Shocks for my 89
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
Shocks for my 89
Hi guys,
I'm a new member, and a new owner of a 89 midnight blue convertible with ~60k original miles. I purchased sight unseen and had it delivered here in the Dallas area. The first thing I notice is the body roll and bouncy rear... so, new shocks are a priority to start. Just wondering if there is a prevailing thought regarding brands? I see Bilstein and KYB seem to be most prevalent in terms of opinion, but there is a price difference to consider.
I'm not taking it to the track and it rattles enough as it is on the suburban streets... I'd like to stop the bouncing and roll mainly. Thoughts from the community are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Matt
I'm a new member, and a new owner of a 89 midnight blue convertible with ~60k original miles. I purchased sight unseen and had it delivered here in the Dallas area. The first thing I notice is the body roll and bouncy rear... so, new shocks are a priority to start. Just wondering if there is a prevailing thought regarding brands? I see Bilstein and KYB seem to be most prevalent in terms of opinion, but there is a price difference to consider.
I'm not taking it to the track and it rattles enough as it is on the suburban streets... I'd like to stop the bouncing and roll mainly. Thoughts from the community are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Matt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,111
Likes: 1,993
From: St. Charles MO
You're definitely going to get what you pay for when choosing between KYB and Bilstein. Another couple of options to consider are Koni Sports or Ridetech HQs. Both of these seem to have lower compression damping rates than Bilsteins, and are adjustable for rebound rates. You can get a better ride with them than the Bilsteins, but adjust them stiffer if/when you prefer better control of the sprung mass. The Ridetechs are probably the better of the two because they are true monotubes with Fox internals and the rears are a lot easier to adjust with their design. Both Konie and Ridetech are more expensive ($700/set), but again you get more for that money.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,157
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Bilstein will return it to how it should be when new, slightly stiff and good in turns. KYBs are really only nice for a cruiser, you'll feel how loose they are in spirited driving in the twisties.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
Thanks for the info guys. I'm starting to think it's a bigger problem than just worn out shocks. I get a lot of wiggle every time I hit uneven pavement.. like it feels super loose. The last C4 I drove was a new 94 vert in 1995, so it was a bit tighter... LOL. I've got to get it in the shop, and I'm thinking Corvette World here in Dallas. With this much play in the entire suspension... I'm dreading what it could be. What collectively do you think I'm looking at? Everything appears to be intact.. so it looks like it should feel more planted.. and then you start driving. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Thanks for the info guys. I'm starting to think it's a bigger problem than just worn out shocks. I get a lot of wiggle every time I hit uneven pavement.. like it feels super loose. The last C4 I drove was a new 94 vert in 1995, so it was a bit tighter... LOL. I've got to get it in the shop, and I'm thinking Corvette World here in Dallas. With this much play in the entire suspension... I'm dreading what it could be. What collectively do you think I'm looking at? Everything appears to be intact.. so it looks like it should feel more planted.. and then you start driving.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
Could it be that simple!?? The Eagle F1s on back have good tread but yes, I believe they are 15 years old.. and someone put an off brand on the front, (Mirada) again with good tread but gotta be super cheap. Feels like I'm riding on hard jello.. so wiggly.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
OK.. it looks like the rear tires are 20 years old. Drivers side rear was manufactured in 2001, the passenger side has no DOT markings at all. The Mirada brand tires in front appear to be manufactured in 2019. Hmmm
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,157
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Yes, get those tires off the car, but another culprit could be that your bushings are just worn slap out in some places.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
Agreed. So, tires, shocks and bushings.. that oughta do it! Ugh. I got a pretty good deal on it.. so there you go. The BMW dealer who took it in knew what it needed. They did replace the water pump, replaced quite a few hoses, resealed the intake manifold, and made it look good. Everything else works.. 60k miles.. I shouldn't complain..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Don't do anything until you drive with new tires
You will be shocked at the difference
Last edited by Cruisinfanatic; Apr 15, 2021 at 09:48 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,469
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
I have Bilstein FX3 shocks so they are not the cheap ones. $200 apiece. IIRC, it was about 10 years later that one of them leaked. They said they can't do anything without looking at them. I had to remove them and send it back to be put on the shock dyno before they commit to anything. Got one out and called them back to ask if they could take a look at the other one. They said it was good. Day it arrived at their shop, in 2 hours they created a shipping label to send me back the shocks. I got 2 brand new ones.
Another time, I had crankcase vented to atmosphere in my truck. Hose came loose and blasted the shock. It developed a leak. They took it back, no questions asked and gave me a new one.
I would not have them rebuild the shocks since they are 90 day warranty unless I wanted it revalved. But new yellow ones they warranty for life.
Another time, I had crankcase vented to atmosphere in my truck. Hose came loose and blasted the shock. It developed a leak. They took it back, no questions asked and gave me a new one.
I would not have them rebuild the shocks since they are 90 day warranty unless I wanted it revalved. But new yellow ones they warranty for life.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 27
From: St James New York
I've found theses guys seem to have the best pricing on Genuine Bilstein shocks, check 'em out;
B6 for the base suspension, B8 for the stiffer Z51 performance suspension
Shock Absorbers & Struts - Suspension Systems - Bilstein - Performance Parts (ajusa.com)
B6 for the base suspension, B8 for the stiffer Z51 performance suspension
Shock Absorbers & Struts - Suspension Systems - Bilstein - Performance Parts (ajusa.com)
Last edited by mako41; Apr 16, 2021 at 10:02 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
Hi guys,
I'm a new member, and a new owner of a 89 midnight blue convertible with ~60k original miles. I purchased sight unseen and had it delivered here in the Dallas area. The first thing I notice is the body roll and bouncy rear... so, new shocks are a priority to start. Just wondering if there is a prevailing thought regarding brands? I see Bilstein and KYB seem to be most prevalent in terms of opinion, but there is a price difference to consider.
I'm not taking it to the track and it rattles enough as it is on the suburban streets... I'd like to stop the bouncing and roll mainly. Thoughts from the community are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Matt
I'm a new member, and a new owner of a 89 midnight blue convertible with ~60k original miles. I purchased sight unseen and had it delivered here in the Dallas area. The first thing I notice is the body roll and bouncy rear... so, new shocks are a priority to start. Just wondering if there is a prevailing thought regarding brands? I see Bilstein and KYB seem to be most prevalent in terms of opinion, but there is a price difference to consider.
I'm not taking it to the track and it rattles enough as it is on the suburban streets... I'd like to stop the bouncing and roll mainly. Thoughts from the community are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Matt
Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
Mine had KYB's on it when I bought it and when it was time to replace, I bought KYB's again. Mine is a street only car and I'm happy with them. You may also want to check out the suspension bushings in your car. Mine were 'long in the tooth' and rather than replace with more of the same, I put on Banski components and I'm very pleased with the results. Another area to check are U-joints on the half shafts and drive shaft, and wheel hub bearings. Being this is a new to you car, good to know what you have and it's condition.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.