F55 suspension issue
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
SIGH!!!!
Going to the STEALERSHIP, will net you either:
SIR,,,, We cant find NOTHING wrong. There are NO CODES and they are not leaking.
OR
We recommend replacing all four shocks! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
They are NOT going to try any of the TEST that I recommended unless you are willing to shell out $120+ and hour for them to investigate and that may also cause them to tell you; "We recommend replacing all four shocks! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$"
Test them your self and decide if you want to get replacements your self at a much lower price than the STEALERSHIP and or install them, your self. See if they are still pressurized and actually change dampening and rebound when you change settings.
The other option is to get rid of the F-55 and run some purpose built performance shocks and maybe up-grade the springs and sway bars to Z51, ZO6 or C6 Z51 equipment. All of which are very doable.
Bill
Going to the STEALERSHIP, will net you either:SIR,,,, We cant find NOTHING wrong. There are NO CODES and they are not leaking.
OR
We recommend replacing all four shocks! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
They are NOT going to try any of the TEST that I recommended unless you are willing to shell out $120+ and hour for them to investigate and that may also cause them to tell you; "We recommend replacing all four shocks! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$"
Test them your self and decide if you want to get replacements your self at a much lower price than the STEALERSHIP and or install them, your self. See if they are still pressurized and actually change dampening and rebound when you change settings.
The other option is to get rid of the F-55 and run some purpose built performance shocks and maybe up-grade the springs and sway bars to Z51, ZO6 or C6 Z51 equipment. All of which are very doable.
Bill
I looked at your suggested tests, but as I can already tell there is a significant difference between the Tour and Sport settings (and the Sport is very firm still), I don't think the shock (or all shocks) has failed. Dealer didn't see any leaking, but I guess I'll have to crawl down there and look myself.
Someone else here suggested putting on C6 ZO6 shocks as an alternative. If I do that, would they work well with the springs and sway bar set-up that came with the F55? Or is it assumed that you have to beef up everything along with the stiffer shocks? I don't run this car on the track; I'm just trying to keep the ride decent for street and the handling competent for some spirited driving on curvy back roads.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
My F45s are compressing under their own weight when placed on the ground, the mechanic who replaced them commented about how easily they are "folding", and yet I could still feel quite a difference between the three settings right up until they were replaced. Don't know if that says anything really .. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Ads like this come up fairly often in the C6 Parts for Sale/Wanted section
I got mine for $125 Plus shipping $25 that was all 4 shocks...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-2009-z06.html
I got mine for $125 Plus shipping $25 that was all 4 shocks...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-2009-z06.html
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 78
From: OH
I'm not feeling a "boaty" (bouncy) ride, just bottoms out on "Tour" more easily than when new. I'm also able to distinguish a significant difference between Tour and Sport -- the latter quite firm. So my experience doesn't seem to match yours; or, at least, it says I'm at the earliest stage of failure (or maybe just one or two shocks).
Thanks for your input.
Thanks for your input.
). Can't remember where I read that, though.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,343
Likes: 668
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Someone else here suggested putting on C6 ZO6 shocks as an alternative. If I do that, would they work well with the springs and sway bar set-up that came with the F55? Or is it assumed that you have to beef up everything along with the stiffer shocks? I don't run this car on the track; I'm just trying to keep the ride decent for street and the handling competent for some spirited driving on curvy back roads.
I measured ride hgt. both before and after the shock change over, and saw no change what so ever.
If you normally kept it in the "Sport" setting, then you would be happy with the Bilstein Sports.
I did not change any other spring, bushing, or bolt. The 03 AE Vette had 30K miles on it at the time (kind of low mileage for needing shocks).
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Sep 2, 2015 at 05:51 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Apex NC
Just a fyi. I replaced my mag ride shocks 1 1/2 years ago with C6 Z06 shocks and did the F55 delete. 2 of 4 were leaking. Saved the two non leaking shocks and recently remembered them and was going to put them on craigslist to sell. Both of them were soaked with fluid from sitting. I assume seals and no cycling. So....if yours are not leaking and you dont drive your car...be aware.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Still waiting for my service appointment... though I'm about convinced they are going to change their minds and say I've got one or more magnetic shocks leaking (based on what I'm seeing here).
So I have one more question:
IF I go the route of "deleting" the F55 shocks (and install C6 ZO6 or Bilstein) is it permanent?
That is, could I one day go back to Magnetic shocks and "undelete" (reactivate) the F55 setting??
So I have one more question:
IF I go the route of "deleting" the F55 shocks (and install C6 ZO6 or Bilstein) is it permanent?
That is, could I one day go back to Magnetic shocks and "undelete" (reactivate) the F55 setting??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Just a fyi. I replaced my mag ride shocks 1 1/2 years ago with C6 Z06 shocks and did the F55 delete. 2 of 4 were leaking. Saved the two non leaking shocks and recently remembered them and was going to put them on craigslist to sell. Both of them were soaked with fluid from sitting. I assume seals and no cycling. So....if yours are not leaking and you dont drive your car...be aware.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,343
Likes: 668
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
It's just that after a few years of staring at the "Ride Control" switch and knowing it does nothing, I might be tempted to do something about it!
Thanks, all, for the FANTASTIC responses and advice!!!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 78
From: OH
Honestly that is at least 40% the reason why I kept my F55 system. The "useless" switch would bug me. ...Though, I have seen replacement consoles so it wouldn't be an issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
You could hook the switch up to some air bags to raise and lower the car...change the names from sport to waasup, and tour to stylin.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,343
Likes: 668
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Found a rare one in the Shale interior color of my 04 Commemorative Edition so it won't bother me:
New GM Shale Traction Control Switch 2004 Chevrolet C5 Corvette Z15 10333091 | eBay
New GM Shale Traction Control Switch 2004 Chevrolet C5 Corvette Z15 10333091 | eBay
Here is another for "cheaper" (without the Pass Air Bag indicator) :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GM-Shale-Traction-Control-Switch-2004-Chevrolet-C5-Corvette-10333092-Z15-C88-/191113094709?hash=item2c7f3a6635&vxp=mtr#ht_1583wt_902
The "extra" switch does not bother me anyway.
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Sep 7, 2015 at 11:49 AM.