Rear FX3 shock replacement - what else do I need?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Havre De Grace, MD
Rear FX3 shock replacement - what else do I need?
Hello All,
I have a 1993 FX3 equipped convertible. The car has 56k miles on it and has basically been babied its entire life and is stock minus a replacement nav radio. The car was owned by my dad for 10 years and before that, his friend since new. The ride is a little bouncy and doesn't pass the standard shock test of pushing down on a corner and seeing if it bounces. As far as I know, there aren't any issues with the actuators or modules and no lights on the dash (yes the bulb is in). So, I decided to invest in new FX3 shocks and do one end at a time. I'm starting with the rear and after ordering the shocks from Zip, realized I might need to replace bushings or something else while I'm there. Looking to leverage the group collective and your recommendations. Additionally, I'll do the fronts in the next month so looking for recommendations there as well. Thanks for your time.
Tom
I have a 1993 FX3 equipped convertible. The car has 56k miles on it and has basically been babied its entire life and is stock minus a replacement nav radio. The car was owned by my dad for 10 years and before that, his friend since new. The ride is a little bouncy and doesn't pass the standard shock test of pushing down on a corner and seeing if it bounces. As far as I know, there aren't any issues with the actuators or modules and no lights on the dash (yes the bulb is in). So, I decided to invest in new FX3 shocks and do one end at a time. I'm starting with the rear and after ordering the shocks from Zip, realized I might need to replace bushings or something else while I'm there. Looking to leverage the group collective and your recommendations. Additionally, I'll do the fronts in the next month so looking for recommendations there as well. Thanks for your time.
Tom
Last edited by tpe187; Mar 5, 2020 at 05:20 PM.
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
From: Battle Creek MI
I'd buy the poly urethane upper bushing as they don't come with the shock. Inspect the actuator gears while off to insure no teeth are broken. Don't lose the actuator up into the frame well either and have to fish it out. Have fun, the rears are quite a bit more work than the fronts. 
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Havre De Grace, MD
Well, that escalated quickly.
When I went to change the rear shocks I realized that most of the rubber bushings in the rear suspension were shot. Specifically the sway bar end links, trailing arm bushings, and rear spring mounts. Did the Driver side first, no issues with the shock replacement (didn't have replacement bushing, but the stock were not torn/split.) When I got to the passenger side, I realized that the actuator was broken, which halted work. I ordered a replacement actuator (more for speed than waiting on a rebuild) as well as the front FX3s and shock bushings (only front available for now) Since I knew I was going to be getting in pretty deep, I ordered a Corsa Exhaust at the same time. Once the exhaust was dropped, I realized I had a rear seal leak in my ZF 6 spd, so I would need to replace that (That is a special treat, getting the top nuts on the reinforcing arm out of the way) Since I dropped the driveshaft, figured it was a good time to replace the u-joints....With any luck I will get the driveshaft back in today, refill the trans, mount the exhaust and figure out where all these nuts and bolts go that I carelessly managed as it was all coming apart. Funny how little things become big things.
When I went to change the rear shocks I realized that most of the rubber bushings in the rear suspension were shot. Specifically the sway bar end links, trailing arm bushings, and rear spring mounts. Did the Driver side first, no issues with the shock replacement (didn't have replacement bushing, but the stock were not torn/split.) When I got to the passenger side, I realized that the actuator was broken, which halted work. I ordered a replacement actuator (more for speed than waiting on a rebuild) as well as the front FX3s and shock bushings (only front available for now) Since I knew I was going to be getting in pretty deep, I ordered a Corsa Exhaust at the same time. Once the exhaust was dropped, I realized I had a rear seal leak in my ZF 6 spd, so I would need to replace that (That is a special treat, getting the top nuts on the reinforcing arm out of the way) Since I dropped the driveshaft, figured it was a good time to replace the u-joints....With any luck I will get the driveshaft back in today, refill the trans, mount the exhaust and figure out where all these nuts and bolts go that I carelessly managed as it was all coming apart. Funny how little things become big things.
Last edited by tpe187; Mar 13, 2020 at 11:58 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 2
From: Hidden Valley Lake California
I am waiting on 4 fx3 shocks, I ordered the bushings for both the front and rear, I also ordered new clips just in case, so like you, I was doing something else on the car (rotors and pads) when I noticed what looked oil ffrom the left rear, I started thinking about how it was riding, I do autocross and the rear seemed like it wanted to jump out at times, and a little bouncy, Let me know if you feel a big change, I was all set to buy the VettetoVette no flex kit but when I found the leaky shock I decided to change them first, we will see if it makes a big difference or just a little, it was about double the price of the no flex.
Gary
Gary
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Havre De Grace, MD
I noticed the sharpness of rough terrain, potholes, etc was much less with the new shocks. I also replaced the spring isolators and sway bar end links and bushings. Still waiting on the replacement trailing arm bushings. Then I did the exhaust, which revealed a blown rear transmission seal. While everything was apart I did CV joints, trans fluid and diff fluid. Next was brakes, with new rotors and pads, to include upgrading to J55 13" rotors, calipers, and brackets as well as hoses and hardware. This time, I noted the rear parking brake cable boots were torn, so replaced all the cables. Now I'm on to the cooling system with all new hoses, surge tank, overflow tank, thermostat and rad cap. Will also replace the serp belt while I'm up front. So, what started as shocks for $1k is now about $5k. With luck, I will have it buttoned up by Saturday and on the road.
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 2
From: Hidden Valley Lake California
good to know, while am waiting for shocks I took off the driver side front and what I thought was the leaky rear, when changing settings and pushing the shocks down I could feel the change in dampening in both shocks, after reading what you found in the rest of your suspension I started checking all the bushings, they all look good and are tight. this has been a California car from new, so I looked at where you are,Havre De Grace, MD. is the weather there harsh? my 92 has a little over 72,000 on it and other than road grime, everything is in pretty good shape.
Gary
Gary