FX3 shocks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 440
Likes: 157
From: Sayre PA
FX3 shocks
Just bought a 1990 ZR1 which of course has FX3. You can feel the damping change in the front, but the rear is pretty loose no matter what setting is selected. Car only has 14k miles on it. The rear shocks could be bad but I see advertisements for a replacement gear which connects to the controller. If the gear was the problem would the car be showing a suspension failure on the instrument cluster? I don't want to buy shocks when all I need is a gear.
I've read quite a few threads here, learning that Bilstein won't rebuild the original GM shocks. New ones are pricey and out of stock at some sellers. Are there any other brands that will work with the FX3 setup?
I've read quite a few threads here, learning that Bilstein won't rebuild the original GM shocks. New ones are pricey and out of stock at some sellers. Are there any other brands that will work with the FX3 setup?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
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There is a metal gear on top of the shock, but if I recall the gear in the motor is plastic. These are known for breaking. There are companies that can rebuild the motors. If the motor is working but not actually turning the shock it might not throw a code. Take the shock off in the rear and then take the motor off the top. That will tell you if something is broken.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
There is a metal gear on top of the shock, but if I recall the gear in the motor is plastic. These are known for breaking. There are companies that can rebuild the motors. If the motor is working but not actually turning the shock it might not throw a code. Take the shock off in the rear and then take the motor off the top. That will tell you if something is broken.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 440
Likes: 157
From: Sayre PA
Even though my car only has 14k miles, these shocks are 30 years old. I found the Bilstein replacements at Rock Auto for less than $200 each. I'm going to replace them all. I'm a suspension nut, won't be happy until its done.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,213
Likes: 1,173
From: Southlake, TX
Yes, me too. I did a "rebuild" on my FX3 for my 91 ZR! a fews months ago. It is a pretty cool system once put together. I was lucky I "only" replaced a shocks and the ECU.
BEFORE YOU SPEND ANY MONEY run the codes as mentioned in previous posts. You really need to "baseline" your system before you make any changes.
BEFORE YOU SPEND ANY MONEY run the codes as mentioned in previous posts. You really need to "baseline" your system before you make any changes.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
My 93 ruby NON ZR1 car didn't have the ride control system. I installed all the components after researching how to install it and wire it like factory....I bought ALL 4 shocks plus 8 spares.......guess what......Bilstein rebuilt my first 4 and have been on the car for over 15 years or so.
Unless something has changed, I call 100% BS on those other threads.......been there, done it, undisputed.
Call them and talk with the right people, if I had a contact, I'd give it to you, but it was long ago.
Be interesting to see how you make out.
Chris
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,213
Likes: 1,173
From: Southlake, TX
I have recently (a few months ago) called the American HQ in California (and the sub station in Ohio) and spoke with the aftermarket manager who says because of the limited demand,means that they no longer rebuild the shock.
Since my set could not be rebuilt I ordered and waited (and waited and waited and waited...) and finally got a new set of OEM spec shock.
If you have a line on who can rebuild the FX3 shock I'd be very interested.
I did however buy a NEW set a few months ago but the supply is limited.
Last edited by billschroeder5842; Oct 8, 2019 at 10:02 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
Those threads are wrong.......all of them.
My 93 ruby NON ZR1 car didn't have the ride control system. I installed all the components after researching how to install it and wire it like factory....I bought ALL 4 shocks plus 8 spares.......guess what......Bilstein rebuilt my first 4 and have been on the car for over 15 years or so.
Unless something has changed, I call 100% BS on those other threads.......been there, done it, undisputed.
Call them and talk with the right people, if I had a contact, I'd give it to you, but it was long ago.
Be interesting to see how you make out.
Chris
My 93 ruby NON ZR1 car didn't have the ride control system. I installed all the components after researching how to install it and wire it like factory....I bought ALL 4 shocks plus 8 spares.......guess what......Bilstein rebuilt my first 4 and have been on the car for over 15 years or so.
Unless something has changed, I call 100% BS on those other threads.......been there, done it, undisputed.
Call them and talk with the right people, if I had a contact, I'd give it to you, but it was long ago.
Be interesting to see how you make out.
Chris
Yea, rebuilt in 2002, when Bilstein had no issues rebuilding them. Try coming back 17 years later and call to talk to Raul who ran the FX3 rebuilds.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
If he is gone, then if they are saying no more.....****......then what.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
I just a fast search on Bilstein itself, it seems that they still sell the selective ride control shocks for a 93 ZR1. That puts it clearly that they have the parts/tooling to rebuild???
https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/produ...28917860747064
I still plan to give them a call when I get free moment.
https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/produ...28917860747064
I still plan to give them a call when I get free moment.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 42
From: Sierra Foothills, State of Jefferson
This is a company listed on Koni's site as a rebuilder.
KONI Rebuild Centers:
Performance Shock, Inc. @ Sonoma Raceway
29139 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: 800-965-5664
On ther website, it looks like they also rebuild Bilsteins. May be worth a call or email.
KONI Rebuild Centers:
Performance Shock, Inc. @ Sonoma Raceway
29139 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: 800-965-5664
On ther website, it looks like they also rebuild Bilsteins. May be worth a call or email.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
I just a fast search on Bilstein itself, it seems that they still sell the selective ride control shocks for a 93 ZR1. That puts it clearly that they have the parts/tooling to rebuild???
https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/produ...28917860747064
I still plan to give them a call when I get free moment.
https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/produ...28917860747064
I still plan to give them a call when I get free moment.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
I don't know for sure but even if they can, why bother? Rebuild is a 90 day warranty whereas you have a limited lifetime if you buy the yellow Bilstein. After 10 years, I sent it back to them. I tracked the package and found they received them. They apparently turned it around it 2 hours so we both know they couldn't have rebuilt them. I suspect they defected them out and gave me new ones without bothering.
Mine took 3 days for turn around and mine had specific "mars and scratches" when I shipped them.........they all came back....in the same condition.....but fully operational.....been on the car for almost 15 years (if memory serves).
In my case, I installed the ride control on a vette that didn't come with it factory, so I was heavily invested in making it work as day 1 factory release.....and it has ever since. The 90 days isn't much, but if you install them when you get em, you'll know very quickly if they work or not.
I can't speak for the rest, but in my case, it was worth the time/cost investment.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
Sure, even if true, you have a "new" set of shocks that should last the rest of the cars life.
In my case, I installed the ride control on a vette that didn't come with it factory, so I was heavily invested in making it work as day 1 factory release.....and it has ever since. The 90 days isn't much, but if you install them when you get em, you'll know very quickly if they work or not.
I can't speak for the rest, but in my case, it was worth the time/cost investment.
In my case, I installed the ride control on a vette that didn't come with it factory, so I was heavily invested in making it work as day 1 factory release.....and it has ever since. The 90 days isn't much, but if you install them when you get em, you'll know very quickly if they work or not.
I can't speak for the rest, but in my case, it was worth the time/cost investment.
Cool. I had the actuators removed and cheap shocks on mine and the bulb removed from the "immaculate" car. I guess either we had different interpretations of the word or the PO lied. Based on past experiences with people in general, I'm going with him lying. Fortunately for he he was too lazy and stupid to totally remove the FX3 system. I got it totally functional.
Hard to explain but it won't bother me if the car didn't come with it but that it did, a half fawk removal would have annoyed me to no end so it was worth just for the peace of mind.