'03 C5, 130k miles, do I need Leaf Spring Replacement
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Golden CO
'03 C5, 130k miles, do I need Leaf Spring Replacement
New Bilsteins about 4k miles ago (stock, I disabled 'magneride'), new tires last year. Handles great but has a problem not bottoming on speed bumps at low speed (not just the air dam - the frame!) and any smallish road crack or pothole, it feels like it's hitting so hard the car is going to break in half.
Would that be springs, there's nothing left in the suspension to replace. And they're cheap so, it's worth throwing parts at it just to see if that's the fix.
Still, I'd appreciate feedback. It's my 5th vette, I know they ride stiff, it ain't no MB. But this seems excessive and not how I remember it from when I purchased it in '05 with 25k miles.
THANKS.
Would that be springs, there's nothing left in the suspension to replace. And they're cheap so, it's worth throwing parts at it just to see if that's the fix.
Still, I'd appreciate feedback. It's my 5th vette, I know they ride stiff, it ain't no MB. But this seems excessive and not how I remember it from when I purchased it in '05 with 25k miles.
THANKS.
Last edited by DWC4; Mar 18, 2025 at 03:31 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,170
From: Dyer, IN
New Bilsteins about 4k miles ago (stock, I disabled 'magneride'), new tires last year. Handles great but has a problem not bottoming on speed bumps at low speed (not just the air dam - the frame!) and any smallish road crack or pothole, it feels like it's hitting so hard the car is to break in half.
Would that be springs, there's nothing left in the suspension to replace. And they're cheap so, it's worth throwing parts at it just to see if that's the fix.
Still, I'd appreciate feedback. It's my 5th vette, I know they ride stiff, it ain't no MB. But this seems excessive and not how I remember it from when I purchased it in '05 with 25k miles.
THANKS.
Would that be springs, there's nothing left in the suspension to replace. And they're cheap so, it's worth throwing parts at it just to see if that's the fix.
Still, I'd appreciate feedback. It's my 5th vette, I know they ride stiff, it ain't no MB. But this seems excessive and not how I remember it from when I purchased it in '05 with 25k miles.
THANKS.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Golden CO
thanks.
Last edited by DWC4; Mar 19, 2025 at 08:30 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
Likes: 919
From: CONCORD NC
I don't think the fiberglass springs "wear out".....inspect for cracks and if they look good they are fine.. You could raise the ride height if it's bottoming out too often, leaf springs can settle over time but that doesn't mean they are "broken"
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Golden CO
Thanks, I've not really 'inspected' them and I'll do so!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,679
Likes: 692
From: Pingree Grove IL
Put bilstein B6’s on mine a few years ago. It’s the shocks brother. If you wanted a smooth ride, should have went adjustable coilovers, or some type of chinese mag ride shock replacement. C6 z06 shocks are probably B6 equivalent, so don’t go that route either. Good luck.
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