supplies on the way home is;
Liquid Electrical tape
Split loom
Zip ties

Figure the liquid brush on FlexSeal or electrical tape (Plasti Dip) would do for sealing the cracks and flaked away bits. Should have mentioned that, and appreciate the reinforcement of hcbph's thought there.

 

Just to be clear, Plasti Dip and the brush on electrical tape are two different things. For your application I would probably go with the brush on tape.
I am replacing the shocks on my 89 soon, now I will take a closer look at the ABS sensors and see if I need to do the same thing.

 

Plasti Dip manufacturers the liquid electrical tape I picked up. Somewhere along the line I gained the impression it was a new thing they'd brought to market, but there's more manufacturers out there.

Sorry for the lack of clarity there.

I'll let you all know how it works out for me, provide some pics, etc.

Really do appreciate all the help. I'm pretty impressed by how willing you all are to share knowledge.

 

I did not know that, I have always used Star Brite (?) I have only seen Plasti Dip as a paint. Just goes to show, you learn something new everyday.
We are here to help and learn from each other, the only dumb question is the one not asked.

 

Learning multiple new things every day currently. It's been going on at work, with the 5th gen Camaro I bought a couple years ago, and now this Corvette. Constant educational opportunities keep my life interesting.

 

Just noticed something in the Moroso catalog. They have a self-vulcanizing tape #72038. Might be just the ticket for a situation like this.

Hope that helps.

 

I have used liquid electrical tape before and it was very stiff, hard, when cured and would not flex, I would think on the sensor wire it would have to flex when turning from left to right. I do not remember what brand it was, but worked well on sealing solderless connectors. Plastic Dip may be more forgiving.

 

Thanks to Hilflos, I replaced the shocks today and guess what ? The LR ABS sensor wire was completely exposed. A short piece of split loom later and we are good to go.

 

Won't bore you with the details, spent Saturday and Sunday swapping shocks and re-weatherproofing the ABS wheel speed sensors on the Corvette.

Highlights, the need for an 18mm socket and box wrench. It was the one size not in my possession. All four wheels, as well as the nearby... everything, were caked in what results after the shocks leak all their oil, brake dust and grease accumulate over that, and then bake in Georgia heat for a couple years. Thirty year old bolts that haven't been touched since the factory, take some persuasion. Brake Clean stings in cuts.

The car is transformed. A lot of squeaks and rattles have gone away. The ride is far better, of course, and I'm pretty much committed to getting the wind and water leaks corrected in the cabin, as the wind noise is now the biggest noise pollution factor. At highway speeds you can still hold a conversation over it at normal speaking volume, it's just present.

Pics;
Liquid electrical tape applied over existing weatherproofing remnants;


Taped (self-amalgamating electrical tape);


Split loomed and zip tied


Old vs. new shock (all four were wasted, no resistance to movement at all)



I'll keep an eye on the sensors going forward.

Since I broke off for the evening Saturday, and got back to work Sunday morning, I had the two front sensors just coated in liquid electrical tape, and drying overnight. They seemed flexible enough while tape wrapping them, but that was only about nine hours of dry time. I'll examine them for flexibility over the course of the week.

Thanks for the heads up there A Peter C4.

Sorry for nothing posted until today, but after all of that, all of the house and yard work over the weekend, by the time I got to a point where I could sit and do nothing for an evening, yesterday, that was the priority.

 

How many miles on old shocks? Was it driven alot over rough roads? Just wondering as I have 104000 on my 94 and I think they are original B6 bilsteins.I think I will disconnect the rears at the bottom and hand test to see if still gas charged. Then test fronts if rears are iffy. Nice job on the abs wires. Are you happy with new bilsteins?

 

The car currently has 26,500 miles on it. It had just over 25,000 when I picked it up from my folks at the end of March. The shocks had let go before then. I really should have looked at them before I did. I took a couple things on faith I simply shouldn't have.

I'm 90% certain they were the original shocks. Dad doesn't recall them having been replaced. None of the records he handed over with the car indicate they had been either. Dad was the original owner.

I am thrilled with the new Bilsteins. The car rides far better. So much so, it's really difficult for me to describe. The symphony of squeaks and rattles has been reduced to nearly nothing. The wind noise from the weatherstripping being thirty years old is the most audible thing while driving, unless I hit a severe bump of some sort. Cornering is far more composed.

Between a tuneup, and these shocks, the car has gone from something I was treating as a long term project, a family heirloom to be restored and preserved, to something I enjoy driving for its own sake. It still needs some work before it's something I'd call, "good," but I'm looking forward to that work now.

 

So that tells me, I NEED new shocks I don't think anyone has changed them, they look original as far as age looking, sounds like I'm in for a great upgrade, improvement in ride quality. I'm going to take a chance and try a complete set of Hilex that I saw on e bay but I just looked at my watch list and they are gone ,$500+ worth of shocks on special sale for $199. Dam I missed them.

 

When I was looking into shocks, the consensus around here seems to be Bilsteins or KYB's. The KYB's are about $200 a set over at Eckler's, if I recall correctly.

I went with Bilsteins because they were what was on the car, and another 100 bucks on a car I'm starting to think of as a mild restoration, rather than just getting it back in decent shape, wasn't really worth worrying about.

I'm pretty close to 1k in parts so far, between various interior bits, the tune up, and shocks. I figure there's another grand or two in weatherstripping, stereo replacement or refurbishing (bose static syndrome), potentially a new throttle body if my cleaning / rebuild doesn't wind up successful, and other little odds and ends.

That's just getting it back to stock or a little better condition.

Like I said above though, it's really starting to grow on me as I fix obvious problem areas. It's going from a sentimental attachment for my Dad's car that we went to Daytona and Bloomington in, to my nice weather, top off cruiser that I'm rather attached to for its own sake.

Hard to overstate just how much difference a tune up and new shocks have made. It was a very clean, garage kept, one owner low mileage (25k) car a month ago. Now it's a reliable, fun, means of transport, and as soon as I replace the weatherstripping, it could be daily driven, if I were of a mind to.

 

Just had a complete weatherstripping replacement along with outer window sweeps that it needed dearly, now nice and tight now water leaks when washing. Did opti. and waterpump, plugs and wires last summer now I would take this car across country and feel confident 94 C4 104,000 miles. Also other things fluid wise.