driver side front damper hot to touch normal?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
driver side front damper hot to touch normal?
Ive been trying to evaluate if my original Bilstein dampers on my 96 are still operating correctly. Today after a 40 minute drive I felt the the lower half of the dampers in the front and notice they were unbalanced. The drivers side was hot to the touch, I would guess 180f and pass was just warm.
Can someone confirm if this is normal on a vette?
I figure if its not either the drivers wheel is unbalanced or the passenger shock is bad. I may have figured wrong but any input would be helpful.
thank you
Can someone confirm if this is normal on a vette?
I figure if its not either the drivers wheel is unbalanced or the passenger shock is bad. I may have figured wrong but any input would be helpful.
thank you
Last edited by barchetta1; Jul 28, 2018 at 10:18 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Get an IR device so that you can be 'maybe' more factual with what you find. Don't know that you could compare fronts to rears on the same car but if posted IR readings others that have IR devices (I'm guessing many) could post back after checking theirs.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
I just need someone to look at theirs. The lower a arm is also noticeably warmer. Could be from the shock or from the ac/alternator. Those two units are all I can see as a difference side to side.. but perhaps there is a path where theexhaust manifold creates heat on that side. this is why Im asking someone to have a look.
I will check rears though but Im not sure if it is relative.
I would tend to agree that it is very possible my passenger side is outside normal operating parameters or, f'd up.
Edit: I hate, despise spending my hard earned cash unnecessarily. Especially on a toy.
EDIT: on the LT1 there are many more accessories on the drivers side. master brake, asr, ac, alternator. Airtflow could and is likely much less accross the exhaust manifold on the drivers side.
Last edited by barchetta1; Jul 28, 2018 at 11:14 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
https://blog.ryderfleetproducts.com/...ber-heat-test/
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jul 28, 2018 at 11:43 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
So the OP just goes for a 'cruise' and 'palms shocks' - that should work!!
https://blog.ryderfleetproducts.com/...ber-heat-test/
https://blog.ryderfleetproducts.com/...ber-heat-test/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 635
From: Dallas TX
pull shocks...
Move them in and out by hand.
If a shock is completely wrecked it will have no resistance in either direction. Bilsteins TYPICALLY have a lot of damping and are very hard to manipulate by hand.
BUT if a shock is that bad, IMO you will notice it when driving.
Have somebody drive next to you on a not so smooth road and watch each wheel. Its very easy to tell if a shock isnt working because the suspension will be all over the place.
Move them in and out by hand.
If a shock is completely wrecked it will have no resistance in either direction. Bilsteins TYPICALLY have a lot of damping and are very hard to manipulate by hand.
BUT if a shock is that bad, IMO you will notice it when driving.
Have somebody drive next to you on a not so smooth road and watch each wheel. Its very easy to tell if a shock isnt working because the suspension will be all over the place.