Suspension Troubleshooting...step inside
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Suspension Troubleshooting...step inside
I have been hearing a "clunking" noise coming from the front of the car when I go over bumps, take turns, etc. I jacked the car up and in time, noticed that my left front shock boot had a chewed up rubber bushing about to fall out between the opening where the bottom of the shock boot meets the shock body. I removed the shock and pulled off the shock boot to noticed that the other half of the bushing was completely missing. This got me thinking...
I removed the other front shock and the same bushing was split in half and about a quarter of it was missing. Both remains of bushings appear to be mangled like they have been under high stress (obviously).
The shocks are Bilstein Sports (Not very old) and the car is lowered on stock bolts. Have any of you guys run into this before? Any speculation on what the cause is? Any insight is appreciated.
I removed the other front shock and the same bushing was split in half and about a quarter of it was missing. Both remains of bushings appear to be mangled like they have been under high stress (obviously).
The shocks are Bilstein Sports (Not very old) and the car is lowered on stock bolts. Have any of you guys run into this before? Any speculation on what the cause is? Any insight is appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Interesting.. I removed a set of Bilstein HD's just three days ago to install my Pfadt feather-lights. Mine are in perfect condition.. and have been on for over a year and a half. So good that I am even selling them on CL for cheap.
Your shocks must have been bottoming out a lot. The bushing was getting squished between the shock body and the washer just below where the boot sits on the shock. Question is.. why? They are made for lowered cars..
Your shocks must have been bottoming out a lot. The bushing was getting squished between the shock body and the washer just below where the boot sits on the shock. Question is.. why? They are made for lowered cars..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Interesting.. I removed a set of Bilstein HD's just three days ago to install my Pfadt feather-lights. Mine are in perfect condition.. and have been on for over a year and a half. So good that I am even selling them on CL for cheap.
Your shocks must have been bottoming out a lot. The bushing was getting squished between the shock body and the washer just below where the boot sits on the shock. Question is.. why? They are made for lowered cars..
Your shocks must have been bottoming out a lot. The bushing was getting squished between the shock body and the washer just below where the boot sits on the shock. Question is.. why? They are made for lowered cars..
I may need to call Bilstein and speak with them about it. Maybe even have them both rebuilt. I'd just hate to have them rebuilt and/or new bushings installed and have it happen again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
My HD's arent even meant for lowered cars, and I had mine lowered on the stock suspension too, and they are still in this good of condition..
Might mention that to them and ask why the sports would be having problems. If the HD's don't, the sport's definitely shouldn't be..
Might mention that to them and ask why the sports would be having problems. If the HD's don't, the sport's definitely shouldn't be..
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
I would generally think about just getting a pair of new bushings that go inside the shock boot, however these shocks have a little c-clip that has managed to come off on one of them and not exactly sure its function. Would you guys just send them to Bilstein for a rebuild?
**EDIT: No idea why the pics are stretched, but I assume you guys can get the idea.
Some pics of the shocks as they sit now:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48008900@N03/9328448444/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48008900@N03/9325636853/
And the car as of last weekend:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48008900@N03/9325665979/
Last edited by Corvette-Chris; Jul 20, 2013 at 10:37 AM.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
So you would suspect that the leafs are worn out vs the fact that I have cut bushings in the front causing the shocks to bottom out?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
You could check out the springs (closely)for delamination/splits & cracks.
Most time for the rears to go bad, is from twisties, road/curves racing & also a killer to the rear springs is exhaust cut outs , short straight pipes exiting the heat directly onto the springs.
Lots of times when going with longer lowering bolts in the rear (to lower), sometimes the bolts start pulling up through the soft rubber bushings (not good).
Most time for the rears to go bad, is from twisties, road/curves racing & also a killer to the rear springs is exhaust cut outs , short straight pipes exiting the heat directly onto the springs.
Lots of times when going with longer lowering bolts in the rear (to lower), sometimes the bolts start pulling up through the soft rubber bushings (not good).
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Yeah, I'll inspect them closely.
At this point (assuming that the springs are OK), it's probably better for me to just purchase 2 new front shocks and raise the car back up an inch or so. Ill take a closer look at everything in the coming days.
If anyone else has any suggestions/comments about the situation, feel free to post up.
At this point (assuming that the springs are OK), it's probably better for me to just purchase 2 new front shocks and raise the car back up an inch or so. Ill take a closer look at everything in the coming days.
