Replace F55's
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 8
From: Tempe & Prescott Arizona
Replace F55's
Finally going to have to break down and replace the F55's on all four corners. Leaking like an oil well. I've read the posts about reprogramming out the warning when replacing with ZO6's or Bilstein aftermarket units. Curious if locals in the Phoenix area can recommend a metro shop that has the tech2 (or equivalent) that can do the reprogramming. Also, even though the price of the original F55's have come down over years, I still cannot justify that cost. However, this car does not ever see the track and my S/O will not ride with me if I drive with the shocks in the "sport" mode. Therefore, I'm looking for suggestions for good aftermarket shocks that have similar characteristics to the F55's in the "tour" mode.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Clay
2003 Anniversary Edition
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Clay
2003 Anniversary Edition
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 8
From: Tempe & Prescott Arizona
They started bleeding @ 24,000 miles and I'm up to 47,000 now. Still have not received any warning (85 mph limit) as yet.
Last edited by gooddog; Aug 7, 2017 at 12:23 PM.
Team Owner
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From: The Steel City, Colorful Colorado
Winner 2020 C7 of the Year - Modified
Sorry OP
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,502
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From: Scottsdale AZ
Finally going to have to break down and replace the F55's on all four corners. Leaking like an oil well. I've read the posts about reprogramming out the warning when replacing with ZO6's or Bilstein aftermarket units. Curious if locals in the Phoenix area can recommend a metro shop that has the tech2 (or equivalent) that can do the reprogramming. Also, even though the price of the original F55's have come down over years, I still cannot justify that cost. However, this car does not ever see the track and my S/O will not ride with me if I drive with the shocks in the "sport" mode. Therefore, I'm looking for suggestions for good aftermarket shocks that have similar characteristics to the F55's in the "tour" mode.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Clay
2003 Anniversary Edition
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Clay
2003 Anniversary Edition
I have used this shop out here in Fountain Hills for more than 10 years- they've worked on our family cars and five of our Corvettes. It's probably the other end of the world from you but if you want the name and info, shoot me a PM.
Good luck-
Last edited by CQRT; Aug 7, 2017 at 01:58 PM.
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Do a Google search for Xtreme Motorsports. They are in Tempe.
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find it hard to believe they ALL failed with so low mileage...something is not right. 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 8
From: Tempe & Prescott Arizona
Actually, the probable cause was due to not being used. The seals dry up over time when not being actuated from time to time. Living in Arizona probably doesn't help.
The car had been known to sit for months at a time....
The car had been known to sit for months at a time....
Last edited by gooddog; Aug 7, 2017 at 02:47 PM.
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From: The Steel City, Colorful Colorado
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. That may or may not have prolonged the life of mine - we shall see.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,519
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From: Pa
I replaced my F45 shocks on my 2002 Corvette with approx 16,000 miles on car. The shocks were not leaking, but the shock performance was degraded. C6 ZO6 shocks made a big improvement. Although the F55 suspension is probably better than the F45 was.
Had the Tech 2 delete done, very simple, takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Had the Tech 2 delete done, very simple, takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Last edited by steig; Aug 7, 2017 at 08:27 PM.
Drifting
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From: Pa
Burning Brakes
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From: Chicago Illinois
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 8
From: Tempe & Prescott Arizona
Thanks all for the inputs. Does anyone have recommendations for relatively "stock" replacements? I don't want to stiffen up the ride harshly or my S/O will not want to trip with me. Are the late year Z06 any milder than the Bilstein HD's?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
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From: SF Bay Area
I have seen the base C6 shocks and Monroe shocks recommended for soft ride.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
I have wondered the exact same thing.........my 03 had two previous owners when I bought it at about 24k. I would like to think that the stuffers prevented wear on the F55 shocks, which I assume is why GM put them in place for shipping.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 15
From: My Garage. Upstate, SC
I'm replacing mine at 57k miles. The rears are obviously leaking now and sharp bumps are, well, sharp now. I inspected these at 55k miles and found minor leaking.
The fronts are leaking now too, its time for replacements at all corners and disabling the F55 computer function.
I'm considering the C6 Z06 shocks vs Bilsteins for replacements. My AE will probably never see the track competitively, so I'm more interested in ride quality for trips.
The fronts are leaking now too, its time for replacements at all corners and disabling the F55 computer function.
I'm considering the C6 Z06 shocks vs Bilsteins for replacements. My AE will probably never see the track competitively, so I'm more interested in ride quality for trips.
Last edited by Trigger Creep; Sep 13, 2017 at 07:39 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Scottsdale AZ
Will you be at the Prescott show Sept 23 ?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
I'm replacing mine at 57k miles. The rears are obviously leaking now and sharp bumps are, well, sharp now. I inspected these at 55k miles and found minor leaking.
The fronts are leaking now too, its time for replacements at all corners and disabling the F55 computer function.
I'm considering the C6 Z06 shocks vs Bilsteins for replacements. My AE will probably never see the track competitively, so I'm more interested in ride quality for trips.
The fronts are leaking now too, its time for replacements at all corners and disabling the F55 computer function.
I'm considering the C6 Z06 shocks vs Bilsteins for replacements. My AE will probably never see the track competitively, so I'm more interested in ride quality for trips.