Needs shocks
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Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 99
Likes: 22
Needs shocks
Finally getting to drive my father's 89 convertible after doing the fuel system and she's running good. The ride is less than desirable and is comparable to driving one of my old trucks, the tires have maybe 1000 miles, but are ten years old, not cracked, but have hardened I guess, I know I need to replace. Shocks are original Bilstein Z51 package and the front does the ol' 2-3 bounce-back when pushing down hard on the front. I want to replace shocks first then tires eventually. Will there be a major improvement doing only shocks? ball joints and steering components are nice and tight too. Are there other suspension components I'm overlooking?
Thanks, Mike
Thanks, Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
the tires have maybe 1000 miles, but are ten years old
I want to replace shocks first then tires eventually.
for example autozone has some for $33.00 each
https://www.autozone.com/suspension-...01b/188074_0_0
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Bilstein shocks are $100'ish each
https://www.zip-corvette.com/84-96-c...in-shocks.html
cheap shocks will work for a bit
there have been plenty threads recently on tires, use the search function, will give you a good education
Last edited by drcook; Dec 13, 2022 at 03:45 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 8
From: Kansas City
I'm in a similar place with my '96, 7-8yo tires.
I replaced the factory-original shocks last month (27yo) on all four corners with the Bilstein B8s and the difference was amazing. Then I replaced the bushings in the rear with the SuperPro set, and it improved still further--really drivable. Going to do the fronts soon, big project. You'd be surprised what those bushings look like when you get the control rods and strut rod off, after all those years, if your car is wearing the originals. That rubber gets hard over three decades.
But those tires are still killing me, hard and noisy. And they're not as old as yours. My rationale for doing the tires last is that I want the suspension to be sorted and aligned first--but I might have felt more urgency if they were 10 years old, there's a point at which it becomes a safety issue, and the line is a little fuzzy [at least to me].
So, sorry to say, all of the above. But take it one thing at a time--each of these things will almost certainly improve the ride and handling somewhat. Based on my recent experience, if I was starting over today I think I would pursue the same order: shocks, bushings, then tires.
I replaced the factory-original shocks last month (27yo) on all four corners with the Bilstein B8s and the difference was amazing. Then I replaced the bushings in the rear with the SuperPro set, and it improved still further--really drivable. Going to do the fronts soon, big project. You'd be surprised what those bushings look like when you get the control rods and strut rod off, after all those years, if your car is wearing the originals. That rubber gets hard over three decades.
But those tires are still killing me, hard and noisy. And they're not as old as yours. My rationale for doing the tires last is that I want the suspension to be sorted and aligned first--but I might have felt more urgency if they were 10 years old, there's a point at which it becomes a safety issue, and the line is a little fuzzy [at least to me].
So, sorry to say, all of the above. But take it one thing at a time--each of these things will almost certainly improve the ride and handling somewhat. Based on my recent experience, if I was starting over today I think I would pursue the same order: shocks, bushings, then tires.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 99
Likes: 22
A little update...did shocks a week ago and made a MAJOR improvement, Bilstein Z51's all around, brakes next, have drilled and slotted rotors with pad kit waiting to go on. Headlight repair kit also waiting on the bench.
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