Changed Rear Shocks - Feels *much* better...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 29,937
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Cruise-In 1-2-3-4-5 Veteran
Changed Rear Shocks - Feels *much* better...
I replaced my rear shocks today. 1993 coupe, FE1 standard suspension. Old shocks were factory Bilsteins with 86,000 miles on them. New shocks are the Vette Brakes and Products 'U.N. blue' Bilsteins, ordered from the Ecklers catalog, supposed to be 20% stiffer than stock.
Changing your own rear shocks is dead easy, btw. Small floor jack, 2 jackstands, 0-100 ft-lbf torque wrench, and metric and English sockets are what you need.
Initial impression is pretty darn good. I don't know if this is due to my original shocks being worn out, but these 20% *stiffer* shocks are giving me a much smoother ride over all kinds of pavement. Besides much less jounce, I'm getting tossed around by broken pavement a whole lot less now, and the rear feels much more planted in hard cornering. This is SOTP only, but I promise, I can really feel the difference. Confidence level has gone up. Ride height didn't change, didn't need any adjustment.
One warning - the two bolts holding the shock bracket to the frame are spec'd at 22 ft-lbfs. They're not kidding. Either these bolts are hardened, or they're pot metal, because I snapped one off at about 50 ft-lbfs and had to drill it out and replace it. Must be pot metal, because I *could* drill it out...
I highly recommend this product for a C4 / FE1 that feels like it's just not handling like it should - worn out, jouncy, gets tossed around by big expansion joints, etc. Three thumbs up!
Now for the spring bolts and cushions...MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!
Changing your own rear shocks is dead easy, btw. Small floor jack, 2 jackstands, 0-100 ft-lbf torque wrench, and metric and English sockets are what you need.
Initial impression is pretty darn good. I don't know if this is due to my original shocks being worn out, but these 20% *stiffer* shocks are giving me a much smoother ride over all kinds of pavement. Besides much less jounce, I'm getting tossed around by broken pavement a whole lot less now, and the rear feels much more planted in hard cornering. This is SOTP only, but I promise, I can really feel the difference. Confidence level has gone up. Ride height didn't change, didn't need any adjustment.
One warning - the two bolts holding the shock bracket to the frame are spec'd at 22 ft-lbfs. They're not kidding. Either these bolts are hardened, or they're pot metal, because I snapped one off at about 50 ft-lbfs and had to drill it out and replace it. Must be pot metal, because I *could* drill it out...
I highly recommend this product for a C4 / FE1 that feels like it's just not handling like it should - worn out, jouncy, gets tossed around by big expansion joints, etc. Three thumbs up!
Now for the spring bolts and cushions...MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Changed Rear Shocks - Feels *much* better... (Matt Black)
Cool...new shocks always make the car feel really good again.
Its a very easy job as you stated and doesnt take long to do them.
How much did these type of bilsteins run you?
I prob wont go for those types since I have the stiff Z51 suspension already but was just wondering about the cost.
I plan to go back to the standard Bilsteins I had before.
Thanks.
Its a very easy job as you stated and doesnt take long to do them.
How much did these type of bilsteins run you?
I prob wont go for those types since I have the stiff Z51 suspension already but was just wondering about the cost.
I plan to go back to the standard Bilsteins I had before.
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Changed Rear Shocks - Feels *much* better... (Matt Black)
Bill, $70 each for the shocks and 0.40 cents for the broken bolt. 
The other catalog companies seem to want around 70-75 a piece or so..
We shall see...
Thanks!
