F45 suspension and squeaks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 81
From: Bel Air MD
F45 suspension and squeaks
My 1999 has 80,000 miles with the F45 suspension. I have owned the car 23 years and it had 25,000 miles when I got it. I could never tell a difference in ride between the three settings. When going over a slight bump or speed bump the whole car squeaks. I just had the fron sway bar end links and bushings replaced and I am pretty certain that the shocks are not leaking. Could worn out shocks be causing the squeaking?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
Wow! Another high mileage vette with it's original F45 suspension. Good to see you! I have a 1998 with 158K miles and my F45s still work fine. I did replace my original sway bars (and links and bushings) with C6 Z51 bars and it turned the car into a sports car. Try them if you can.
When I first got the car I shot the shock shafts with silicone spray and it seemed to make some difference. That was 17 years ago so it must have worn off by now.
Other things I did that made the F45s come alive were to drop the original type Goodyear run flat tires. I originally went with MIchelin ZP Pilot sports and now BF Goodrich non-run flats. The ride and handling is again much improved.
Another thing I did was to pull the battery for 10-30 minutes. It seems to re-set what ever computer is in charge of the F45 shocks. It seems to make the different settings more noticeable. Every time I pull the battery for whatever reason I notice the shocks seems more responsive.
I don't believe F45s shocks were delivered with "shock stuffers" like the later F55s. They are an entirely different technology.
When I first got the car I shot the shock shafts with silicone spray and it seemed to make some difference. That was 17 years ago so it must have worn off by now.
Other things I did that made the F45s come alive were to drop the original type Goodyear run flat tires. I originally went with MIchelin ZP Pilot sports and now BF Goodrich non-run flats. The ride and handling is again much improved.
Another thing I did was to pull the battery for 10-30 minutes. It seems to re-set what ever computer is in charge of the F45 shocks. It seems to make the different settings more noticeable. Every time I pull the battery for whatever reason I notice the shocks seems more responsive.
I don't believe F45s shocks were delivered with "shock stuffers" like the later F55s. They are an entirely different technology.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,145
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
OP, did your car squeak before the new bushings? Did you go with rubber or poly bushings and did you use the right bushing lube?
I’m the original owner of my ‘99 with F45 and 133k miles. My car has Z06 sway bars and poly bushings. And it does not squeak. And I can tell the difference immediately between touring mode and competition. I never really found Sport to have much of a difference from touring. So in 25 years I really only switch between touring and comp. Which again, is a very noticeable change.
I’m the original owner of my ‘99 with F45 and 133k miles. My car has Z06 sway bars and poly bushings. And it does not squeak. And I can tell the difference immediately between touring mode and competition. I never really found Sport to have much of a difference from touring. So in 25 years I really only switch between touring and comp. Which again, is a very noticeable change.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 81
From: Bel Air MD
OP, did your car squeak before the new bushings? Did you go with rubber or poly bushings and did you use the right bushing lube?
I’m the original owner of my ‘99 with F45 and 133k miles. My car has Z06 sway bars and poly bushings. And it does not squeak. And I can tell the difference immediately between touring mode and competition. I never really found Sport to have much of a difference from touring. So in 25 years I really only switch between touring and comp. Which again, is a very noticeable change.
I’m the original owner of my ‘99 with F45 and 133k miles. My car has Z06 sway bars and poly bushings. And it does not squeak. And I can tell the difference immediately between touring mode and competition. I never really found Sport to have much of a difference from touring. So in 25 years I really only switch between touring and comp. Which again, is a very noticeable change.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,145
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Well, at least you eliminated the end links and bushings being the issue. Which most times they are the culprit. If you still experience the squeeks then it could very well be the shocks themselves. Especially if you don't feel a difference between touring and comp mode. I'd do a bump test with touring then comp mode to see if you hear any difference between the two. The car would likely squeek less when in comp mode due to less shock travel (if the F45 is working). A little more process of elimination to hone in on the root cause.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
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