RED99CPE

My 2003 Aniversary Coupe has 20,000 miles on it and I have been told that I may need shocks.

Not an inexpensive venture with Magnetic Ride

Now since I am not seeing any error codes and don't have any handling or ride problems I am having trouble believing this.

I am taking a long trip this summer to the Black Hills Corvette event from Texas and want to make sure I won't have any problems

So can anyone out there tell me how to check them out

Thanks

rpm462

I've got over 60,000 on my 2003 with no problems with the magnetic ride shocks yet, hard to believe that yours have gone bad that quick. I'm pretty sure they will throw a code when they go bad.

dquagliaroli

Purchased my 2003 with 5,300 miles on it in 2009. Two of the four shocks were leaking and there were no lights. Guess it's true - IF YOU DON'T USE IT - YOU WILL PROBABLY LOSE IT. Don't think millage or use is the major factor. Switched shocks and have no regrets.

steve8

Did a mechanic with an upcoming boat payment tell you this?

ALLEGRO

Have it checked carefully. These are very expensive items, and actually very little to go wrong. Be careful

04 commemorative

Had mine replaced in 05 , dealer said they were leaking. I don't believe they were but it was on GM's dime. Hope they really don't go on me. I have 18K now

3GenVettes

Unless they are leaking which is possible but unlikely, you will not wear them out. The fluid changes viscousity by electro-magnetic input. They do not have the variable valving of earlier real time damping systems. If they are leaking it should be visible. If leaking only the leaking one needs to be replaced, not all.

phils C5 vette

mine is a 2000 with about 28000 miles on it. Rides great. I love the tour while cruising, and love the performance while playing.

Ive never checked to see if they leak, but maybe the next time I tight up the exhaust, Ill have to take a look.

Its a big nut to replace even if you go with the F55 conversion kit

corvette77

Check to make sure your stuffers have been removed. I replied to your question on the Tech forum.

El original

LOL. Right!! I would have several opinions on this one. Firstly clean the shock housing that was oiled up, do your trip and then have them checked again. You can do a visual yourself to see any oil leaks on previously cleaned shocks. There are no moving parts on these shocks and the only failure would be the seals. Good luck. Rob

Rupert

I'd inspect it my self. Last year I had a mechanic tell me one went bad, I did not believe him as it only had to 6k miles on it an had no codes. I took at it and and it was leaking, the leaking stuff that looks like Mayonnaise with graphite mixed in (not oil like other shocks). When I took the shock off it was clear that the shock was not pressurized anymore, new shocks are tough to compress and keep compressed the leaky shock remained compressed for a while. So my advice is to look for the grey mayo coming from the seal, if you see it the shocks have gone bad.

As an aside note, these shocks do not work when the car is off so if your mechanic is making this diagnosis based upon how the shocks react with the key out of the car it will appear that the shocks have gone bad.

RED99CPE

Thanks everyone you confirmed my opinion that I was being had but doesn't heur to get a couple of more opinions from the forum

killain

I have 13K on my 2003 and the GM Master tech who does the work said that it's hard to wear out the shocks in under 50K miles. But if you want to test them, I'd think if you switch from 'touring' to 'sport' while your out driving you should be able to feel the suspension stiffen up on the sport setting. These little puppies cost $ at like 450.00 to $500.00 each, so I don't look forward to any replacement anytime soon. And it's kinda odd, there's no aftermarket items to buy instead of going the AC Delco route.

Burgie

I was under the opinion they didn't come out with them prior to 2003. Hmmmmm learn something new every day here.

phils C5 vette

yep I have the F-45 suspension. Now they have F-55. I remember reading on here that someone converted his F-45 to F-55 and the kit was a couple grand.

steve8

You're right. Big difference between the F45 and F55.
F55 was 03 and later.

pcfred

They don't have to leak to be bad, I found that out for myself. Do this, go to your local dealer parts dept. ask to see a F55 shock, pull on the piston and then push taking note of the feel/stiffness. Go home and unbolt the bottom of one of your shocks, push up on it and pull down, comparing the difference between the new one and yours and you will have your answer.
Mine were not leaking but rode very bad (45k miles) and in comparrison to a new shock was a BIG difference. I installed C6Z06 shocks (I have a '02 coupe) and the ride difference is UNBELIEVABLE!!!! I once again enjoy the car the way I did when I first got it. I wired in 10 ohm resistors to the shock connectors to eliminate the computer codes, works great.
http://www.pcfred.com/shocks.html

pcfred

I didn't mean to imply mine had F55, yes it had F45. I also forgot to mention the "delete" which can be done on either.

n3nva

Just bought a 2003 50th 2 days ago, driving it home, HARD ride, like hitting bottom. Went on the forum and then looked at mine. YES all 4 shocks had them in. I removed them simple, and now its great riding. Thank you forum.

chuckeb84

For a decade