Should I change front shocks?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 394
Likes: 58
From: lancaster MA
Should I change front shocks?
My '03 Z06 has 92k miles applied by the first owner - I bought the vehicle from a salvage auction and am the 2nd owner. While doing other repairs, I just changed the OEM rear shocks to the "better", read cheaper and made in Mexico, C6 Z06 rear shocks. Now, the rears that I removed did not need to be removed - they both appear to function and have no leaks. They were made in the US. To be honest, I feel foolish to have removed them. I had read good reviews about the 2004 shocks - this being my first Corvette, I was reluctant to buy an '03 car and my 1st choice was to find a 'nice' 04. I'm not sorry I bought the '03 - well I am a little, but that's another story, and nothing to do with the actual vehicle!
My question, to the collective wisdom of the forum, is should I bother changing the front shocks - should I just wait until I notice a leak or fail? I'd prefer to keep what's functioning there and work on other issues.
My question, to the collective wisdom of the forum, is should I bother changing the front shocks - should I just wait until I notice a leak or fail? I'd prefer to keep what's functioning there and work on other issues.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
My '03 Z06 has 92k miles applied by the first owner - I bought the vehicle from a salvage auction and am the 2nd owner. While doing other repairs, I just changed the OEM rear shocks to the "better", read cheaper and made in Mexico, C6 Z06 rear shocks. Now, the rears that I removed did not need to be removed - they both appear to function and have no leaks. They were made in the US. To be honest, I feel foolish to have removed them. I had read good reviews about the 2004 shocks - this being my first Corvette, I was reluctant to buy an '03 car and my 1st choice was to find a 'nice' 04. I'm not sorry I bought the '03 - well I am a little, but that's another story, and nothing to do with the actual vehicle!
My question, to the collective wisdom of the forum, is should I bother changing the front shocks - should I just wait until I notice a leak or fail? I'd prefer to keep what's functioning there and work on other issues.
My question, to the collective wisdom of the forum, is should I bother changing the front shocks - should I just wait until I notice a leak or fail? I'd prefer to keep what's functioning there and work on other issues.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
I believe that shocks are like tires. They should always be changed out as a full set. I would've gone with the Bilsteins if I was in your shoes. I truly believe that you cannot get better shocks for the price. It completely transformed my car. Plus, they come with a lifetime warranty.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 33
From: Jacksonville Florida
The front shocks are probably fine, but, I would go ahead and change them since you've already changed the rears. Sounds like you're doing a good bit of work on the car and now is an opportune time to get this done and not have to worry about it for a long time. Since the rears are fresh the fronts should be as well. If you're going with the C6Z shocks the price is right! My car has 105k mile on it and I'm getting ready to install the C6Z shocks as well.
