Suspension Performance
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
Suspension Performance
Hi, I'm new to the Forum and would appreciate your info and experience on this. . .
I purchased a 1994 with 16,000 miles about a year ago (have owned 1972, 1992, and now the 1994). Love the car!!! Black on Black coupe, beautiful condition. The car has relatively new Goodyear GS D3 Eagle F1 Tires. It has the basic, original suspension. When I am driving 45 MPH or faster and hit a rough spot on the road (several feet of bumps/repaved spots) the wheels seem to skip over the rough spots and it feels that I am losing traction with the road. It seems unsafe. I just don't remember this with my previous corvettes. Is the suspension a problem, the tires, or is this typical of this year's tight suspension? Thanks for your feedback.
Dr.Rich
I purchased a 1994 with 16,000 miles about a year ago (have owned 1972, 1992, and now the 1994). Love the car!!! Black on Black coupe, beautiful condition. The car has relatively new Goodyear GS D3 Eagle F1 Tires. It has the basic, original suspension. When I am driving 45 MPH or faster and hit a rough spot on the road (several feet of bumps/repaved spots) the wheels seem to skip over the rough spots and it feels that I am losing traction with the road. It seems unsafe. I just don't remember this with my previous corvettes. Is the suspension a problem, the tires, or is this typical of this year's tight suspension? Thanks for your feedback.
Dr.Rich
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
Your shocks may be shot. A new set of good shocks will do wonders for a suspension. I'm not saying yours is shot. I'm only saying that if the shocks are original, you may want to change them regardless. You just may find the problem has disappeared. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
With the shocks. Also what is your tire pressure? I believe OEM spec is 30 front and rear, which is what I run. Some others say they do better with 35 psi. Bottom line is the higher the psi over OEM specs the harsher the ride.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Newtown PA
Originally Posted by DrRich
Hi, I'm new to the Forum and would appreciate your info and experience on this. . .
I purchased a 1994 with 16,000 miles about a year ago (have owned 1972, 1992, and now the 1994). Love the car!!! Black on Black coupe, beautiful condition. The car has relatively new Goodyear GS D3 Eagle F1 Tires. It has the basic, original suspension. When I am driving 45 MPH or faster and hit a rough spot on the road (several feet of bumps/repaved spots) the wheels seem to skip over the rough spots and it feels that I am losing traction with the road. It seems unsafe. I just don't remember this with my previous corvettes. Is the suspension a problem, the tires, or is this typical of this year's tight suspension? Thanks for your feedback.
Dr.Rich
I purchased a 1994 with 16,000 miles about a year ago (have owned 1972, 1992, and now the 1994). Love the car!!! Black on Black coupe, beautiful condition. The car has relatively new Goodyear GS D3 Eagle F1 Tires. It has the basic, original suspension. When I am driving 45 MPH or faster and hit a rough spot on the road (several feet of bumps/repaved spots) the wheels seem to skip over the rough spots and it feels that I am losing traction with the road. It seems unsafe. I just don't remember this with my previous corvettes. Is the suspension a problem, the tires, or is this typical of this year's tight suspension? Thanks for your feedback.
Dr.Rich
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I throw my vote in with the "shocks" crowd.
My FE1-suspension C4 was experiencing exactly the same thing with the 56K miles Bilsteins. New Edelbrocks did not cure it. New adjustable KONI Sports did.
(set them up exactly as resipsa did 
)
Larry
code5coupe
My FE1-suspension C4 was experiencing exactly the same thing with the 56K miles Bilsteins. New Edelbrocks did not cure it. New adjustable KONI Sports did.
(set them up exactly as resipsa did )Larry
code5coupe
Last edited by rocco16; Jul 14, 2006 at 10:22 AM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
I am going to pursue these recommendations for replacing the shocks. Do you feel the koni sport adjustables are significantly superior to the KYB in terms of solving this problem. They are pretty expensive, but I definitely want to solve this. ONE MORE VARIABLE: The Goodyear GS D3 Eagle F1 tires that are on my car have a psi of 45 (max 53). Could this particular tire be contributing to the hard skipping or is it entirely the shocks in your opinion?
