My 99 C5 bought new has been squeeking for about 3 years.

I did all the whoo ha with sway bar bushings,, end links,, grease the bushings,, poly,, then back to factory,, and finally upgrade to Z06 bars. Still squeeking. A Frame bushings, ball joints , tie rod ends all tight.

Finally I got. and decided to pull the F45 adjustable shocks. The car had been to the dealer at least 3 times under warranty for the same squeeking but they only did the cheapo stuff.

I pulled the front shock in the area of the worst squeek. I found the strut rod off center in the shock and wear. I replaced both front shocks with OEM F45 shocks that I have had in my parts storage for about 6 years. Wow what a difference. The squeek in the front was gone and I could not believe it. So I pulled the rear F45 shocks today and installed the replacements. Amazing no squeeks for the first time in at least 3 years.

Why didn't I change them before? Good question, all the techies claimed sway bars and end links. So finally after enough frustration I pulled the shocks.

Note there are adaptors to use for about $200 or you can DIY for replacements and you can use standard non adjustable shocks.

This was a new experience as I have NEVER had a shock squeek before even failed ones. So the F45 was a new one on me.

Hopefully this note will help others fighting squeeks. So If you have the F45 adjustable shocks consider replacing the shocks if you have squeeks.

My shocks basically had no restance when pushed by hand after removal. They stayed where they were hand set.

Best of luck on your squeeks. vettdvr

 

James

I had to laugh!

I also had a F-45 Coupe. I hated that damn suspension. It always felt LACKING, even changing it to performance setting. My wife swore that it never worked. It did but,,there just wasnt enough change between the settings to make much of a difference.

So,,I upgraded my my suspension the hard way. I sold the 98 and purchased an 02 ZO6.

When I owned the 98, I often thought about replacing the F-45 shocks with new but they cost so damn much.

Right before I sold it, I was lining up some ZO6 springs, swaybars and shocks to ELIMINATE that F-45 stuff and get the car to handle better. Have you ever considered that route??



BC

 

I have the z06 bars, but have not changed the springs. The end pads on the springs are wearing and when they go in will go new springs. Do you have the part number of what you used,,?? and did you install them?

At least now the !#@$ squeeking is gone, but next time the shocks will also go.

I also considered repairing the F45 suspension with a new C6.

 

I just replaced my f45's with some newer used f45's. I had a horrible squeaking noise also. I was embarrassed to go over any speed bumps or dips. Well no more sqeaks now that I just replaced the shocks but the computer that controls the shocks just went bad last week something to think about. I won't be replacing the factory shocks again next time around.

 

Sounds like you went through exactly what I did. Why do you think the computer failed.? Did you recheck the plugs? If you have a defective plug it will cause a problem. Also if I remember correctly the BCM (read big $$) controls the F45 shocks. That is a relatively reliable component. You might give the plugs a once over. The plugs were the most difficult part because I could not get the plastic push pin clips that hold the connectors to the frame.

Next time I won't be using F45 shocks either.

 

I ended up taking the car to the dealer to diagnose the electrical problem. They were the ones who told me to change the computer. But I wasn't about to give them what they wanted for a new one when I figured theres prolly lots of these things sitting around. I just put a used one in today and everything is working great now. Too much of a hassle all together though but whatever life is all good

 

Glad you got it resolved.

For me,, Wheeeee no squeeks. All the F45 shocks were pulled and replaced with new ones. The shocks were the problem. They started squeeking at 30,000 miles and now at 80,000 they are all gone. The only reason I replaced them is I had bought new takeoffs from a race car. Next time I will use normal non F45 shocks with adaptors. Never again will I listen to that infernal squeeking.

vettdvr

 

I uses synthetic 5w30 mobile 1 because the synthetic doesn't attack the rubber o ring. I only drilled a 1/4 " hole in the dust cover then put a few drops on the rod so it would drip onto the top shock bushing. This is where the squeak is. I had no other squeaks anywhere in the suspension. If you go the new shock route shocks are crazy expensive unless you go to the C6 shock for around $300 but you will need the shock eliminator which will set you back another $200. If you take off the F45 and don't put the shock eliminator on you will have a limit by the computer of about 80 mph.

 

You dont need no stinken $200 shock eliminators. JUST LOCATE someone that has a GM Tech 2 and program the RPO out of the BCM.

 

True but here I don't have access to one and the dealer will not do it. So that leaves the option to buy the eliminator or make your own which both are possible options.

Perhaps you can borrow one and let him use it and return it. From what I have researched it isn't that simple plug and play. There is a very specific procedure that might work on the Tech II.

I have the same system and will be working the same problem soon Perhaps you can help. ?

 

I did the C6 Z shock mod and b/4 I bought a Tech2 I just put 10ohm resistors in each connector to fool the bcm

 

Thank you.

I assumed you used the ceramic 10watt resistor and soldered them to the shock connector? How did you attached the resistor to the frame so it would not break / fall off?

10 OHM?

 

Yes 10 ohm 10 watt. I cut the connectors off the shocks and soldered. Then zip tie it some place it would fit

 

Thanks that's the way I plan to go but it will be after first of the year, just bought new tires.

 

Just another way to skin the cat... and it's free.

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