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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 07:04 PM
  #1  
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From: Hamilton MT
Default Rough ride

Hi,

Recently, I traded my green 1997 vette in for a blue 2003 vette. Since I have been driving it over a bumpy road that leads from my house to town, I have noticed that the ride is bumpier than my 1997. I realize that the 2003 has some kind of liquid suspension which is supposed to make the ride softer, but that is not the case here. Sometimes it sounds like I bottom out on some of the bumps and I am not going fast at all. The front end black apron type thing hits the road.
I am wondering if the newer vettes are stiffer or perhaps lower or maybe the previous owner lowered it???
I also have it on tour suspension instead of sport. Sport was a whole lot bumpier.
My question is, is there something wrong with the car, or is that they way they are at that year? It seems very stiff while driving.
Any clues, anyone?
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 07:11 PM
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If you have the F55 Magnetic Ride that was introduced on the '03 cars, you might still have the "shock stuffers" in place. Back in '03 it was a big deal. The dealerships were uninformed about this option, and didn't know that the BG Plant was shipping the cars with these foam stuffers on around the shocks. The cars were delivered with them in place, unbeknowst to the new owner.

When the owner took the car back complaining of a rough ride, it was discovered...to the point that GM issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on how to deliver an F55 equipped car.
Here's a link to that bulletin:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=485

Your car might be one of the early cars that was delivered before the bulletin came out. It's certainly worth checking, because an F55 equipped car should ride very smoothly in the Tour mode.
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 07:18 PM
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Bought mine with 30,000 miles on it and when I researched the awful ride...lo and behold, found the shock stuffers still in place!! Night and day difference once I removed them.
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 07:20 PM
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From: Hamilton MT
Default Rough Ride

Thank you so much for the information. I have an appointment at the dealers tomorrow and I will certainly show him this link printout.
I truly hope that this is the case. Sure feels like it.
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
If you have the F55 Magnetic Ride that was introduced on the '03 cars, you might still have the "shock stuffers" in place.
Unless you have a major problem with the F55 system, I'd bet this is the answer.
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
If you have the F55 Magnetic Ride that was introduced on the '03 cars, you might still have the "shock stuffers" in place. Back in '03 it was a big deal. The dealerships were uninformed about this option, and didn't know that the BG Plant was shipping the cars with these foam stuffers on around the shocks. The cars were delivered with them in place, unbeknowst to the new owner.

When the owner took the car back complaining of a rough ride, it was discovered...to the point that GM issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on how to deliver an F55 equipped car.
Here's a link to that bulletin:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=485

Your car might be one of the early cars that was delivered before the bulletin came out. It's certainly worth checking, because an F55 equipped car should ride very smoothly in the Tour mode.
Can't you just jack it up and take them out?????????
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Go Getta
Can't you just jack it up and take them out?????????
Did you click on the link and look at the instructions and the diagram? If you have the means and ability - I would think that yes you could do this yourself.
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
Did you click on the link and look at the instructions and the diagram? If you have the means and ability - I would think that yes you could do this yourself.
That's what I figured.

I used to own a Honda S2000 and they had them also from the factory.

I just did it myself.

Thanks for clarifying though.
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by vettenlady
Thank you so much for the information. I have an appointment at the dealers tomorrow and I will certainly show him this link printout.
I truly hope that this is the case. Sure feels like it.
Ah Yes! Another satisfied Forum member.
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Old Feb 21, 2007 | 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by rpm462
Bought mine with 30,000 miles on it and when I researched the awful ride...lo and behold, found the shock stuffers still in place!! Night and day difference once I removed them.
I know my dad bought him an 03' about a year back and he mentioned it rode like s*** so we researched it and check and the shock stuffers were still in place. Snatched them out and it was a different car. What baffled me is the original owner paid that much for that car and didn't carry it back when it rode like that!
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Old Feb 21, 2007 | 04:32 AM
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
Did you click on the link and look at the instructions and the diagram? If you have the means and ability - I would think that yes you could do this yourself.
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Old Feb 21, 2007 | 06:39 AM
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This is what they look like.
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Old Feb 21, 2007 | 08:06 PM
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From: Hamilton MT
Default Rough Ride

Hi,
I thank you all for your suggestion about the "stuffers". However, sad to say, after taking it in to the dealer today, they could find nothing wrong with it and the stuffers were gone.
Now what? The rough ride is not a fun way to enjoy a corvette. It just really takes the bumps quite hard or alot harder than my 1997 did.
Is the F55 system the new suspension, magnetic ride? Wonder why they didnt comment on that at the dealers.
How about different shocks?
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Old Feb 21, 2007 | 08:46 PM
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That's too bad, I would have bet on the stuffers, too. Maybe a fuse is blown or the connector off the selective switch is leaving it in sport all the time. Mine sure rides great. Post if you find something
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Old Feb 22, 2007 | 01:05 AM
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Originally Posted by vettenlady
Hi,
I thank you all for your suggestion about the "stuffers". However, sad to say, after taking it in to the dealer today, they could find nothing wrong with it and the stuffers were gone.
Now what? The rough ride is not a fun way to enjoy a corvette. It just really takes the bumps quite hard or alot harder than my 1997 did.
Is the F55 system the new suspension, magnetic ride? Wonder why they didnt comment on that at the dealers.
How about different shocks?
Well something has got to be wrong. Good luck finding it.
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Old Feb 22, 2007 | 02:23 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
If you have the F55 Magnetic Ride that was introduced on the '03 cars, you might still have the "shock stuffers" in place. Back in '03 it was a big deal. The dealerships were uninformed about this option, and didn't know that the BG Plant was shipping the cars with these foam stuffers on around the shocks. The cars were delivered with them in place, unbeknowst to the new owner.

When the owner took the car back complaining of a rough ride, it was discovered...to the point that GM issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on how to deliver an F55 equipped car.
Here's a link to that bulletin:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=485

Your car might be one of the early cars that was delivered before the bulletin came out. It's certainly worth checking, because an F55 equipped car should ride very smoothly in the Tour mode.

That's interesting. Never heard of that before.
Reply

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