Suspension repairs
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Suspension repairs
Hi everyone. I just bought a 94 LT1, torch red. I think it needs some maintenance on the suspension system. It hits bumps pretty hard. I’m wondering what to look for, and what things possibly need changing. Like the shock, springs, etc. I know almost zero about these cars. Bare with me. 
This is my first post!
This is my first post!
Last edited by Juan_94_LT1; May 19, 2019 at 02:32 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Welcome. 1994 has fairly soft springs, Corvette wise. Looking over suspension is pretty much the same as anything else. Shocks would be a good place to start. Shocks are a how much do you want to spend thing; biltstien kyb ridetech koni are good choices.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Hi and welcome to the world of C4. In another lifetime I spent 15 years up in Woodstock NY. If possible I would find another owner of a late model C4 and ask him to take you for a ride in his vette for a comparison to the perceived harshness in yours Places to look for replacement of parts are shock absorbers, ball joints and all of the rubber suspension bushings. Not springs as they rarely if ever wear out. You do want to inspect the fiberglass springs front and back just to check for delamination.
Also check the condition of your tires and get yourself a good tire pressure gauge. 3 or 4 pounds air pressure can make a difference in the perceived harshness of the ride.
Best of luck with your new-to-you vette
Also check the condition of your tires and get yourself a good tire pressure gauge. 3 or 4 pounds air pressure can make a difference in the perceived harshness of the ride.
Best of luck with your new-to-you vette
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Thanks for the replies. I checked the air pressure and all 4 were right at 50psi. I checked the sticker inside the door and it says front and rear 30psi. Do we go by what’s on the door or the tires? I dropped them down to 30 and took a 50 mile ride. It was ok but terrible road noise after about 50 mph. The previous owner says the tires don’t have a thousand miles on them. I’m not totally unhappy with the ride but it does take the bumps kinda hard. Also what I’m concerned with is the glass top hits kinda hard too and rattled when I hit a bump. It’s snugged down pretty good though. There is a place near me that deals with all types of sports cars and specialize in vettes but I’m hesitant to take it there til I’ve checked everything I can. Thanks for all the help.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 963
From: Communist Colorado
If the shocks have 52k miles on them however and are more than likely needing replacement.
It doesnt have the FX3 option does it? Adjustable shock dampening....
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Ok... so, 52k miles would lead me to believe that with reasonable use, the bushings in your control arms both front and rear are probably in decent shape.Still, they are old and might be dry rotted and distorted.... or even ripped inside the bores. You can get a clue to their condition by inspecting what you can see.
If the shocks have 52k miles on them however and are more than likely needing replacement.
It doesnt have the FX3 option does it? Adjustable shock dampening....
If the shocks have 52k miles on them however and are more than likely needing replacement.
It doesnt have the FX3 option does it? Adjustable shock dampening....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Delta B.C. Canada
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
I never knew such a thing existed. I’ve seen the DOT marking on tires over the years but didn’t realize what it was. The guy I bought the car from said he’s had it for 17 years and put on 8k miles on the car. He also said the tire don’t even have a thousand miles on them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 963
From: Communist Colorado
I never knew such a thing existed. I’ve seen the DOT marking on tires over the years but didn’t realize what it was. The guy I bought the car from said he’s had it for 17 years and put on 8k miles on the car. He also said the tire don’t even have a thousand miles on them.
On the FX3, I find that Tour makes the rear end too bouncy.... I ride around in Sport most of the time.
That said, I think maybe this being your first Vette and the old tires, you might feel the ride is too rough.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 262
From: Park Ridge New Jersey
I never knew such a thing existed. I’ve seen the DOT marking on tires over the years but didn’t realize what it was. The guy I bought the car from said he’s had it for 17 years and put on 8k miles on the car. He also said the tire don’t even have a thousand miles on them.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Sounds like youre getting closer to a verdict. I just replaced my rear GY F1s with a new pair. The tread was decent enough, but they were 7 years old. The difference was night and day. My fronts are about 4 years now and have alot of tread on them... Ill need to replace them next year anyway. GY F1s are not cheap either!
On the FX3, I find that Tour makes the rear end too bouncy.... I ride around in Sport most of the time.
That said, I think maybe this being your first Vette and the old tires, you might feel the ride is too rough.
On the FX3, I find that Tour makes the rear end too bouncy.... I ride around in Sport most of the time.
That said, I think maybe this being your first Vette and the old tires, you might feel the ride is too rough.