What suspension on my 85?
05-14-2017, 09:00 PM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
What suspension on my 85?
I just acquired an 85' Vette. I'm in the process of just getting it to run, but I've been searching and trying to find out what suspension is on the thing. The steering wheel seems to go about 2.25 maybe 2.5 turns lock to lock. There's a fan in front of the condenser/radiator setup and a fan at the back. There's no labeling on the shocks that I can see and I tried to wipe them down. They also look just black. I don't know where I'm looking on the tie rods, control arms, but they also need cleaning if I'm going to find some stamping. The RPO label doesn't have a Z51. I also don't have any FEx codes on it. I know it has the auto transmission and 3.07 rear. I don't see a cooler for the power steering. No ride selector button that I can find on the inside. So where's the next place to look? The car has only 40200 miles on it. I don't know if my Uncle or previous owner had ever changed any of the suspension components.
Last edited by duowing; 05-14-2017 at 09:00 PM.
05-14-2017, 09:03 PM
#2
I just acquired an 85' Vette. I'm in the process of just getting it to run, but I've been searching and trying to find out what suspension is on the thing. The steering wheel seems to go about 2.25 maybe 2.5 turns lock to lock. There's a fan in front of the condenser/radiator setup and a fan at the back. There's no labeling on the shocks that I can see and I tried to wipe them down. They also look just black. I don't know where I'm looking on the tie rods, control arms, but they also need cleaning if I'm going to find some stamping. The RPO label doesn't have a Z51. I also don't have any FEx codes on it. I know it has the auto transmission and 3.07 rear. I don't see a cooler for the power steering. No ride selector button that I can find on the inside. So where's the next place to look? The car has only 40200 miles on it. I don't know if my Uncle or previous owner had ever changed any of the suspension components.
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duowing (05-14-2017)
05-14-2017, 09:12 PM
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
05-14-2017, 09:31 PM
#4
Pretty base car and you ID'd the only interesting options in your original post. I'd say that if you checked the wheel for castings and they showed to be 8.5 then your uncle or PO never modified a thing!!
Just check your RPO codes and you're all set!!
HAPPY MOTORING!!
Just check your RPO codes and you're all set!!
HAPPY MOTORING!!
Last edited by WVZR-1; 05-14-2017 at 09:36 PM.
05-14-2017, 10:51 PM
#5
Hey, I have a 85 with Z51. I rebuilt the suspension. Check all your bushings. My rear rubber bushings were in very bad shape or disintegrating. My fronts weren't as bad. I replaced all the bushings with energy suspension poly bushings. New bushings may make your car handle much better. Also your shocks may be worn out, and may need to be replaced. Another thing to check is your ball joints. I replaced my lower front ball joints as they had some play. Also check your wheel hub bearings. My right rear bearings allowed the wheel to flop around.
There are all kinds of things that wear out on an antique sports car.
Good luck.
There are all kinds of things that wear out on an antique sports car.
Good luck.
05-14-2017, 11:06 PM
#6
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Thanks for the input. I'm working on getting it running before I can really get into the suspension, but I'm sure there will be some replacement and mods coming.
05-15-2017, 05:59 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
I just acquired an 85' Vette. I'm in the process of just getting it to run, but I've been searching and trying to find out what suspension is on the thing. The steering wheel seems to go about 2.25 maybe 2.5 turns lock to lock. There's a fan in front of the condenser/radiator setup and a fan at the back. There's no labeling on the shocks that I can see and I tried to wipe them down. They also look just black. I don't know where I'm looking on the tie rods, control arms, but they also need cleaning if I'm going to find some stamping. The RPO label doesn't have a Z51. I also don't have any FEx codes on it. I know it has the auto transmission and 3.07 rear. I don't see a cooler for the power steering. No ride selector button that I can find on the inside. So where's the next place to look? The car has only 40200 miles on it. I don't know if my Uncle or previous owner had ever changed any of the suspension components.
Have a look at the code on the spring there is a label you can see with hood open, FJY is soft HMP is Z51.
Just google the three digit spring ID
