FX3 question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Farmington UT
FX3 question
I'm trying to troubleshoot my FX3 setup. Following the GM manual on troubleshooting it. The manual calls to remove the actuator & if the **** on the shock rotates a 1/4 of a turn, then the actuator is bad. My shocks the **** goes round & round. The book only calls for a 1/4 turn, what's the deal here?
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 4
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Your shock has a busted rod. on 89-91 cars, the gear on top of the shock should rotate 160/180 degrees, on 92-95, the gear should rotate 90 degrees.
Send them to bilstein for a rebuild.
Send them to bilstein for a rebuild.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
Originally Posted by Jeffvette
Your shock has a busted rod. on 89-91 cars, the gear on top of the shock should rotate 160/180 degrees, on 92-95, the gear should rotate 90 degrees.
Send them to bilstein for a rebuild.
Send them to bilstein for a rebuild.
Shock rod should NOT spin in a complete circle. If I were you, I'd find a set of four USED shocks that fit your year, send THOSE out and have them rebuilt and put them on when they arrive. To do just one shock is not smart.
You can still drive the car in the current condition but it may be a bit sloppy on handling.
The method suggested, you'll have another 50k miles before you have to send your originals out and only a few hours of downtime between changing them out.
Unless you can spare 2-3 for shipping/rebuilding/shipping downtime, the above method in my opinion is the way to go and also what I DID!
Chris
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,908
Likes: 735
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
I guess I didn't realize that the shocks could be rebuilt! Is it that much cheaper than buying new? How long does it take to get them back? Where do you send them? I think I've seen the FX3 shocks in the nieghborhood of $300-400 each (correct?). If they can be rebuilt reasonably that would save a lot and ease my mind somewhat about owning a car with FX3. My fronts were replaced about a year ago (according to the GM records) but no indication about the rears.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 4
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
The rebuild will cost up to 400, depending upon what needs to be done. You can also specify a better valving.
Expect a three week turn around time, and that includes shipping there and back.
Expect a three week turn around time, and that includes shipping there and back.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 13
From: Nine Mile Falls WA
I started a thread for this same reason on the Tech site yesterday. Same advice received.
Ecklers sells replacements for $220 ea - has them in stock. I was told the rebuild would just about equal this price. Good luck,
Ecklers sells replacements for $220 ea - has them in stock. I was told the rebuild would just about equal this price. Good luck,
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
Originally Posted by swifty
Ecklers sells replacements for $220 ea - has them in stock. I was told the rebuild would just about equal this price. Good luck,
I think you were misinformed
Chris
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
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 13
From: Nine Mile Falls WA
I hope I WAS misinformed - and I guess a phone call would answer my question. A forum member posted that Bilstein will charge $150 plus shipping to rebuild one with a broken gear.
I figured I'd have to find (buy) four rebuildable used units plus pay the above charges to avoid living without my ride for the turn-around period. The $220 ea sounded better at first blush. Still haven't decided.
Thanks for the input.
I figured I'd have to find (buy) four rebuildable used units plus pay the above charges to avoid living without my ride for the turn-around period. The $220 ea sounded better at first blush. Still haven't decided.
Thanks for the input.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Farmington UT
Great! That's what I was thinking guys! Penske rebuilt my penske shock for $55ea, I'll call Bilstein tomorrow to see what they recommend. I was told from the previous owner about "morroccan" (sp?) valving. Anyone here every heard of that?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
Originally Posted by Juddclot
Great! That's what I was thinking guys! Penske rebuilt my penske shock for $55ea, I'll call Bilstein tomorrow to see what they recommend. I was told from the previous owner about "morroccan" (sp?) valving. Anyone here every heard of that?
Its a user preference, I went with factory rebuild.
Chris
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Farmington UT
Called Bilstein today. $100 will fix the broken shaft and rebuilt to my needs. I spoke w/the motorsports department, and he recommended the "weekend autocrosser" probably what I'll go with
Tour: Basically stock
Sport:75% firm front, 100% rear (takes out the understeer)
Perf:100% firm
Tour: Basically stock
Sport:75% firm front, 100% rear (takes out the understeer)
Perf:100% firm
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Farmington UT
Called Bilstein today. $100ea will fix the broken shaft and rebuilt to my needs. I spoke w/the motorsports department, and he recommended the "weekend autocrosser" probably what I'll go with
Tour: Basically stock
Sport:75% firm front, 100% rear (takes out the understeer)
Perf:100% firm
BTW:car is a '92
Tour: Basically stock
Sport:75% firm front, 100% rear (takes out the understeer)
Perf:100% firm
BTW:car is a '92
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 13
From: Nine Mile Falls WA
Jack French, Bilstein Rebuilding ((858) 386-5900), quoted $150 minimum for broken gear rebuilding, plus shipping of your choice. Official turn-around quote 7-10 days, actual right now (Tuesday) 4 days.
If you don't want to be out of service Eckler's has them in stock for $220 ea, Mid America for $200 ea, both plus shipping. Maybe you can sell your rebuildable cores on the forum so the next guy won't have to wait on the rebuild turn-around time. (I ordered mine yesterday.)
If you don't want to be out of service Eckler's has them in stock for $220 ea, Mid America for $200 ea, both plus shipping. Maybe you can sell your rebuildable cores on the forum so the next guy won't have to wait on the rebuild turn-around time. (I ordered mine yesterday.)