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Question for you. I have and love a 2002 A4 with 59K. On a smooth highway the Vette goes straight down the road. On a ruff highway the car darts to the right or left. I had a four wheel alignment done and that helped, but didn't stop the darting.
So I figured shocks are next. Bought four new C6 Z06 shocks. Problem is or I think might be a problem is I can stand all four shocks on my bench on their ends and compress them with my hands. Are Z06 shocks this soft or are these defective?
Question for you. I have and love a 2002 A4 with 59K. On a smooth highway the Vette goes straight down the road. On a ruff highway the car darts to the right or left. I had a four wheel alignment done and that helped, but didn't stop the darting.
So I figured shocks are next. Bought four new C6 Z06 shocks. Problem is or I think might be a problem is I can stand all four shocks on my bench on their ends and compress them with my hands. Are Z06 shocks this soft or are these defective?
They can be compressed manually, but they shouldn't be super easy. This is hard to gauge. It takes some effort. How big are your guns? Are there any wheel / tire changes from stock? That can affect tracking as well if sizes/widths have changed.
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Nov 1, 2020 at 08:29 PM.
I bought new C6Z shocks for my 2004 vert at around 100k. It had Z51 from factory, and if I am not mistaken, all that really was was metal sway bar link ends and slightly stiffer shocks. I could compress the new shocks, but it took effort. It wasn't like the feeling of soft gas shock or of bleeding air from the fluid shocks like we did in the prehistoric days before install. The ride was noticeably stiffer with the C6Zs.
I just remembered, they were hard to compress to the point that I used large zip ties to keep them compressed while positioning them for install - they were too difficult to easily manage while working in the front wheel well.
Also, your new rear shocks probably have a slightly different offset plate than what you are taking out. The white paint dot faces out.
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Nov 1, 2020 at 09:09 PM.
Ed I'll meet your buddy behind the school tomorrow. Should be interesting two 70 yo rolling around in the dirt. I think these will be too stiff for me to compress in the wheel wells. I will zip tie them as well. I'll install them and see what happens. Thanks for the tip about the white dots.
Ed I'll meet your buddy behind the school tomorrow. Should be interesting two 70 yo rolling around in the dirt. I think these will be too stiff for me to compress in the wheel wells. I will zip tie them as well. I'll install them and see what happens. Thanks for the tip about the white dots.
Use the giant zip ties you get at Lowes/Home Depot etc. Don't try to string a bunch of little ones together! Get the front shock bottom bolt in, cut the tie and guide it into the upper mount as it extends.
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Nov 1, 2020 at 09:50 PM.
Question for you. I have and love a 2002 A4 with 59K. On a smooth highway the Vette goes straight down the road. On a ruff highway the car darts to the right or left. I had a four wheel alignment done and that helped, but didn't stop the darting.
So I figured shocks are next. Bought four new C6 Z06 shocks. Problem is or I think might be a problem is I can stand all four shocks on my bench on their ends and compress them with my hands. Are Z06 shocks this soft or are these defective?
My 2000 C5 with F45 suspension did this "darting" too, even when new. I believe it's something in the steering geometry. Ecklers, and/or Mid America have parts you replace on the steering somewhere. Sorry I don't remember exactly what it does, or if a realignment is necessary after install. But they claim this stops the darting when hitting small bumps at freeway speeds. Call and check them out. Good luck.....
Last edited by grinder11; Nov 3, 2020 at 12:53 PM.
Reason: Spelling
Thanks Grinder 11, I will check this out. The man that did my alignment told me before he did the alignment that because of the stiff suspension the alignment may not cure the darting.
Thanks Grinder 11, I will check this out. The man that did my alignment told me before he did the alignment that because of the stiff suspension the alignment may not cure the darting.
For what it's worth, wider lower profile tires tend to trammel (that's the term for following the road). Alignment, width, pressure, suspension, etc. all play a factor. When I first read the post, I thought to myself that the shocks would have to be VERY worn out to literally dart and wondered how much was trammeling vs a real problem. I assumed it has been diagnosed as a problem as it was to a shop.
Turn the shocks up-side down and put your body weight on the body. I had a friend use some coat hanger wire to secure the rod into the shock while I held it compressed. Put the shock in place and cut the wire and guide the rod into the hole when it extends. The shocks should have come with plastic retainer straps holding them compressed.
You will enjoy the new handling! You will not see much difference just driving on a straight level road but the turns will be MUCH MORE EXCITING!
I called the po and he feels as I do that the shocks on the Vette are original. There is no leaking, no body roll and I feel in control at all speeds. This is my fourth Vette, I have not experience this with any of the others. This is my first C5. Is this common with C5? Bill these came without straps.
My 02 ZO6 started having handling issues at 35K miles on the OEM ZO6 shocks. It started trying to slide off the road in rough high speed turns. The shocks were not leaking and had pressure. In fact a buddy with a 2000 couple replaced his OEM Origional 80K miles shock with them and he was totally happy! They just couldnt control the ZO6 wheels under those conditions. What are your current alignment readings? A good alignment is key to making a car with wider performance tires track well. I also ask the alignment Tech to get my alignment readings the same side to side. Until you post up your current actual readings, it a crap shoot on what actually wrong.
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Nov 3, 2020 at 08:18 PM.
I called the po and he feels as I do that the shocks on the Vette are original. There is no leaking, no body roll and I feel in control at all speeds. This is my fourth Vette, I have not experience this with any of the others. This is my first C5. Is this common with C5? Bill these came without straps.
Mine is aligned perfectly, evenly wears the tires all the way to bologna skins, it does follow the road to some extent but I wouldn't call it darting. There have been a few roads where I thought "wow" but overall some trammeling is always going to happen. I am sorry I can't be more specific because it's all perception without being able to physically compare.
Bill makes a good point to see your alignment readings.
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Nov 3, 2020 at 08:20 PM.
Question for you. I have and love a 2002 A4 with 59K. On a smooth highway the Vette goes straight down the road. On a ruff highway the car darts to the right or left. I had a four wheel alignment done and that helped, but didn't stop the darting.
So I figured shocks are next. Bought four new C6 Z06 shocks. Problem is or I think might be a problem is I can stand all four shocks on my bench on their ends and compress them with my hands. Are Z06 shocks this soft or are these defective?
It's normal to be able to compress shocks by hand. Try compressing it in 0.1 seconds though, like what happens out on the road. They're designed to control the fast compression and rebound movements, and not so much to act like a spring and stay extended.
The darting around is also normal in my experience, especially if you've lowered the car. On a rough road, it's probably more of a bump steer issue than trammeling.
Thanks fellas, I appreciate all your input. I have learned about bump steer and trammeling. The car has not been lowered. It looks as though I have to live with this issue. It's not that the Vette is dangerous, I just have not experienced this before. Thanks again to all.
It's normal to be able to compress shocks by hand. Try compressing it in 0.1 seconds though, like what happens out on the road. They're designed to control the fast compression and rebound movements, and not so much to act like a spring and stay extended.
The darting around is also normal in my experience, especially if you've lowered the car. On a rough road, it's probably more of a bump steer issue than trammeling.
Thank you. Bump steering is the term I couldn't remember. That is what the parts from vendors claim to reduce. I also agree that it seem to be worse if car is lowered......
Defective Shocks?
