Do sway bar end links affect ride?
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Boston, MA
Do sway bar end links affect ride?
I recently replaced the original composite sway bar end links on my stock 2001 w Z51 with the metal ZO6 links, along with changing the shocks to C6Z06. As a daily driver, the ride is now too 'nervous' for me, continual small motions on the highway that weren't there before.
Before I switch shocks, I'm wondering whether the metal sway bar end links may also affect the ride? Perhaps the composite have a little flex that reduces some of these small motions?
Before I switch shocks, I'm wondering whether the metal sway bar end links may also affect the ride? Perhaps the composite have a little flex that reduces some of these small motions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
It's not really a harder up and down ride.
It a harder side to side ( going into turns ) ride after changing the sway bars. The nose doesnt dip as much.
Change the shocks, then you will have a harder ( stiffer ) up and down ride.
I changed the sway bars and tunnel panel, and the car handles much better. The up and down ride of the car really didnt seem to change for me.
I have the F-45
It a harder side to side ( going into turns ) ride after changing the sway bars. The nose doesnt dip as much.
Change the shocks, then you will have a harder ( stiffer ) up and down ride.
I changed the sway bars and tunnel panel, and the car handles much better. The up and down ride of the car really didnt seem to change for me.
I have the F-45
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Boston, MA
I've driven other cars with very stiff suspensions that are quite jarring on potholes and you feel every road irregularity. This isn't like that, actually rides great over all that stuff; it just has all this small motion, unlike the stock Z51 shocks...which I would not consider a 'luxury' ride ;-)
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
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From: Upstate NY
When's the last time you got a 4 wheel alignment? The stiffer shocks/swaybars will result in a tighter ride, and if the car is not truly straight, any issues will be exacerbated when hitting uneven pavement, giving it that squirrely feel.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Riverside California
Good point! If "small motions" meant tracking issues than this is what I would do also. It will also locate any worn/loose rod ends - bushings - etc. and could still be tires.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Tampa FL
I agree with this. It is probably a fundamental characteristic of your suspension to a certain extent, but you can improve this with an alignment. If you have toe out in front it will be more "darty" on the road. Try a little toe-in or zero toe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Folsom Lake CA
I think the OP is refering to oscillation on the freeway, or is he? Maybe some clarification is in order.
a) If you're talking about the up and down movements like it's hopping on concrete highways which often have slight up and down discrepancies, and you're now feeling them more, it's the shocks, not the endlinks.
b) If you're talking slop side to side, perhaps the endlinks are loose.
If "a", put the stock shocks back on and see if the problem is gone. My money is on the fact that the shocks are not right for your springs. C6Z06 shocks were engineered for the C6Z06 springs, and while some people will go to them even on C5 base springs and "feel" an improvement, those shocks were simply not designed for the other suspension components on the C5.
a) If you're talking about the up and down movements like it's hopping on concrete highways which often have slight up and down discrepancies, and you're now feeling them more, it's the shocks, not the endlinks.
b) If you're talking slop side to side, perhaps the endlinks are loose.
If "a", put the stock shocks back on and see if the problem is gone. My money is on the fact that the shocks are not right for your springs. C6Z06 shocks were engineered for the C6Z06 springs, and while some people will go to them even on C5 base springs and "feel" an improvement, those shocks were simply not designed for the other suspension components on the C5.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Boston, MA
I think the OP is refering to oscillation on the freeway, or is he? Maybe some clarification is in order.
a) If you're talking about the up and down movements like it's hopping on concrete highways which often have slight up and down discrepancies, and you're now feeling them more, it's the shocks, not the endlinks.
b) If you're talking slop side to side, perhaps the endlinks are loose.
If "a", put the stock shocks back on and see if the problem is gone. My money is on the fact that the shocks are not right for your springs. C6Z06 shocks were engineered for the C6Z06 springs, and while some people will go to them even on C5 base springs and "feel" an improvement, those shocks were simply not designed for the other suspension components on the C5.
a) If you're talking about the up and down movements like it's hopping on concrete highways which often have slight up and down discrepancies, and you're now feeling them more, it's the shocks, not the endlinks.
b) If you're talking slop side to side, perhaps the endlinks are loose.
If "a", put the stock shocks back on and see if the problem is gone. My money is on the fact that the shocks are not right for your springs. C6Z06 shocks were engineered for the C6Z06 springs, and while some people will go to them even on C5 base springs and "feel" an improvement, those shocks were simply not designed for the other suspension components on the C5.
It isn't a tramlining or other sideways issue, which I'm quite familiar with, especially when the highways get rutted from the trucks. Rather, it is small up-and-down motions, as if the shocks are not damping sufficiently for the small motions, but then do a great job of damping for the larger motions or hard cornering.
I'm going to either go back to the Z51 shocks or try the Bilstein HD. Of course, I threw out my original Z51 shocks since they were worn, so I'll need to buy something.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Fayetteville AR
I think I would get a 4 wheel alinement first before I changed shocks (have them check for worn end links/tie rod ends (front and rear) - you might just save your self some time (and money) in the long run. I love my HD on my 01 z51. Much improved handling. The HD are SLIGHTLY firmer than stock z51's and are perfect for my needs.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Boston, MA
ZO6 shocks/Bilstein HD
The C6 ZO6 shocks were purchased about a month ago from Gene. I'm not sure whether they are 07 or 08 -- do they have different numbers?
I just bought and installed Bilstein HDs for the front, and they are much improved on that (stock) daily driver car according to my taste. The ride is actually firmer without the annoying small motions, but not harsh, and enthusiastic cornering on sweeping ramps seems to be at least as good. I have no clue how they would compare if pushed very hard.
I'm going to get and install the rear Bilstein HDs too. The Bilstein HDs seem to be very similar to the original Z51 shocks; but by the time I removed them, the original shocks were too worn to make any direct meaningful comparison.
I just bought and installed Bilstein HDs for the front, and they are much improved on that (stock) daily driver car according to my taste. The ride is actually firmer without the annoying small motions, but not harsh, and enthusiastic cornering on sweeping ramps seems to be at least as good. I have no clue how they would compare if pushed very hard.
I'm going to get and install the rear Bilstein HDs too. The Bilstein HDs seem to be very similar to the original Z51 shocks; but by the time I removed them, the original shocks were too worn to make any direct meaningful comparison.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Hot Springs AR
The old plastic end links will collapse under compression loads and start tearing. That weakens them and continued use they collapse more frequently, due to the loss of strength. Eventually (depending on how hard you corner your car) they fail due to fatigue.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
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From: Fayetteville AR
To answer your question: I dont think they snap in half very often but they do bend and flex some. I dont know anyone personally that had one snap but I have read a tread or two on this forum where they did . Many replace them for peice of mind = they know it will not snap and they know its not taking away from any handling. I would do it if you replace the swaybars or shocks since your down their anyways.
