2003 Selective Ride Questions - Help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Bay City, MI USA
2003 Selective Ride Questions - Help
Purchased on April 15th a 2003 with 6700 miles with Selective Ride Control.
The car rides terrible in either position touring/sport. I recently sold a 2000 with the "old" three positiion ride contol this car rode very nice.
The 2003 rides so stiff to the point that the seat belt has automatically tensioned on a large bump a couple of times. It seems to "bounce" in the touring position like on a trampoline and very stiff and also bounce in the sport position. (My 1984 Vette rode better)
This car seems to ride so bad compared to the 2000 I am sure that there must be something wrong with it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please either post or e-mail me.
Thanks,
MikeN
The car rides terrible in either position touring/sport. I recently sold a 2000 with the "old" three positiion ride contol this car rode very nice.
The 2003 rides so stiff to the point that the seat belt has automatically tensioned on a large bump a couple of times. It seems to "bounce" in the touring position like on a trampoline and very stiff and also bounce in the sport position. (My 1984 Vette rode better)
This car seems to ride so bad compared to the 2000 I am sure that there must be something wrong with it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please either post or e-mail me.
Thanks,
MikeN
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,359
Likes: 287
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
I think the dealer was supposed to remove something on the shocks during prep that they place there for shipping. They still could be on there.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by StephenT
I think the dealer was supposed to remove something on the shocks during prep that they place there for shipping. They still could be on there.
That's what it sounds like
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 217
From: Arizona AZ
I just purchased a 2003 with the magnetic suspension and I LOVE IT...........I sold my 2000 with only active handling and with this new suspension, I can tell a world of idfference. Why not take it back in under warranty and have it checked out. My 2000 also had Goodyear EMT and this one has Michelin Pilot Sports and I know that is part of the difference but I can tell the difference between the 2 cars, like night and day.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 3
From: north/central New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
You CAN tell if the stuffers are still in place without lifting the car, but you CANNOT remove the stuffers without lifting the car.
Look at a rear shocks from behind a rear wheel. A yellow plastic strap about 1/2 inch wide hangs out of the shock boot to let you know that they are still in place. Or the he rear shocks can also be seen by crawling under the rear of car and reaching up the shock rod. Push up the black rubber boot and see if a yellow plastic strap is hanging down.
The front is a bit harder to see w/o jacking up the car. You might try turning the wheels hard one way, and look from the rear of tire.
To remove the stuffers, you must lift the car to allow the suspension to hang (ramps won't work). This extends the shocks and provides room to remove the stuffer after pushing the boot upward.
Just push up the black boot, and push the stuffer out from one side. the stuffer has a slot on one side to push off the rod.
I hope this helps
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Stuffers were only used on the Magnetic Selective Ride Control C5's.
I'll bet that what the original poster's problem is. This was such a prevalent problem - dealers forgetting to remove the stuffers during prep - that they released a TSB on it.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=485
I'll bet that what the original poster's problem is. This was such a prevalent problem - dealers forgetting to remove the stuffers during prep - that they released a TSB on it.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=485
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 5
From: Germantown, TN
Originally Posted by Patches
Stuffers were only used on the Magnetic Selective Ride Control C5's.
I'll bet that what the original poster's problem is. This was such a prevalent problem - dealers forgetting to remove the stuffers during prep - that they released a TSB on it.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=485
I'll bet that what the original poster's problem is. This was such a prevalent problem - dealers forgetting to remove the stuffers during prep - that they released a TSB on it.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=485
I even went as far as cutting the front bushings in an effort to get the front lower. There has to be some legal liability by the dealer. I am presently not a happy camper with GM and they will here from me tomorrow morning. I cannot believe or accept "sorry we forgot". Sorry for the long reply and rant. I am trying to look at the positive side(the car now sits at the level that I want it to); but I just think of how many other owners have the same problem and not even know about it. Just SAD..... 
