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08 Z51 Bottoming Out

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Old May 12, 2010 | 09:47 PM
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Default 08 Z51 Bottoming Out

I've noticed that my suspension has started to bottom out at 60 mph going over some very light rises in the roadway. Has anyone else seen this? Is it likely weak springs or bad shocks? Only have 12k miles on this car.

Dale
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Old May 12, 2010 | 10:24 PM
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tires at right pressure? I haven't noticed it and I'm at 24K+ miles. anything dragging or loose? is it leaning, side to side, on a level surface?
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Old May 13, 2010 | 12:57 AM
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It's just that you've exceeded the limitations of the Z51 suspension. The F55 is the upgrade, but be happy, because the Z51 is an upgrade from the base suspension that wouldn't have gotten you this far.

Here's an older article, that still applies today, that may explain it better.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...s+the+50th+Car
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Old May 14, 2010 | 12:17 AM
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are you sure its bottoming out or that flap under the bumper rubbing momentarily? check your leaf springs, hopefully one is not cracked or splintering or someting
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Old May 14, 2010 | 06:44 AM
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Something is not right ... no reason that should be happening. As others have suggested, inspect the springs to make sure one did not crack (unusual, but it happens), make sure all four shocks are still bolted in (again, unusual, but it happens) and that there is no oil leaking down the shocks.

A stock Vette has lots of ground clearance (oddly, but true) so the only thing that should "bottom" is the rubber air dam in front, and it is supposed to.

Many people have replaced the Z51 shocks with Bilstiens (either Sports of HDs) but that is normally for slightly better performance/ride, not for bottoming (still its a worthwhile upgrade, as are Koni's)
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