Greetings!... F45 shock question.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 658
Likes: 6
From: Sabin MN
Greetings!... F45 shock question.
Good morning folks!
I am brand new to the Corvetteforum and am a first-time Corvette owner... I have wanted a Vette since I was 15 and my wife finally said yes! I am the second owner of a 1998 C5 convertible pewter/tan with 31,000 miles. The car has the F45 suspension. After aquiring the car, we noticed some brake vibration... typically due to warpage of the rotors. Yesterday my mechanic turned the rotors and inspected the pads and deemed the rears at 60% and the fronts at 50%. I figure I can wait to replace the pads. Upon his inspection, the mechanic pointed out irregular wear (cupping) on both of the front original GY F1 EMT’s. I had noticed a pretty prominent ”wowwow” noise coming from the front tires and was expecting to find some cupping somewhere. The mechanic is pointing the finger at weak front shocks causing the front tires to “dribble” down the road. The shocks are NOT leaking. Could this cupping be caused by something other than the shocks?... ie: alignment, camber, sway bars etc. I know it is quite expensive to replace the shocks and I did find that Billstien will rebuild them for approximately $100 apiece. But should these be failing at 31,000 miles? Anyway, I am proud to be a Vette owner and am proud to be a member of this forum! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Peace out. :thumbs:
I am brand new to the Corvetteforum and am a first-time Corvette owner... I have wanted a Vette since I was 15 and my wife finally said yes! I am the second owner of a 1998 C5 convertible pewter/tan with 31,000 miles. The car has the F45 suspension. After aquiring the car, we noticed some brake vibration... typically due to warpage of the rotors. Yesterday my mechanic turned the rotors and inspected the pads and deemed the rears at 60% and the fronts at 50%. I figure I can wait to replace the pads. Upon his inspection, the mechanic pointed out irregular wear (cupping) on both of the front original GY F1 EMT’s. I had noticed a pretty prominent ”wowwow” noise coming from the front tires and was expecting to find some cupping somewhere. The mechanic is pointing the finger at weak front shocks causing the front tires to “dribble” down the road. The shocks are NOT leaking. Could this cupping be caused by something other than the shocks?... ie: alignment, camber, sway bars etc. I know it is quite expensive to replace the shocks and I did find that Billstien will rebuild them for approximately $100 apiece. But should these be failing at 31,000 miles? Anyway, I am proud to be a Vette owner and am proud to be a member of this forum! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Peace out. :thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 8
From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
Re: Greetings!... F45 shock question. (smdorsey)
Welcome to the forum and congratulations to both your AND your wife on your new Vette. Drive in good health!
I do not think the cupping is being caused by your F45 shocks although someone more of an expert than me will hopefully chime in.
I have the F45 suspension system on my 1999 and I have about 42K on the car. I had over 22K on my front tires when I replaced them late last year and they did not have any wear issues.
Hope you get this worked out before too long!
:cheers:
I do not think the cupping is being caused by your F45 shocks although someone more of an expert than me will hopefully chime in.
I have the F45 suspension system on my 1999 and I have about 42K on the car. I had over 22K on my front tires when I replaced them late last year and they did not have any wear issues.
Hope you get this worked out before too long!
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles CA
Re: Greetings!... F45 shock question. (AnteVenom)
Find a good alignment shop and try that route first. F45 (which I had in my '98) should not cause any problems with front tire wear.
By the way, I seem to recall that Bilstein will not rebuild the newer (C5) F45 shocks since they don't make them. Not sure, though.
[Modified by allanlaw, 11:29 AM 2/4/2004]
By the way, I seem to recall that Bilstein will not rebuild the newer (C5) F45 shocks since they don't make them. Not sure, though.
[Modified by allanlaw, 11:29 AM 2/4/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: Greetings!... F45 shock question. (allanlaw)
Get rid of the Mechanic and take it to an alignment shop. The would not cause what he is telling you. If the shocks were bad they would not have the right ohms for start up when the signal is sent out by the BCM/PCM. You would get a service ride control or service shock code.
Check the alignment first. :thumbs:
Check the alignment first. :thumbs:
