Suspension problem '95 FX3 convertible
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4
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From: Springfield VA
Suspension problem '95 FX3 convertible
I'm having problems with my 95 convertible suspension w/FX3. It was almost 3" lower in the front than the rear and especially lower on the drivers side front. I took it to Pallone in Springfield VA and they said it had to be that the springs were going bad. A few of the tech heads at Northern Virginia Corvette Club also said the same thing. 14 year old springs develop fatigue even with less than 45,000 miles.
Pallone replaced the front and read springs and had to use Vette Brakes and Products (VBP) because GM doesn't make the springs anymore and no other manufacturer had any in stock. Pallone had to get three sets of brackets because they kept breaking when they installed the springs and brakets. VBP insisted that they sent the right parts, but finally sent newer brackets and different installation instructions as well as a new front spring; the first VBP front spring was soft and the car sat 2.5" lower in the front. VBP didn't admit to any fault on their part and Pallone ended up eating many hours of labor to finally get it right. After several calls with VBP and different parts, Pallone got my car back on the road.
Well, after one week of driving around town and a couple quick runs up and down I-95 the same thing happened. The front is lower than the rear, especially the drivers side.
It seems hard to believe that there would be spring fatigue on brand new springs.
Could the shims have shifted? Or could the problem be with the FX3 shocks? How can I tell? I got a clean CarFax history report when I bought it in Apr 05.
thank you,
Jerry
95 Bright Aqua Metallic convertible
Pallone replaced the front and read springs and had to use Vette Brakes and Products (VBP) because GM doesn't make the springs anymore and no other manufacturer had any in stock. Pallone had to get three sets of brackets because they kept breaking when they installed the springs and brakets. VBP insisted that they sent the right parts, but finally sent newer brackets and different installation instructions as well as a new front spring; the first VBP front spring was soft and the car sat 2.5" lower in the front. VBP didn't admit to any fault on their part and Pallone ended up eating many hours of labor to finally get it right. After several calls with VBP and different parts, Pallone got my car back on the road.
Well, after one week of driving around town and a couple quick runs up and down I-95 the same thing happened. The front is lower than the rear, especially the drivers side.
It seems hard to believe that there would be spring fatigue on brand new springs.
Could the shims have shifted? Or could the problem be with the FX3 shocks? How can I tell? I got a clean CarFax history report when I bought it in Apr 05.
thank you,
Jerry
95 Bright Aqua Metallic convertible
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
The FX3 shocks are not gas charged so do not hold the weight of the car at all. Ride height should be the same with or without them installed. Did you take any pictures of the original front spring? Did you see any signs of fatigue? Was the car lowered by the PO? Post as many pics of the front suspension and spring mounting points as you can please.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA
Thanks. I'll see if Pallone still has the old spring or a picture or two. It frustrated them to no end, so they may have taken a couple of pictures. I'll have to get it on a lift to take some pictures and will check with the local car/hobby shop on base. One suggestion was that the campher/alignment could be off a bit and Pallone said to drive 500 miles before they do a realignment.
thanks again, Jerry
thanks again, Jerry
