Another F55 Thread (Very Curious)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 29
St. Jude Donor '12
Another F55 Thread (Very Curious)
I'm not sure whats up. My car a 2004 Base Vert Auto 70K miles with the F55 suspension and rides like (crap). I feel every bump, doesn't matter if I change the selector switch as it doesn't seem to change the ride any. I don't have leaks that I know of and I swapped out my run flats about 6K miles ago and don't notice any difference in ride. Are these just warn out and I should go to ZO6 shocks or am I missing something? Everywhere i read that these are for the life of the car / never go bad? I can't be the only one that has this issue? What gives? Any advice would be great.
Thanks in advance and sorry to complain but I need to do something soon.
Thanks in advance and sorry to complain but I need to do something soon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Jack up one front wheel and remove the tire.
Take a look at where the rubber shock boot meets the shock........is there a yellow strap poking out?
Like this ??
If so, push the rubber boot on the shock up as far as you can and pull on the tab and one of these will come out.
Repeat at every shock
Last edited by jrprich; Nov 27, 2017 at 02:36 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Since I have been here we have had a bunch of similar complaints and it usually turned out to be the shipping blocks in the shocks.
http://www.searchautoparts.com/motor...stiff-corvette
Last edited by JR-01; Nov 27, 2017 at 02:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
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St. Jude Donor '12
Yeah I tried that, unless I'm not looking at the right spot they are at the top of the shocks correct? White sleeve looking thing? I will look again, I can only hope that's what it is but I did look the last time the car was in the air.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
You have to push up the dust boot to see the white spacer, but there should be a strap hanging down.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
While you have the shock's rubber boot pushed up also look for any signs of leaking shock fluid.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
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St. Jude Donor '12
Will do, I never looked for the yellow strap. If I saw it without really looking for it I think i would have thought it was a sticker on the shock. Now I am a man on a mission. Thanks!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
Bought my 03 last year. 24k miles 2 previous owners.
Drove her back from SoCal to Oregon and wondered why it rode so rough. When I got home I posted up on CF and was told about the "Shock Stuffers"........I went right out and checked and all four stuffers were still installed
After removal, all was well
When I posted back on CF many replied that the same thing had happened to them as well. Must have been a lot of dealerships that didn't read the delivery instructions from Chevy.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
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St. Jude Donor '12
Yes I am second owner but shes my daily driver for 8 or more years now. I never did notice any difference when changes from sport to touring and now my ride home has been under construction for the past 8 months or so, which is why i really notice it now. I hope that's what it is. I'll keep you posted once I can get her in the air.
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: East Alton Illinois
Look behind the shock. My yellow tabs were hanging behind the shock and not visible. I hope this your problem. I had the same problem and found all 4 shipping blocks still in after 14 years and two owners before me. Makes a world of difference. Rides like a corvette now instead of a chuck wagon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Look behind the shock. My yellow tabs were hanging behind the shock and not visible. I hope this your problem. I had the same problem and found all 4 shipping blocks still in after 14 years and two owners before me. Makes a world of difference. Rides like a corvette now instead of a chuck wagon.
with three ownersMine was only 13yrs with three owners.
I wonder what the record is?
Perhaps we need to start a "shock stuffer victims anonymous" club
Last edited by jrprich; Nov 27, 2017 at 10:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
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From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
I also have the f55 on my '03...HUGE difference between touring and sport settings. Something is amiss with your Corvette. Even with the setting on sport the car has a acceptable ride.
Team Owner
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From: The Steel City, Colorful Colorado
Winner 2020 C7 of the Year - Modified
I’m in the shock stuffer club. Found mine thanks to jrprich a few months after I bought my AE that had 39k miles and 2 previous owners. Improved the ride 1000%
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Really hope the shock stuffers are the source of your rough ride. Otherwise, you're looking at a very expensive fix if you need to replace the shocks (unless you go with regular shocks and tune out the F55).
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Corrales NM
Sorry to revive an old thread, but add me to the SSVA member rolls. My mechanic discovered today that my '03 Anniversary Coupe had made it 15 years and 22,000 miles with the shock stuffers in place. I'm looking forward to a hopefully MUCH smoother ride around town.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
Enjoy
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
We drove my 03 back to Oregon from the seller's home in SoCal and the first thing the next day after we got back was to jack her up and take a look. I had heard about the shock stuffers but my first fear as we drove back home was that the F55 shocks had failed
I was actually happy to find the rough ride was just the stuffers.......a few minutes and my ride improved beyond belief.