If anyone else has any suggestions/comments about the situation, feel free to post up.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
You have crushed the bump stops so much that they are destroyed.
The Bilsteins are not made for extremely lowered cars. They are not any shorter than the factory C5 shocks. They are stiffer which means you need a bigger bump to travel the suspension, but that doesn't mean anything when the car is riding on the bump stops.
It's not a big deal. Get a rubber upper shock bushing like the ones that install on each side of the frame mount and use them instead. FYI, the Bilstein shocks come with poly bushings for there. Also raise the car back up to a reasonable ride height so the shocks can actually work.
FYI, the back bump stops are going to look just as bad.
The Bilsteins are not made for extremely lowered cars. They are not any shorter than the factory C5 shocks. They are stiffer which means you need a bigger bump to travel the suspension, but that doesn't mean anything when the car is riding on the bump stops.
It's not a big deal. Get a rubber upper shock bushing like the ones that install on each side of the frame mount and use them instead. FYI, the Bilstein shocks come with poly bushings for there. Also raise the car back up to a reasonable ride height so the shocks can actually work.
FYI, the back bump stops are going to look just as bad.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Oh, there should be a metal piece in the top of the shock boot. The clip helps support that piece on the end of the shaft. You can likely just track down the proper size C clip at a local store and grind the ears off so it'll work instead. Pull the metal piece out of the boot (the boots are garbage anyways) and put it on and you'll see what I mean. There is a recessed step in the piece that the clip rides in.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
You have crushed the bump stops so much that they are destroyed.
The Bilsteins are not made for extremely lowered cars. They are not any shorter than the factory C5 shocks. They are stiffer which means you need a bigger bump to travel the suspension, but that doesn't mean anything when the car is riding on the bump stops.
It's not a big deal. Get a rubber upper shock bushing like the ones that install on each side of the frame mount and use them instead. FYI, the Bilstein shocks come with poly bushings for there. Also raise the car back up to a reasonable ride height so the shocks can actually work.
FYI, the back bump stops are going to look just as bad.
The Bilsteins are not made for extremely lowered cars. They are not any shorter than the factory C5 shocks. They are stiffer which means you need a bigger bump to travel the suspension, but that doesn't mean anything when the car is riding on the bump stops.
It's not a big deal. Get a rubber upper shock bushing like the ones that install on each side of the frame mount and use them instead. FYI, the Bilstein shocks come with poly bushings for there. Also raise the car back up to a reasonable ride height so the shocks can actually work.
FYI, the back bump stops are going to look just as bad.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ck-issues.html
I am going to see if I can get some new bump stops and dust covers and continue on my way. I know the shocks are good. I will also be raising the car back up some. I will also be inspecting the rear shocks also.
Are you saying just use an upper shock bushing as a bump stop? Where would I get the poly bushing?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Oh, there should be a metal piece in the top of the shock boot. The clip helps support that piece on the end of the shaft. You can likely just track down the proper size C clip at a local store and grind the ears off so it'll work instead. Pull the metal piece out of the boot (the boots are garbage anyways) and put it on and you'll see what I mean. There is a recessed step in the piece that the clip rides in.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I'd get a rubber upper shock mount. It would be softer and give a little more when you bottom out. Try a local parts store or Ebay. You could also get the front bump stops for a HHR. They are about $8. I haven't tried them but the pics look like a longer version of the stock C5 bump stop (which you could also use if you have your old shocks). They are likely too long so just cut them to the size you want, likely about 1".
Here's a pic, but the sponsor here like Parts Taxi or GM Parts House have them cheaper.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/06-11-HHR-MALIBU-07-10-G5-FRONT-SHOCK-ABSORBER-STRUT-BUMPER-R-L-GM-22712118-/390485737805?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AHHR&hash=item5aeac3814d&vxp=mtr
You can just throw the covers away. It doesn't look like you drive the car in crappy weather. Besides, millions of cars are on the road without any shock boots and they do just fine.
Here's a pic, but the sponsor here like Parts Taxi or GM Parts House have them cheaper.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/06-11-HHR-MALIBU-07-10-G5-FRONT-SHOCK-ABSORBER-STRUT-BUMPER-R-L-GM-22712118-/390485737805?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AHHR&hash=item5aeac3814d&vxp=mtr
You can just throw the covers away. It doesn't look like you drive the car in crappy weather. Besides, millions of cars are on the road without any shock boots and they do just fine.