Folks, I hope someone can help me out here because I'm thoroughly frustrated and discouraged at this point.

My 91 came with FX3 but the prior owner replaced the shocks with some cheap aftermarket units. Fortunately the actuators and controllers remained, but all the shock related parts are missing.

I've obtained new FX3 shocks and had the actuators upgraded by Captain ZNC, but I've been trying for 7 months now to obtain the necessary rubber parts to complete the install. I've run up against several problems in the process:

1. I lack the orginals to use as a model for what is right and the order of installation
2. The factory service manual for that year doesn't show the specific parts or their order required for the rear.
3. I've looked at several magazine articles as well as the write up in the 101 project book and each one either differs in what they show or doesn't go into enough detail or both.
4. The GM Parts ordering photos for the rear are in error in several respects (I could tell a long story on how both I and my local dealership now know this).
5. GM has discontinued most of the rubber "isolators"
6. No individual Corvette catalog has all the parts and when one does order, half the parts are mislabeled or don't work with the other parts I've been able to obtain (I now have over half a dozen front upper grommets which have been variously advertised and labled as anything from front upper to front lower to rear upper---I have a similar number of rubber bushings that are identical but have been labeled as rear upper and rear lower, but won't work with the used lower grommets that appear to be correct).
7. One specialty supplier that advertises here says they can obtain the parts but won't maintain communication and hasn't shipped for over a month after I made the order.
8. I've been to three local (S.F. Peninsula) Corvette "specality" repair shops and not a one of them really knew what was required or had the needed parts. I don't want to even go into some of the really outlandish pronouncements some of these "experts" have made.
9. Thus far I haven't even been able to get a complete set via salvage, though I do now have four used cups and may have some used front lowers and possibly some used rear lowers, but again I can't confirm these are really the right parts and the rear parts don't work together with some of the new stuff that was sold to me.

And today I thought I had managed to get in the proper set of rear lower grommets from Vintage Parts (ordered through my GM dealer using the officicial GM part number) only to find they are entirely the wrong part and won't even fit over the shock shaft.


So, any help I can get in obtaining photos of the exact parts, or ideas for other sources than GM and the big Corvette Suppliers, or anyone who might have a complete set they would sell, would be MOST APPRECIATED.

TIA

 

Try calling Bilstein in San Diego, Ca. I bought spare rubber for all four of my FX-3 shocks from them a few years ago.

Shock #: BA5-7027 Front
BA5-7028 Rear

Bushing #: 98152GX Front
98153GX Rear

Phone #: 858-386-5900 ask for parts or repair Dept.

I hope this helps you.

 

Try this place. They're a sponsor here.

http://www.vette2vette.com/

 

Thanks Dana & Slicked.

I hadn't considered going direct to Bilstein thinking the parts were too Corvette specific (did you know this system was used on Ferrari's too?), but it's good to know that may be the definitive source. I'll call them Monday.

I've used Vette to Vette before with really good results. I'll try them as a back up.

I was just really frustrated yesterday when I finally thought I had some correct new parts come in only to learn they couldn't possibly fit over the FX3 shaft and that the GM parts diagram and order numbers were hopelessly incorrect.