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
You have to love this forum though. At least a lot of guys here know what they are talking about. Glad you got it straightened out. You should notice one heck of a difference in the ride. 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 3
From: north/central New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by 3318C5
Now I am more convinced than ever that most people that are employed by dealerships (in the service dept) have no idea of what they are doing. I don't know if it's training or their just plain dumb. I would never have thought of what was discussed in this post without reading it. I have had my car since July 03 and I just removed the stuffers 5 minutes ago. That would explain why I lowered the car and you could hardly tell. I even went as far as cutting the front bushings in an effort to get the front lower. There has to be some legal liability by the dealer. I am presently not a happy camper with GM and they will here from me tomorrow morning. I cannot believe or accept "sorry we forgot". Sorry for the long reply and rant. I am trying to look at the positive side(the car now sits at the level that I want it to); but I just think of how many other owners have the same problem and not even know about it. Just SAD.....
I even went as far as cutting the front bushings in an effort to get the front lower. There has to be some legal liability by the dealer. I am presently not a happy camper with GM and they will here from me tomorrow morning. I cannot believe or accept "sorry we forgot". Sorry for the long reply and rant. I am trying to look at the positive side(the car now sits at the level that I want it to); but I just think of how many other owners have the same problem and not even know about it. Just SAD..... 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Originally Posted by hollyt
You CAN tell if the stuffers are still in place without lifting the car, but you CANNOT remove the stuffers without lifting the car.
Look at a rear shocks from behind a rear wheel. A yellow plastic strap about 1/2 inch wide hangs out of the shock boot to let you know that they are still in place. Or the he rear shocks can also be seen by crawling under the rear of car and reaching up the shock rod. Push up the black rubber boot and see if a yellow plastic strap is hanging down.
The front is a bit harder to see w/o jacking up the car. You might try turning the wheels hard one way, and look from the rear of tire.
To remove the stuffers, you must lift the car to allow the suspension to hang (ramps won't work). This extends the shocks and provides room to remove the stuffer after pushing the boot upward.
Just push up the black boot, and push the stuffer out from one side. the stuffer has a slot on one side to push off the rod.
I hope this helps
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
Originally Posted by MikeN
Purchased on April 15th a 2003 with 6700 miles with Selective Ride Control.
The car rides terrible in either position touring/sport. I recently sold a 2000 with the "old" three positiion ride contol this car rode very nice.
MikeN
The car rides terrible in either position touring/sport. I recently sold a 2000 with the "old" three positiion ride contol this car rode very nice.
MikeN
The sad thing is that this has been a problem for a couple of years. I don't recall reading about 2004's with the stuffers still in place, but I bet there are still some 03's running around out there with them. GM needs to bite the bullet and send letters to all the owners of F55 2003's, at least offering to inspect the cars for stuffers. The sad thing is, the dealer gets paid for "dealer prep" - I guess that's just extortion money.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Livermore CA
I had this same problem when I picked mine up. One rough ride until you remove them. I think the original owner traded it in becuase of the rough ride. I drove for about 5000 miles until I saw the yellow straps sticking out while doing an oil change.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Bay City, MI USA
Stuffers in Place - What a change - NICE RIDE!!!!!!
Looked under rear of car "Yellow Ribbon" hanging out of shock.
Went to dealer this morning had them removed - what a difference.
Thanks to all,
MikeN
Went to dealer this morning had them removed - what a difference.
Thanks to all,
MikeN
Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 24
From: Sacramento Kalifornia
Also, one other thing to watch out for in anyone ever has one of these shocks replaced, the new ones also have the stuffer and the dealer might not remove it. This has happened to one of our members.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19,496
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Originally Posted by MikeN
Looked under rear of car "Yellow Ribbon" hanging out of shock.
Went to dealer this morning had them removed - what a difference.
Thanks to all,
MikeN
Went to dealer this morning had them removed - what a difference.
Thanks to all,
MikeN