Thanks again, DrRich
Thanks again, DrRich
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Your tire pressure is WAY too high. 30-35 psi is recommended. Also check into shocks, but I wouldn't go with KYB's unless you're on a budget (then they're a good buy).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
Does anyone have the Goodyear GS D3 Eagle 1 tires? What PSI do you have them inflated to? The max PSI is labeled at 51. Mine are at 45. Can I take them down to 30-35? It is suggested that it may help solve the hard ride and skipping over bumps. I am also pursuing the new shocks.
DrRich
DrRich
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 741
Likes: 37
From: Athens, GA
Originally Posted by DrRich
Does anyone have the Goodyear GS D3 Eagle 1 tires? What PSI do you have them inflated to? The max PSI is labeled at 51. Mine are at 45. Can I take them down to 30-35? It is suggested that it may help solve the hard ride and skipping over bumps. I am also pursuing the new shocks.
DrRich
DrRich
Rich -
I have the exact tires on my '95, and I run them at 30 PSI. You probably also need shocks, but lowering the pressure in the tires will help.
Steven
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
It is not the tire on the car that dictates what pressure you should have in the tires. See the posts above and do this test:
lower the tire pressures all around to 30-32 pounds COLD, meaning early in the morning BEFORE you've taken it out for a drive.
go out for a drive.
See how it feels, drives, handles.
Come back and decide if you still need shocks. If so, buy them. If not, you now know what was wrong.
Tell us wha' hoppen! Gracias.
lower the tire pressures all around to 30-32 pounds COLD, meaning early in the morning BEFORE you've taken it out for a drive.
go out for a drive.
See how it feels, drives, handles.
Come back and decide if you still need shocks. If so, buy them. If not, you now know what was wrong.
Tell us wha' hoppen! Gracias.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 12
From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I am running the GY GS D3s on my 96 LT4 CE Coupe. I have always run 30 lbs. air pressure. Vette rides great. No handling problems!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
I'm gonna bet most of what you are experiencing is too much air pressure in your tires, not shocks. I have a Z51 with sport Bilsteins and the ride is firm but well behaved. I run 32 psi cold pressure.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
Thanks for the great feedback, it is much appreciated! I dropped the PSI in the tires to 33 (from 45) and there is definitely a significant difference. The car handles MUCH better, no question. The ride is still a little tight though and hits some of those bumps pretty hard. SO. . .do I replace the shocks??? And if so, do I go KYB or Koni Sport? What's your advice?
DrRich
DrRich
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa Ontario
Your not experiencing bump steer. Bump steer is caused by changes in toe settings which is not a function of the shock absorbers. Drop your tire pressures one more pound and drive it. From what you said, your car is havng issues with the "rebound" on the shocks. Its shot and won't allow the car to regain its position after a bump.
If this is so, the KYB shocks are adequate and thats all, but lets face it, your driving a corvette designed especially to work with the Bilstein shocks. When GM slapped them on the corvette all eyebrows went up in the sutomotive world. These are the same shocks used on Porsche, Audi, and BMW. Don't overlook a replacement set at 400 dollars for all 4 from Mid America. You can also order the Z51's which will fit.
Koni yellows are probably one of the best shocks made for the price but are a bit pricy. Whats it worth for your corvette to handle properly. You decide. This is a purebred racebred sports car. Enjoy your ride to its fullest extent.
If this is so, the KYB shocks are adequate and thats all, but lets face it, your driving a corvette designed especially to work with the Bilstein shocks. When GM slapped them on the corvette all eyebrows went up in the sutomotive world. These are the same shocks used on Porsche, Audi, and BMW. Don't overlook a replacement set at 400 dollars for all 4 from Mid America. You can also order the Z51's which will fit.
Koni yellows are probably one of the best shocks made for the price but are a bit pricy. Whats it worth for your corvette to handle properly. You decide. This is a purebred racebred sports car. Enjoy your ride to its fullest extent.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
Thanks for helping me along with my 94, 16,000, black beauty. Update: I dropped the PSI to 30, a major improvement on the ride and bumps. Visited my local mechanic today regarding the shocks (original Bilstein). Both front shocks are leaking and need to be replaced (will change all four). I am planning to buy KYB unless you guys strongly recommend otherwise. HOW MUCH SHOULD I EXPECT FOR THE LABOR?
Thanks again,
DrRich
Thanks again,
DrRich
