C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

bone jaring ride

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 26, 2002 | 05:05 PM
  #1  
insanegt1's Avatar
insanegt1
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Clifton co
Default bone jaring ride

Anyone got an idea why my 86 rides like a two ton truck??and what to do about it.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2002 | 05:08 PM
  #2  
Kale's Avatar
Kale
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

1) Because it's a sports car designed in the mid 80's with an awesome (but not docile) suspension and a somewhat "loose" frame.

2) Enjoy the ride! If your shocks are bad, your ride will firm up a bit by replacing them. Bilsteins for handling, but KYBs ride nice (although dont handle as well, but are cheaper.) Also check your tire pressure, maybe its too high?
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2002 | 06:28 PM
  #3  
don hall's Avatar
don hall
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

Give us a hint as to your tire pressure, and the type of shocks you have installed.....
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2002 | 06:32 PM
  #4  
GDP's Avatar
GDP
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,370
Likes: 0
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

Could be springs or shocks going out.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2002 | 11:08 PM
  #5  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,125
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

If its Z51, then its supposed to.

Buy new shocks, yours are probably worn out. Bilsteins are good for a autocrosser and road handling. Edelbrock IAS and KYB for a softer ride, but realize youll lose some handling.

The leaf springs can also wear out over time, it may be time for a replacement. You can drop down to the base spring to soften things up instead of the Z51.

Also be sure that the tire pressure is around 32-35psi.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 01:13 AM
  #6  
NBM LS1 M6's Avatar
NBM LS1 M6
Team Owner
20 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 128,074
Likes: 42
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

If it's a Z51, enjoy the ride. Some of us want a Z51.
:D:confused::D
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 02:32 AM
  #7  
flyinace2000's Avatar
flyinace2000
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 0
From: NJ
St. Jude Contributor
Default Re: bone jaring ride (NBM LS1 M6)

I love the feel of my 84 (non Z51). Handles like its on rails. My friends are always amazed how well it takes corners (one drives an SUV). Much fun Much Fun :cheers:
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 11:10 AM
  #8  
insanegt1's Avatar
insanegt1
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Clifton co
Default Re: bone jaring ride (NBM LS1 M6)

How do you tell if its a Z51??Do not have the builtsheet.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 11:21 AM
  #9  
Gary04Z06's Avatar
Gary04Z06
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,199
Likes: 9
From: St. louis, MO
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

How do you tell if its a Z51??Do not have the builtsheet.
Look on the RPO sheet in the rear glove box, it should say Z51 if you have it. Also, the Z51 is 2 to 2 1/4 complete turns of the steering wheel. Z52 is 2 3/4 complete turns.
Sports cars ride rough, makes them handle better, if you want a soft ride, maybe trade it for a Caddy. :cheers:
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 04:56 PM
  #10  
insanegt1's Avatar
insanegt1
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Clifton co
Default Re: bone jaring ride (Gary96LT4)

When I say boan jaring I mean that every piece of plastic and trim is either broke or split. This vett has only 86000 on it and is in perfect condition. Springs and shocks are like new as well as the tires. I also own a caddy and a number of other sports cars. So I don't want another caddy just ideas.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 10:23 PM
  #11  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,125
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

When I say boan jaring I mean that every piece of plastic and trim is either broke or split. This vett has only 86000 on it and is in perfect condition. Springs and shocks are like new as well as the tires. I also own a caddy and a number of other sports cars. So I don't want another caddy just ideas.
Well there really isnt anything to do about it if the springs, shocks and tire pressure are all good as you say.

You can replace bushings, but they make little difference in comparison.

Drop down to the base suspension, and buy some cheapo shocks if you want it fixed. Otherwise deal with it.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 10:32 PM
  #12  
CowboyNVette's Avatar
CowboyNVette
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 0
From: Pineville, Louisiana
Default Re: bone jaring ride (vader86)

You can lower your air pressure in your tires too. I have seen some lower to 28 lbs just to get a smoother ride, but you sacrifice tire life too that way. If you are running a lower tire pressure you will get more sidewall flex which in turn heats up the tire. The more heat you run in a tire the less tire life you will have so its up to you. :yesnod:

Your best bet is to buy some cheaper shocks but keep in mind , since you aren't wanting a autocross car, that you will lose some of that cornering on a rail sensation too. One thing will help, buy a newer C4...the 96 is supposed to have the softest ride. :lol:


[Modified by CowboyNVette, 9:33 PM 12/27/2002]
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 11:45 PM
  #13  
Hamert's Avatar
Hamert
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Ashford CT
Default Re: bone jaring ride (CowboyNVette)

My ex's 85 with 59k on it handled nice and all, but every bump you went over the whole car rattled. Stuff inside, stuff outside, stuff underneath. She had a few broken pieces of plastic too. My 96 with 59k on it rides sweet. In fact, everyone I have taken in it for a spin has commented on well it rides for a sports car. Some of those same people rode in the 85 and they all said it was a rattle trap. Get a newer one I guess??? Oh yeah, no offense to you earlier year C4 owners. Driving the 85 is what made me want one, rattles and all. Besides, I don't know much about the history of that 85. It was definitely fun to drive! :thumbs: I am sure they made many small changes and improvements over the years, but my '96 has it's share of rattles too. I think every car has some squeaks and rattles somewhere or another. Good luck! :)

Oh yeah, post your VIN# and I'll give you all the options it has and let you know what warranty work was done to the car. :cheers:


[Modified by Hamert, 11:47 PM 12/27/2002]
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2003 | 12:25 AM
  #14  
WAYWRONG's Avatar
WAYWRONG
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: GRAFTON WI
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

Bone jaring is good you can not fall asleep at the wheel.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2003 | 12:32 AM
  #15  
November Soul's Avatar
November Soul
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

Look underneath for the extra braces.

Like this one I bent http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/nov...l/bent_bar.jpg
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2003 | 09:44 AM
  #16  
drvette85's Avatar
drvette85
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Port Moody BC
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

I still remember purchasing my 85. I had sore kidneys for a couple months!!!
But ... I wouldn't give up this bone jarring ride for nothing!!!

:seeya
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2003 | 12:52 PM
  #17  
Zora's Avatar
Zora
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,839
Likes: 0
From: Louisville,KY
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

If you want a soft ride.....install new springs and shocks from VetteBrakes. They will fix you up......just tell them what you want. :yesnod: :cheers:
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2003 | 01:25 PM
  #18  
Torch Red's Avatar
Torch Red
Team Owner
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 41,484
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '09
Default Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)

Although not the same year, etc. I had specifically serched for (and obviously found) that Z51 option in the 96 (shown in my current sig) It absolutely rides differently then the base as well as select-a-ride but it was what I deliberately wanted in this particular purchase for my collection.

Yes some people have commented it is not a soft ride, etc.

The RPO decal in the cubby hole lid told me what I wanted to know. Z51
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To bone jaring ride





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:33 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE