How can I test the shocks?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Sacramento, CA USA
How can I test the shocks?
I have a good friend working on my 1990 Coupe which has been in storage for about a year and a half on the opposite end of the country from me. He is telling me that it needs new shocks, and I'm generally inclined to agree with his assessment over mine mechanically, but I'm wondering if he just isn't used to the stiff ride of a C4.
I'm pretty sure that the shocks are the ones that came from the factory, but I can't remember for certain. He hasn't said anything about them leaking. Is there a simple test to tell if it's just a stiff ride or if it's bad shocks?
I'm pretty sure that the shocks are the ones that came from the factory, but I can't remember for certain. He hasn't said anything about them leaking. Is there a simple test to tell if it's just a stiff ride or if it's bad shocks?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Push hard quickly and several times on front and rear of car to get it moving up and down and let go. If the car makes more than 1 and 1/2 bounces, the shocks are worn out. Drive a vette with good shocks and then drive yours, bad shocks are obvious.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Sacramento, CA USA
Thanks JFB! Now that you mention it, I seem to remember my father giving me the same advice about 20 years ago.
My buddy took another look and thinks it's the bushings, not the shocks.
My buddy took another look and thinks it's the bushings, not the shocks.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
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If you're shock shopping...don;t go cheap !
you get exactly what you pay for in shocks. The general consensus is to use Bilsteins...they're yellow, they're expensive @ $75- $100 each but they are gaurenteed to be the best available and they can be set up for your driving style. Rebuildable too. Stay away from KYB...Kill Your Back. THOSE are hard shocks,....
you get exactly what you pay for in shocks. The general consensus is to use Bilsteins...they're yellow, they're expensive @ $75- $100 each but they are gaurenteed to be the best available and they can be set up for your driving style. Rebuildable too. Stay away from KYB...Kill Your Back. THOSE are hard shocks,....
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If you're shock shopping...don;t go cheap ! you get exactly what you pay for in shocks. The general consensus is to use Bilsteins...they're yellow, they're expensive @ $75- $100 each but they are gaurenteed to be the best available and they can be set up for your driving style. Rebuildable too. Stay away from KYB...Kill Your Back. THOSE are hard shocks,....
KYB's are NOT HARD.
They're just plain SOFT! And IMHO, junk!
A good price for Bilstein sports is $C per corner. And thats cheap if you can find it.
If the shocks are >10 years old or >50,000 miles, just change them.
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Jun 4, 2011 at 01:22 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
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From: Naples Campania
It's up to you what shocks you get depending on road conditions, how you drive your car, and how often you drive the car.
Me? I automatically avoid anything that isn't fresh and open road. I don't drive it much and when I do.... I'm not going to incriminate myself.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Sacramento, CA USA
The shocks were fine, it was the bushings. But to resolve the problem I bought cheap-o Autozone shocks. I thought I had Bilstein in there to start with. Turns out they were Monroe. I've got other things to fix right now so I'll wait tilll the fall or next spring and buy some Bilsteins. RIght now I need to spend some money buying bushings for the rest of the suspension. Just about every bushing on the car is worn out.
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From: Athens AL
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If you can stand some squeakiness, then get poly bushings. If you want ride comfort and to replace them again in 15 years, get rubber.
You'll have to lube the polys often if you dont want them to squeak.
You'll have to lube the polys often if you dont want them to squeak.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Sacramento, CA USA
Of course, I've noticed that making out in a C4 is nearly impossible.
Instructor
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From: Charleston WV
Did you replace Monroes with other Monroes? I am interested ot hear what you think of them. Prothane bushing kit is inexpensive, I had Energy in my Civic for three years and it did not squeak at all. I wonder if Prothane sequeaks. I have the kit but my bushings are fine (so says the mechanic).
The shocks were fine, it was the bushings. But to resolve the problem I bought cheap-o Autozone shocks. I thought I had Bilstein in there to start with. Turns out they were Monroe. I've got other things to fix right now so I'll wait tilll the fall or next spring and buy some Bilsteins. RIght now I need to spend some money buying bushings for the rest of the suspension. Just about every bushing on the car is worn out.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: MA
If we can still buy gas and drive gas powered cars in 15 years, I'll probably give it to my son. Squeaky bushings means he can't make out quietly in his car when he is supposed to be alone in his bedroom studying. Poly it is!
Of course, I've noticed that making out in a C4 is nearly impossible.
Of course, I've noticed that making out in a C4 is nearly impossible.
Corvettes will be electric by then 
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From: Athens AL
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Worn shocks will cause a multitude of issues. Body roll becomes more noticable. The ride quality is more erratic - can get harsher because the shock is no longer damping vibrations due to road imperfections, so when you hit a hole the car just keeps right on jittering. It'll also be prone to losing traction as a result.
Steering differences due to the change in bound/rebound is harder to describe in words, but when you have to constantly overcorrect in turns, its a telltale sign. That and body roll can be other things, but shocks do contribute.
Steering differences due to the change in bound/rebound is harder to describe in words, but when you have to constantly overcorrect in turns, its a telltale sign. That and body roll can be other things, but shocks do contribute.