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Mourning, so my 98 C5 is out of winter prison and in my garage (way to long) and I’m ready to up grade my 76,000 mile original parts. Over the winter I purchased FSD Koni s to put on as my first step. Yesterday I started with the rears and I found that the dampeners and dust covers did not fit over the large diameter shaft. First question is are they needed? The instructions were limited to rubber and washer placement. I can open up the holes if need be just look for direction from you guys! Also I have not looked at the fronts yet , anything i should be looking out for? Thanks in advance, cruzbox
I would open them up and reuse. Surprised that new shocks did not come with these parts. I went with C6 Z06 shocks which included everything. As for the fronts. I would suggest that you purchase a double d shock absorber socket for use at the top. Much easier to hold the nut and spin the shock shaft when removing. Obviously, you don't want to install the new one in this manner.
What OEM suspension do you have now??? FE-1, Z-51, ZO6 or F-45. The FE-1 is the base OEM lightest duty suspension. If you have that, you most likely have the PLASTIC Sway bar links. They deform and break easily. You "SHOULD" up-grade to the ZO6 metal end links.
IF,, you want to really do some changes on the cheep, look in the C5 used parts for sale and see if you can find some good used Z-51- ZO6 springs and sway bars.
What OEM suspension do you have now??? FE-1, Z-51, ZO6 or F-45. The FE-1 is the base OEM lightest duty suspension. If you have that, you most likely have the PLASTIC Sway bar links. They deform and break easily. You "SHOULD" up-grade to the ZO6 metal end links.
IF,, you want to really do some changes on the cheep, look in the C5 used parts for sale and see if you can find some good used Z-51- ZO6 springs and sway bars.
Bill
Thanks Bill, My build sheet /sticker says it came as a FE1, tomorrow I will measure the sway bars to see if they are stock and as far as the end links go the rears are metal so the must have be changed out already, I need to reassemble the rear shocks and then get the front up in the air to find out whats up front. After plenty of reading on this awesome site I agree with the Z-51 but what year? 97-99 23 mm &19.1 mm and 00-04 are 28.6 mm & 23.6 mm ? I'm trying to improve the unloading i'm feeling going through curves that are bumpy with out a stiffer overall ride , thanks Jon
To make the car handle correctly, you need to match the swaybars, springs and in some cases, the width of the tires. The larger rear sway bars need a wider tire to prevent unwanted tire lift in certain conditions
I have an 02 Z so, I really like the heavy duty everything. The ZO6 used a wider tire package. What width tires do you have?
I stayed with the FE1 springs and went with the early Z51 sway bars. Stock size wheels/tires. I don't drive it hard and am pleased with the performance that these few changes rendered.. Good luck with whatever you decide.
I’m running stock size wheel and tires. Matching the whole suspension makes sense, so the early sway bar would be the next logical choice. I will check to see what’s on the car for my knowledge and drive it for a while to see if I want to change it.
Thanks again for you knowledge, Jon
So I was able to finish up the front Koni FSD’s and rotors/ pads also the plastic end links! I also took some pictures, hope it helps someone else with what’s involved,
thanks again for all the information guys👍 Mogg greasable drilled out to 5/8”=.625 9/16 endmill to cut through the rubber You can see the diameter difference WOW! Tyrapped the old out and new in, I had the rotor off also but there was plenty of room with out dropping the upper a-arms I did have to loosen the washer fluid and anti freeze holders and move them out of the way to reach the top. Tyrapped the old out and new in, I did not have to lower the upper a-arms, there was plenty of room.
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Time to do some suspension work.
