Rear end not right...struts??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
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Rear end not right...struts??
Hey guys. Just wondering if anyone can shed some light as to why my 84 vette is so rough esp over bumps. Feels like the rear is the problem. Could it be struts possibly? Thanks for any help!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 325
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From: Princeton Jct. New Jersey
New shocks and lowering the tire pressure might help a bit, but the spring stiffness on the '84 is probably more suitable for the track or a smooth highway than normal street driving with uneven pavement. Still you gotta love it on the corners.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The front spring is also pretty stiff especially if the car has the optional Z51 suspension. And half of the entire 84 production run had Z51. Does your car have the Z51 suspension?
If you are going to consider softer springs, then you should swap out both front and rear springs. Softer shock can help some, but I would match the shock to the spring type. IIRC, the 84 used an AC Delco shock for the base suspension and Bilsteins for the Z51 package.
Bilstein makes a "Sport" shock" and a "Performance" (also called Xtreme by Vette Brakes) shock. The Sport shock will be slightly stiffer than a base shock and the Performance shock is for the Z51
If you are going to consider softer springs, then you should swap out both front and rear springs. Softer shock can help some, but I would match the shock to the spring type. IIRC, the 84 used an AC Delco shock for the base suspension and Bilsteins for the Z51 package.
Bilstein makes a "Sport" shock" and a "Performance" (also called Xtreme by Vette Brakes) shock. The Sport shock will be slightly stiffer than a base shock and the Performance shock is for the Z51
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Wallingford Vermont
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
The front spring is also pretty stiff especially if the car has the optional Z51 suspension. And half of the entire 84 production run had Z51. Does your car have the Z51 suspension?
If you are going to consider softer springs, then you should swap out both front and rear springs. Softer shock can help some, but I would match the shock to the spring type. IIRC, the 84 used an AC Delco shock for the base suspension and Bilsteins for the Z51 package.
Bilstein makes a "Sport" shock" and a "Performance" (also called Xtreme by Vette Brakes) shock. The Sport shock will be slightly stiffer than a base shock and the Performance shock is for the Z51
If you are going to consider softer springs, then you should swap out both front and rear springs. Softer shock can help some, but I would match the shock to the spring type. IIRC, the 84 used an AC Delco shock for the base suspension and Bilsteins for the Z51 package.
Bilstein makes a "Sport" shock" and a "Performance" (also called Xtreme by Vette Brakes) shock. The Sport shock will be slightly stiffer than a base shock and the Performance shock is for the Z51
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 201
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From: co
THANKS SO VERY MUCH DAN
one of my next summer projects will be tackling springs and have been to busy to look up chart