Shock Failure
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 289
Likes: 33
From: Virginia Beach
Shock Failure
Will lowering the C5 on stock bolts cause premature shock failure. When I purchased mine, it had been lowered on stock bolts but, for how many miles I have no knowledge. I replaced the tires with the proper size and returned the vehicle to stock height. I have noticed that, on occasion, the rear will bottom out when hitting a bump.
Current millage is 42K. Thanks for your consideration in this matter.
Current millage is 42K. Thanks for your consideration in this matter.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
No. The stock height adjustment bolts were included by GM, the factory, the engineers, for a reason - for you to use them! Extreme height differences can cause some amount of extra load or wear, but it's not worth worrying as long as it drives the way it should. (With that said, the suspension geometry changes enough that for really hard use - track use where performance really matters - you may consider alternatives to improve the setup.)
However, shocks do fail with both age and mileage. Given the age of our C5s, it is not unusual to need new shocks. Do you see signs of leaking or weeping? Do you have a "moist" looking shock, with dirt sticking to it?
If you do plan to change them up, I think the most popular option are the C6Z shocks - super cheap and quite good. I think there are some Bilsteins people quite like as well. I put on double-adjustable Viking shocks, though in retrospect, I kinda wish I just ponied up and got LG GT2 coilovers ...
However, shocks do fail with both age and mileage. Given the age of our C5s, it is not unusual to need new shocks. Do you see signs of leaking or weeping? Do you have a "moist" looking shock, with dirt sticking to it?
If you do plan to change them up, I think the most popular option are the C6Z shocks - super cheap and quite good. I think there are some Bilsteins people quite like as well. I put on double-adjustable Viking shocks, though in retrospect, I kinda wish I just ponied up and got LG GT2 coilovers ...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 289
Likes: 33
From: Virginia Beach
No. The stock height adjustment bolts were included by GM, the factory, the engineers, for a reason - for you to use them! Extreme height differences can cause some amount of extra load or wear, but it's not worth worrying as long as it drives the way it should. (With that said, the suspension geometry changes enough that for really hard use - track use where performance really matters - you may consider alternatives to improve the setup.)
However, shocks do fail with both age and mileage. Given the age of our C5s, it is not unusual to need new shocks. Do you see signs of leaking or weeping? Do you have a "moist" looking shock, with dirt sticking to it?
If you do plan to change them up, I think the most popular option are the C6Z shocks - super cheap and quite good. I think there are some Bilsteins people quite like as well. I put on double-adjustable Viking shocks, though in retrospect, I kinda wish I just ponied up and got LG GT2 coilovers ...
However, shocks do fail with both age and mileage. Given the age of our C5s, it is not unusual to need new shocks. Do you see signs of leaking or weeping? Do you have a "moist" looking shock, with dirt sticking to it?
If you do plan to change them up, I think the most popular option are the C6Z shocks - super cheap and quite good. I think there are some Bilsteins people quite like as well. I put on double-adjustable Viking shocks, though in retrospect, I kinda wish I just ponied up and got LG GT2 coilovers ...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
My 2c: you may as well go for it, and you probably will not regret it.
If you 'feel' like you are bottoming out with new shocks, I would consider a few options: one, if you're sure you're feeling things correctly (second opinion), and 2, if you have other parts that are worn out that result in a jarring impact or crashy feel. At this age, there are a number of suspension components that may be worn or aged out, including: shock bushings, control arm bushings, ball joints, anti-roll bar bushings and end links, leaf springs and their bushings/perches, and driveline mounts (engine and trans/diff.) The unfortunate fact of owning a 20-year-old car is that a bunch of "lifetime" components become "wearable" components in the logbook.
If you 'feel' like you are bottoming out with new shocks, I would consider a few options: one, if you're sure you're feeling things correctly (second opinion), and 2, if you have other parts that are worn out that result in a jarring impact or crashy feel. At this age, there are a number of suspension components that may be worn or aged out, including: shock bushings, control arm bushings, ball joints, anti-roll bar bushings and end links, leaf springs and their bushings/perches, and driveline mounts (engine and trans/diff.) The unfortunate fact of owning a 20-year-old car is that a bunch of "lifetime" components become "wearable" components in the logbook.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
C6 Z06 shocks for a stiffer ride, C6 base for a softer one, and C6 Z51 for an in-between option, all available at the approximate same low cost.
Given the age of your car, a sway bar upgrade (or at least metal sway bar endlink replacement) should be in the works as well, and would be a good idea to do all at once. The original plastic endlinks wear out quickly and will contribute to making it feel loose. C6 Z51 sway bars are a good choice for base C5 tire size. C6 Z06 for Z06 sized tires or wider.
Given the age of your car, a sway bar upgrade (or at least metal sway bar endlink replacement) should be in the works as well, and would be a good idea to do all at once. The original plastic endlinks wear out quickly and will contribute to making it feel loose. C6 Z51 sway bars are a good choice for base C5 tire size. C6 Z06 for Z06 sized tires or wider.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 289
Likes: 33
From: Virginia Beach
C6 Z06 shocks for a stiffer ride, C6 base for a softer one, and C6 Z51 for an in-between option, all available at the approximate same low cost.
Given the age of your car, a sway bar upgrade (or at least metal sway bar endlink replacement) should be in the works as well, and would be a good idea to do all at once. The original plastic endlinks wear out quickly and will contribute to making it feel loose. C6 Z51 sway bars are a good choice for base C5 tire size. C6 Z06 for Z06 sized tires or wider.
Given the age of your car, a sway bar upgrade (or at least metal sway bar endlink replacement) should be in the works as well, and would be a good idea to do all at once. The original plastic endlinks wear out quickly and will contribute to making it feel loose. C6 Z51 sway bars are a good choice for base C5 tire size. C6 Z06 for Z06 sized tires or wider.
