F45 Owners...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
F45 Owners...
When adjusting ride height, obviously you have to loosen the lower shock mounts to access the ride height bolts. In doing so, I have noticed the F45 shocks seem not to be under pressure. In other words, you can compress them by hand and they do not rebound automatically like a gas shock would.
My questions are:
1) Are F45s strictly hydraulic shocks? I'm pretty sure they are, but not entirely certain.
2) If so, how will I know when I need to replace F45s in the future? (I know, hopefully never!) Is leaking the only sign of a worn out F45 shock?
Thanks.
My questions are:
1) Are F45s strictly hydraulic shocks? I'm pretty sure they are, but not entirely certain.
2) If so, how will I know when I need to replace F45s in the future? (I know, hopefully never!) Is leaking the only sign of a worn out F45 shock?
Thanks.
Last edited by MrLeadFoot; Apr 2, 2006 at 07:20 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 1
From: Montara Ca
I replaced mine at about 115k with 04 Z06 shocks. befor replacment car was starting to get way scary at >80mph, I mean it would be all over the road if i hit a small dip or bump. When I replaced them I noted two that would not rebound when compressed one front one rear. 
I'm not sure how the real time dampening shocks work but it sure doesn't seem right that there is no rebound when compressed.
I'm not sure how the real time dampening shocks work but it sure doesn't seem right that there is no rebound when compressed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Only gas shocks should have compression pressure. Straight hydraulics don't. With hydraulic shocks, if you manually compress them, they typically don't rebound on their own. But, if can extend them by hand with no resistance, your shocks are shot.
I'm pretty sure the F45s have no gas, thus, don't rebound by themselves. But, since I am not 100% sure, I thought I'd ask. But, your feedback about being all over the place when going over dips definitely indicated bad shocks.
Did you by any chance notice if they were wet?
(Did I just answer my own initial questions?)
I'm pretty sure the F45s have no gas, thus, don't rebound by themselves. But, since I am not 100% sure, I thought I'd ask. But, your feedback about being all over the place when going over dips definitely indicated bad shocks.
Did you by any chance notice if they were wet?
(Did I just answer my own initial questions?)
Last edited by MrLeadFoot; Apr 2, 2006 at 07:21 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 1
From: Montara Ca
I just went out and checked my old f45's and your right all 4 do not rebound when compressed and when extened there is some resistance but not much. Yes, I can hear the fluid in the shocks when I compress and extend them. No, there are no signs of fluid leaking on the outside. Personly I never really could tell any difference in the 3 ride settings but man with Z06 shocks and sways the car feels like its on rails now.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
I recently put on Z06 bars, too, and while the car did handle unbelievably well, the ride was too jarring over bumps for me. I think the FE1 springs might be too soft for the Z06 sways. I switched the front Z06 bar for a Z51, which is only 1.5mm smaller, but it seems to me, the Z51 bar is a much better match. Still a great handling difference from base, but now it's much less harsh over bumps.
