Swift Vette

I just wanted to know if this was normal or if there is something wrong with my car. Everytime I hit a bump it feels like my car is gonna break. There is a ton of construction where I live and a lot of pot wholes and such. some help on whether this is normal or something needs to be fixed would be great. I have an 84 everything is stock. thanks

Caboboy

Don't the '84s have the stiff suspension as standard? If so, that's probably the whole thing

88JDO

I'm not sure this will help but I changed my Bilsteins to KYB's and I lost a lot of the squeeks and rattles.

vader86

If you have an 84, get used to it.

Its normal for the ride to suck. Try moving to Louisiana so you can see some of the worst roads in the country. I hit a pothole every 40ft.

LangstC4

My 85 had similar ride quality when I first got it. It would jar the fillings loose in my head even on small bumps. Not wanting to fix anything so soon after my purchase, I tried to convince my wife (and myself) that is was that way the car was supposed to be. After about 2 weeks ...I broke down and bought new shocks (KYB's in my case). Night and day difference in the ride quality. My car still rides stiff...but in a good way. Lost all the bone jarring, kidney killing ride quality.

You will get a lot opinions on brands of shocks... (whatever fits your budget) but the main thing is to look into it and at least remove one of your existing shocks to check it out. Mine had no resistance left. The springs were taking the bumps... not the shocks.
Have fun...

rws.1

You bought the C4 because it handled like a race car not a sofa on wheels....... suck it up !

mstock

I also have an 84. I thought my 96 T/A road like a tank until I bough this 84. It is possible that new shock might make it a little better, but 84's had a very stiff susspension.

84whitevette

My 84 also rides very stiff. Usually on large bumps I'll hit my head on the targa because she bounces so much. However, she takes corners like nothing else I've ever driven

LaVidaLoca

One thing you might look at is the ride height. I have seen some older C4s with weak springs that were sagging. Check your ride height with other Vettes. If you are too low the suspension will bottom out on a rubber stop and then you get a bone jarring kick in your butt. I lowered mine and found out what happens when you get TOO low The suggestions about new shocks is not a bad idea either. Double check tire pressure while you are at it.

Yeah the ride is stiff, but it should not beat you up. Might help also to ride in someone else's Vette. Fortunately for me I have a lot of friends with Vettes and it helps when you want to know how something should sound, feel, or look. This forum and other Vette owners are invaluable resources.

Good luck.

rightofway

doesn't the z51 package also make the ride rougher
you might wanna see if u got it

your right the roads in louisiana do suck

Swift Vette

Thanks for all the replys. so if I go the route of new shocks you said that KYB is the one I want. What kind exactly did you guys put on your vettes and did you think it was worth it? Thanks

LangstC4

KYB's are relatively low cost alternative. I read a lot of good reviews on the forum...plus they were only about $30 each. I now have them on my 85. I understand they are softer and less precise than some of the other alternatives, including Bilstein (which are also mentioned a lot on the forum)...but they were still a major improvement for me.

kenv

I think you missed the point. My `87,with the Z52 suspension also rides rough, where I feel every bump in the road. I`m dumping the Bilstiens, & going with Monroes to try to soften the ride a bit. I had a `97 Z28, that handled every bit as well as my `Vette, if not better, but it had a better ride with the stock shocks. I also have a `76 `Vette, & it too rides better than the `87

PS the `87 only has 34,500 original miles,so I don`t think the shocks are worn out yet.

Metamando

The suspension on the 1st C4s were very harsh to begin with. I don't know all the answers, but it has to do with spring rates. 1985 Z51 springs were actually softer than 1984 base springs. In checking the book, 101 projects, it seems that by '87, they had settled on a much softer springrate for all Vettes except the FE1 base model, but even then, its much softer than the '84.
Changing the springs is a possibility, as is changing shocks. I went with stiffer Bilsteins in my 88, but the springs are softer to begin with. Hope this sheds a little light.

JAKE

I put KYBs on my 86 last year and the ride is great. For the price you can't beat them.

SummitRacing has the best prices I found. $27.95 each

Jake

rsafier

The 84 has the stiffest spring both in standard and Z51 models. Handles great, but is a b*tch on bad roads. Changing shocks really won't help soften it up that much. If you really can't take it could always swap with someone that wants the stiffer springs.

CentralCoaster

If you have the base model 84, it's the same spring rate as my 85 z51. I dunno if yours came with gascharged shocks, but over time, the gas leaks out, and you lose the cushion they provide, and the shocks actually get stiffer.

I replaced my front bushings and also noticed the ride got quite a bit rougher. Low profile tires will do it too. I'm running 17" wheels, and combined with all of the above, I feel every pebble in the road. But my shocks may be dead too, they're 20 yrs old.

CentralCoaster

BTW, 84-87 and 88-96 front rates can't be compared apples to apples, since they changed the suspension geometry in 88 which increased the mechanical advantage on the spring. They put in stiffer springs to compensate. The cars also got gradually heavier, so that softened the ride even more.

stick91

Not to hijack this thread, but I find this too interesting to pass up. Let's say you had four 'vettes with the Z51 package (84, 87, 91 and 96). Which are the best handling (from best to worse)? Just curious if the change in the 88 suspension was supposed to be an improvement to ride quality or handling (or both).

CentralCoaster

I'd put 89 on top. 96 looks too soft. The major problem I see with the 84, is the rear spring. That ruins ride quality, and probably traction, especially on a low fuel tank. You practically sit over the rear end.