65GGvert

A friend bought an 03 Anniversary Coupe last fall and stored it for the winter, he mentioned it rode rough on potholes. I told him to check the shipping stuffers in the shocks, but the car was already stored. Friday he took it out and put it on a lift. Both rear shock shipping stuffers were still in place, 9 years and 60,000 miles later.
This is just a reminder to all MSRC (F55) owners to check the shocks if you haven't already. Here's a picture of what he found:

itzza427

Amazing they stayed in that long! Poor dealer prep and service after that!! Only 2 ?? It DOES pay to read forum posts!!!

ALLEGRO

It is absolutely amazing that after 10 years we still see this occuring.

WOW........

Vetteman Jack

Hard to believe that any of the previous owners didn't notice the rough ride and have it checked out. At least now your friend should be able to enjoy a much smoother ride.

Aerovette

Took mine out last year I think. Based on a post I read here and my wife complaining about the ride. I really believe the first owner did not drive the car because of the rough ride and was probably the reason it was traded.

memmer

Thanks for the tip.I am going out and check mine right now.
I'm back,no shipping stuffers
Thanks anyway
FRED

2010Vette

I'm the second owner, and I've been driving the car for the last 4 years. I thought the ride was rough, even for a performance car. I kept reading glowing comments from all the F55 afficionados, and I noticed the car rode just as badly on Tour as on Sport. So I figured this couldn't possibly be 'normal'.

Sure enough, the four stuffers were still in place, and are gone now after two owners over nine years. There is absolutely NO COMPARISON to the before and after ride! It feels like I have a new car! To think, I almost sold the car because of the hard suspension!

I can't help but wonder how many Covettes are out there right now with the stuffers still in place.

Erik

JJB82

I saw your post from a few years ago. I'm having the same issue with my C6. I cannot tell a difference between tour and sport. Was your car C5 or C6? Thanks

QUOTE=2010Vette;1580882523]I'm the second owner, and I've been driving the car for the last 4 years. I thought the ride was rough, even for a performance car. I kept reading glowing comments from all the F55 afficionados, and I noticed the car rode just as badly on Tour as on Sport. So I figured this couldn't possibly be 'normal'.

Sure enough, the four stuffers were still in place, and are gone now after two owners over nine years. There is absolutely NO COMPARISON to the before and after ride! It feels like I have a new car! To think, I almost sold the car because of the hard suspension!

I can't help but wonder how many Covettes are out there right now with the stuffers still in place.

Erik[/QUOTE]

2010Vette

C5. Best of luck!

[/QUOTE]

Deez

Many thanks for this tip. I just purchased an 04 with 13k miles from a Chevrolet dealership about 125 miles from my home. On the freeway the ride seemed normal, but once in my hometown the car rode like a covered wagon over every bump and crack in the road. The dampening system did not seem to be working at all. I thought oh know I just got burned. Then I saw this forum and figured there was a definite chance the stuffers were still in place. Took the car to Corvette Express in Vacaville, CA and lo and behold all four stuffers were in the shocks! Two previous owners and no one had a clue. Felt a little sorry for the last owner who dumped it on trade in after 1000 miles, but his loss was my gain. Car drives and handles normally now some 13 years after it was originally shipped.

FX VETTE

I shared your same scenario about a year ago, CF saved me too.

jrprich

Been there, done that
I bought my 03 last year from a member in SoCal and drove it back up to Oregon. I had exactly the same experience and checked on CF for help. The "shock stuffer" stories popped up and I went right out to the car and checked.........all 4 were still installed ;^(
And I am the third owner and the only one to check.

Deez

What further surprises me is that my car came with carfax showing servicing at three different Chevrolet dealerships. There had to be a test ride in their somewhere or a concern expressed. When this issue popped up in 03-04 why weren't notices sent out to the owners?

FX VETTE

Same thing here. Carfax showed several dealer service records over the years, but apparently the owner never complained about the ride and the service dept. never wondered why long yellow strips were sticking out of the shocks.

I am guessing the only bulletin issued when straight to the dealerships and nothing went to the buyers. I've seen the bulletin before and it is pretty short, so I'm surprised that nobody bothered to read it. My car had 40k on it when I took them out, I can't believe the previous owner never complained - I dealt with that ride for over 500 miles and it was horrible, sort of like riding in a covered wagon I would imagine.

Deez

Thinking rough ride comes with the turf is the only explanation why someone would not complain, but a brand new car? If the car ride was designed that way it would have been recalled for defective engineering. I previously owned a different make car that had a Adaptive Dampening System problem. ADS light was on and the ride was exactly the same as my Vet with stuffers. That one was a $2000 fix. CF saved me from putting the car up for sale. Taking the stuffers out cost me $59. Maybe I'll send an invoice to the Chevrolet Dealership for reimbursement!

FX VETTE

Taking my stuffers out was as easy as changing a tire (x4) and didn't cost a dime, but maybe 10 - 15 minutes of my time if that. CF advice was free and much appreciated.

B-STOCK

Do they still use these stuffers in the C7? Man would I be pissed if I found out after 9 years that I suffered with a crap ride.

FX VETTE

I don't believe so. Just the 2 years above ^

B-STOCK

Thanks. I bought a new 05 GTO and had to take the stuffers out when I got home. Car rode like a brick so I figured the forgot to take them out.

Michael Chance

Count me as another victim of bad Chevy delivery/sales. I've had the tires off when I changed the rotors and a few other times on my 2003 C5 50th Ann and never noticed the nylon tab that sits on the backside of each shock. To think those spacers have been in there for the 24k that I've owned the car and the other 107K that 2 other owners had it, omg!! Took 30 min to remove and the car now drives 200% better. I've got some pictures I'll post later.