FX3 suspension
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Saint Michael, MN
FX3 suspension
Hi everyone, I have a '94, 6 speed coupe, with approx. 57k miles. It's a non Z51 with FX3 suspension. I believe the old Bilstein shocks on it are factory original. I am looking at replacing the shocks. I don't think the FX3 ride control works anymore, no lights on the message center, however nothing seems to feel different when switching the dial when driving. I thought I heard that Bilstein doesn't make replacements for it anymore, I've done some checking and found rears, but no front shocks for ride control. I am fine with that but don't want to see a warning light come up. The Bilstein B6 should be a good replacement. Has anyone else had to switch or upgrade the aging originals? Thank you for the help.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,358
Likes: 2,729
Hi everyone, I have a '94, 6 speed coupe, with approx. 57k miles. It's a non Z51 with FX3 suspension. I believe the old Bilstein shocks on it are factory original. I am looking at replacing the shocks. I don't think the FX3 ride control works anymore, no lights on the message center, however nothing seems to feel different when switching the dial when driving. I thought I heard that Bilstein doesn't make replacements for it anymore, I've done some checking and found rears, but no front shocks for ride control. I am fine with that but don't want to see a warning light come up. The Bilstein B6 should be a good replacement. Has anyone else had to switch or upgrade the aging originals? Thank you for the help.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 399
From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The FX3 system will not “feel” different when at low speeds. If you have some place where you can push some curves at 70+ mph you will notice the difference between the three settings. I thought the same thing on my ZO7 until I really pushed it. Your shocks may be fine and functioning well.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 339
From: Simi Valley CA
I just bought a 92 6 speed convertible with the FX3. I can tell the shocks are bad as it bounces on the freeway when I hit those sections where they join 2 parts of the freeway together, like an overpass. I hardly notice anything on a car with good shocks, but on my 92 I hit those and she bounces a few times. Especially over 80. On most cars you can push the front or rear down really hard and if the car bounces the shocks are bad. If it absorbs it, then they are good. This car has too stiff of springs and too soft of panels to really test it that way. From what I have just learned you can have a failure in the actuators that control the different settings, but your shocks are still good. There's places that will rebuild those for a lot less than replacing the shocks. You can take those off the front shocks, inspect them for damage and even have someone turn the car to the ON position without starting it and switch the settings. If its damaged you'll see cracks in the gear or it won't move.
