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To test the shocks, remove one end. Try to compress the shock by hand. If you can't compress it, then it's OK. If it compresses then the gas has leaked out.
If you hit a dip or a bump and any part of the car moves more than 1 hop or if it moves unevenly ie the front right or rear left take a dive more than the other corners you need new shocks.
Thanks ya'll... I believe the shocks are original (they are yellow), I will check this later today when I wash the car. The tires WERE 17 years old... now 1 month old .
I like the idea of the Billstein sports, I had them on my Impala SS, seemed ok to me.
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by warrior4jesus
If you hit a dip or a bump and any part of the car moves more than 1 hop or if it moves unevenly ie the front right or rear left take a dive more than the other corners you need new shocks.
Yeah. Consider the fact that if one needs to ask the question, they don't have the slightest idea of what you're talking about.
Another test is to bounce the corners to watch the jounce and rebound.
Cliff has the best idea, as long as one can handle a wrench.
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Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Jul 24, 2017 at 11:41 AM.
The years take their toll too, not just the mileage. Picked up my 90 with 45,000. Original bilsteins. Shot. Rear end was bouncy and front end was stiff. Proved out when I removed them and hand compressed/extended them. All 4 moved way too easy by hand and all hand some level of leakage.
Easiest way is to remove one and inspect/compress it. If oil has leaked from the shock it's probably a smart idea to replace all 4 if they're original because the others won't last that much longer.
Remember that you can compress most shocks slowly by hand even if they are good. They're job is to resist fast compression/decompression, not prevent it entirely.
Removing one of the front shocks would be easiest, takes maybe 10 minutes and you don't even have to jack the car up to remove/install it.
Seconding Whaleman, tirerack was the cheapest I could find bilsteins for my car. Amazon might have a sale on them with prime shipping if you need them quickly though.
I also have a 1995 base, white, looks exactly like yours. Very nice.
I recently replaced the tires and shocks. The front shocks were leaking oil and clearly blown. I bought all 4 and replaced all 4. But the rears were fine - I wish I had tested the rears so I did not spend money and do work that was not needed. So take this into advisement.
I went with the Bilstein B6 "performance" shock which is the standard replacement (non-Z51). The front end is no longer floaty, the ride is much improved, and I am happy.
As I'm sure you are aware, the late C4 base suspension is soft. After installing the B6 units I wish I had gone with the B8 "sport" shock (Z51) for a bit of added stiffness -- because this car is not my DD, it is a toy, I would not be living with a slightly harsher ride. No biggie though, the car still handles great and I don't do any autocross or track days, so the added stiffness is not missed too much.
Just wanted to add my experience to the thread. Hope this helps you.
I find the 'bounce test' okay for other vehicles, but not the Corvette. I've an advantage with longterm ownership, hence, can feel a handling difference with aging shocks long before bounciness. (Is that a word? HaHa!)
I agree with Cliff, as usual.
Be advised that the older suspension rules equated rough ride with 'handling', not true so much today.
Yellow color likely indicates Bilstein, my favorite. I had my original Z51s rebuillt to Challenge specs with resulting ride improvement (subjective) and equivalent handling (sometimes aggressive street, little track) on my Z51 '84. Spring and tire changes never delivered that result for me.
Last edited by whalepirot; Jul 25, 2017 at 12:54 PM.
How do I know if I need shocks??
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