C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Shock Replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 03:57 PM
  #1  
MTLMARKY's Avatar
MTLMARKY
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: montreal qc
Default Shock Replacement

Hi everyone, About to attempt 4 new shock replacement, I did a search for some How too threads on replacing C5 shocks, came up with nothing concrete. Wanted to run it by you guys if u knew of a thread or site with some picture step by step instructions? Thank a bunch!
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 04:42 PM
  #2  
VetteDrmr's Avatar
VetteDrmr
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,899
Likes: 1,839
From: Hot Springs AR
Default

Don't know of any DIY pages, but they go in and out fairly normally. Only thing I can suggest is get something to tie the shock top and bottom together when its compressed; it'll make life a lot easier getting them in and out. I've used safety wire, clothshangers, and really big zip ties.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 04:44 PM
  #3  
davidfarmer's Avatar
davidfarmer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,434
Likes: 916
From: CONCORD NC
Default

simple bolt-together deal. Just take everything loose, and swap them. As above, compressing the shock can be the hardest part.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 04:48 PM
  #4  
FKING1's Avatar
FKING1
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Default

linky http://fuzzydiceracing.com/test.htm
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 05:21 PM
  #5  
rws.1's Avatar
rws.1
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Default

here's another
http://www.c5forum.com/diy/shocks.php
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 06:13 PM
  #6  
IFLUBYU's Avatar
IFLUBYU
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 1
From: cAshburn VA
Default

get some long beef zip ties, will go easy!
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 07:37 PM
  #7  
MTLMARKY's Avatar
MTLMARKY
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: montreal qc
Default

Thanks everyone, got both the rears in with some coat hangers and long ties, works great!

Tommorow i will tackle the fronts!
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 08:57 PM
  #8  
Just Enough's Avatar
Just Enough
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 988
Likes: 4
From: Livermore CA
Default

Fronts you need to unbolt the top A-arm, just remember how many washers (shims) were under each bolt so your alignment will be uneffected.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 09:18 PM
  #9  
FRCTony's Avatar
FRCTony
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Default

Originally Posted by Just Enough
Fronts you need to unbolt the top A-arm, just remember how many washers (shims) were under each bolt so your alignment will be uneffected.
Why would you do that?
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2007 | 05:31 AM
  #10  
Choreo's Avatar
Choreo
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
Default

Originally Posted by Just Enough
Fronts you need to unbolt the top A-arm, just remember how many washers (shims) were under each bolt so your alignment will be uneffected.
I just replaced all 4 shocks with Bilstein HDs and did not need to unbolt the A-arms - just used large (1/4" wide) Zip Ties on all the shocks.

Only issue I had was the lower rear shock bolt torquing to 162-ftlbs. Found out the hard way that the lower bolts/nuts are "designed" for one-time use. See http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1658908
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2007 | 06:20 AM
  #11  
JeffC5's Avatar
JeffC5
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,567
Likes: 1
From: Edmond, OK...One of the first rules of online forums: If you don't like what is said but can't refute it, attack the poster.
Default

I didn't unbolt the A arms when I replaced my shocks.
jeff
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2007 | 07:24 AM
  #12  
Joy of 6's Avatar
Joy of 6
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver WA
Default

Originally Posted by JeffC5
I didn't unbolt the A arms when I replaced my shocks.
jeff
Me neither, just unbolt the top and bottom mounts and swap
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2007 | 08:08 AM
  #13  
MTLMARKY's Avatar
MTLMARKY
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: montreal qc
Default

Originally Posted by Joy of 6
Me neither, just unbolt the top and bottom mounts and swap
I am gona do just that, dont want to alter any alignment related parts.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2007 | 10:00 AM
  #14  
Just Enough's Avatar
Just Enough
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 988
Likes: 4
From: Livermore CA
Default

I only unbolted the top A-arms for the front shock replacement. You don't need to do this, I felt it was easier this way. I also found that it gave me a chance to apply some blue locktight to the A-arm bolts. It is scary how easy (loose) those bolts are when you go to remove them. There are many ways to replace most parts, after having the shock unbolted and trapped in the A-arms, instead of scratching the shock or needing to squeeze it together with a zip tie, I simply unbolted the A-arm. Rear shock removal/installation the zip tie or bailing wire is the way to go.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 01:46 PM
  #15  
moserbe's Avatar
moserbe
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
Likes: 15
From: Wellsboro Pa
Default

Good info.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 08:18 PM
  #16  
One Nut's Avatar
One Nut
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Monrovia California
Default

Originally Posted by Just Enough
Fronts you need to unbolt the top A-arm, just remember how many washers (shims) were under each bolt so your alignment will be uneffected.
NEGATIVE
not necessary
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 11:56 PM
  #17  
moserbe's Avatar
moserbe
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
Likes: 15
From: Wellsboro Pa
Default

Just finished installing the fronts. Wasn't bad, a few beers and a couple of hours. Compressing the shocks was the hardest part but wire ties work wonders. Next is installing the rears which looks to be easier than the fronts.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 12:52 AM
  #18  
wuznme's Avatar
wuznme
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 618
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville AL
Default

mechanics wire works better then zip ties and is reusable.

as stated no need to remove a-arms. and if the shocks are worn enough you may be able to compress and remove no wire or ties.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Shock Replacement





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:39 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE