C4 Flex?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 702
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From: York PA
C4 Flex?
When I test drove a C4 for the first time this weekend, I was in heaven. I do have a question. When cornering ther was a very sharp crack coming from the top. At first I thought it was coming from the radio, but it wasn't turned on. Is this normal? Maybe the top wasn't tight enough. The dealer said this is typical. What do you think?
:cheers:
:cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 1
From: Pinellas Florida Misfit
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: C4 Flex? (HTRK-1)
They do flex, but when the top is in, it shouldn't be that bad. Lots of products on the market to help eliminate the flex, but in the case of this car, I'd check for something being loose.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Re: C4 Flex? (Springer's 95)
If the tinted top was in, the windows make a crack sound sometimes. They have never broken on my car, but sometimes they do make the sound when I hit a big hole, or RR tracks. And yes this is with my cross bar in place. I just wish I had the money to waste on a painted top. Anybody know where I can get a painted top for cheap?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,524
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From: Pinellas Florida Misfit
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: C4 Flex? (BAdAzZV8)
Cheap and tops arent normally used together :)
they pop up on the forum's forsale section from time to time.. 450 to 600 seems to be the norm...
There is also a Corvette shop down here that has lots of used parts, might be worth a call. (813)872-6907
they pop up on the forum's forsale section from time to time.. 450 to 600 seems to be the norm...
There is also a Corvette shop down here that has lots of used parts, might be worth a call. (813)872-6907
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: C4 Flex? (HTRK-1)
Hmmm, I would make sure that the bolt holes for the top are not stripped out. No that isn't normal per se, but it isn't unusual. My top has about a 10in break in it now because of the rough roads.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Re: C4 Flex? (Goody)
you could install a cross brace on the chassis to lessen it if the top was securely in place, these cars are pretty rigid but there seems to be a chassis flex problem on most C4's
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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Re: C4 Flex? (vader86)
you could install a cross brace on the chassis to lessen it if the top was securely in place, these cars are pretty rigid but there seems to be a chassis flex problem on most C4's
My roof never comes off either and I still get some flex. How do I know this? Because my interior lights would flicker on and off everytime I hit a sharp corner at a high rate of speed, or anytime I pull in a driveway, I could hear it(something) flexing.
I just learn to live with it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 1
From: Pinellas Florida Misfit
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: C4 Flex? (tntcorvette)
The crossbar took a ton of flex out of mine, even with the top in, but the car still has some. I think the only ways to eliminate it totally would be a roll-bar or a combination of a Camber brace, crossbar and vert's X-brace.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: C4 Flex? (HTRK-1)
I have been toying with the idea of filling the frame rails with high-density autobody foam... it won't add a lot of weight, but should really stiffen, and quiet the structure...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
Re: C4 Flex? (bogus)
I have been toying with the idea of filling the frame rails with high-density autobody foam... it won't add a lot of weight, but should really stiffen, and quiet the structure...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: York PA
Re: C4 Flex? (bogus)
Thanks guys.. I will check the top for tightness. I hope the holes arn't stripped. Why didn't you guys say how awesome these cars are. I just brought it home and I can't get this weird feeling from my stomach. You guys are great. Thanks.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: C4 Flex? (HTRK-1)
I just brought it home and I can't get this weird feeling from my stomach. :cheers:
the foam should work... there is nothing all that important running through there, except lotsa air... DOT won't permit the fuel lines to be contained inside frame rails... I think the harness may go through there... but what are the chances anything will fail with that!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,641
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From: Southern California
Re: C4 Flex? (Springer's 95)
The crossbar took a ton of flex out of mine, even with the top in, but the car still has some. I think the only ways to eliminate it totally would be a roll-bar or a combination of a Camber brace, crossbar and vert's X-brace.
X Brace... check
Crossbar... not yet
Hardtop... check
My car still has a little bit of flexing coming from the rear. I just got a hardtop and it helped a lot. The Camber brace took care of the front hopefully the Crossbar will get that last bit out of the back.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
Re: C4 Flex? (Raysur)
I was just wondering the same thing. My 96' is throwing some serious horses to the wheels, I'm planning a putting my ET streets and heading to the local track soon..My glass top is already started to slightly web crack, I hope when I hit the juice the damn thing does'nt fly off, or shatter in my face :confused: ..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 2
From: Amarillo TX
Re: C4 Flex? (Mr Mojo)
My roof never comes off either and I still get some flex. How do I know this? Because my interior lights would flicker on and off everytime I hit a sharp corner at a high rate of speed, or anytime I pull in a driveway, I could hear it(something) flexing.
I just learn to live with it.
I just learn to live with it.
Dave
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue NE
Re: C4 Flex? (HTRK-1)
my 92 did the same thing when I first got it back in late 94. I was told the top was loose however the torx bolts were already bottomed out. I ended up re-doing the roof seals, actually adding to them in my own way. :D I was then able to tighten the top up to where it eliminated the pops. Having said all this though these cars are still prone to flex, I whole heartedly recommned R-D's cross bar, I have one in mine. ;)
