C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

$455 a piece C6 front shocks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 31, 2019 | 05:58 PM
  #1  
Homebetter@aol.com's Avatar
Homebetter@aol.com
Thread Starter
Navigator
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Default $455 a piece C6 front shocks

I have a popping sound coming from the front of my C6, I want to replace the shocks, but I'm told I need the $455 a piece ones, ouch! (Is that Magna Ride?)
Question is can I replace the expensive ones with a pair of standard ones? I'm guessing I will lose the sport/street setting, but maybe since I've never even used it I wont miss it.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2019 | 07:08 PM
  #2  
Iceaxe's Avatar
Iceaxe
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Default

Yes you can swap in the normal shocks. It's a popular swap. A set of 4 Z06 shocks cost about $300 on Ebay. Or you can go Bilsteins for about $400 a set.

You will also need a Tech 2 to program the electronic shocks out of the system. Or you can purchase adapters the plug into your shock connections to fool the system into believing you still have the manga ride shocks.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2019 | 07:15 PM
  #3  
4SUMERZ's Avatar
4SUMERZ
Race Director
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
Default

How do you know it's the shock causing the popping noise? It could be a sway bar end link, or something else. The Mag Ride shocks are built to last a long time, and are pretty efficient. Some show signs of oil leaks, but just minor seal seepage more than anything, and usually not an issue.
We don't know the type of mileage or age of your Mag Shocks, so it's hard to diagnose.
As per your question:
You can replace them with regular shocks of your liking (OEM, Bilstein, etc.), but you would likely get DTC codes and a "Service Suspension System" , or "Shocks Inoperative" or "Maximum Speed - 80 MPH" message In order to fix those DTC codes, you can buy C6 Corvette 2005-2013 Shock Absorber Simulators - F55 Selective Ride Control, that will trick the computer to believe it has the Mag shocks installed. The simulators are Approx. $350.00 for the 4. As mentioned, the Tech II can be used to remove them from the system.

I'm sure those that have replaced the Mag shocks will chime in.

Good Luck

Last edited by 4SUMERZ; Oct 31, 2019 at 07:19 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2019 | 09:24 PM
  #4  
Homebetter@aol.com's Avatar
Homebetter@aol.com
Thread Starter
Navigator
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by 4SUMERZ
How do you know it's the shock causing the popping noise? It could be a sway bar end link, or something else. The Mag Ride shocks are built to last a long time, and are pretty efficient. Some show signs of oil leaks, but just minor seal seepage more than anything, and usually not an issue.
We don't know the type of mileage or age of your Mag Shocks, so it's hard to diagnose.
As per your question:
You can replace them with regular shocks of your liking (OEM, Bilstein, etc.), but you would likely get DTC codes and a "Service Suspension System" , or "Shocks Inoperative" or "Maximum Speed - 80 MPH" message In order to fix those DTC codes, you can buy C6 Corvette 2005-2013 Shock Absorber Simulators - F55 Selective Ride Control, that will trick the computer to believe it has the Mag shocks installed. The simulators are Approx. $350.00 for the 4. As mentioned, the Tech II can be used to remove them from the system.

I'm sure those that have replaced the Mag shocks will chime in.

Good Luck
Outstanding gents,
I had the car on a rack yesterday and could tell the upper control arm was slightly bent and making contact wit the shock. I am replacing the upper and lower control arms and thought I would do the shock too. Not realizing all 4 would need to be swapped over.
I am convinced that I will keep the system in place and simply buy the replacement shock if the noise isn't remedied by the control arm replacement. The height adjuster pad is worn unevenly too.
I have an 08 6.2 4LT with 49,000 on the odo. Truthfully I know it was in a front end collision just prior to me buying it, where the air bags did not deploy, I knew this going into the purchase, and I'm okay with that.
Thank you all for your quick replies!
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2019 | 09:29 PM
  #5  
Homebetter@aol.com's Avatar
Homebetter@aol.com
Thread Starter
Navigator
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Default


We checked all sway bar links and bushes, at full droop and compressed.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2019 | 10:54 PM
  #6  
Sox-Fan's Avatar
Sox-Fan
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 346
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Default

it's entirely normal for the upper control arm to come into contact with the shock when the car is on a lift and the suspension is hanging.

I hope you're not replacing control arms for this reason alone, because you're going to be sadly disappointed after you're done and it still hits the shock when the suspension is hanging.

Last edited by Sox-Fan; Oct 31, 2019 at 10:55 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2019 | 01:30 PM
  #7  
96GS#007's Avatar
96GS#007
Race Director
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Sox-Fan
it's entirely normal for the upper control arm to come into contact with the shock when the car is on a lift and the suspension is hanging.

I hope you're not replacing control arms for this reason alone, because you're going to be sadly disappointed after you're done and it still hits the shock when the suspension is hanging.
Exactly

99 times out of 100, it's the end links on the sway bar. $50 each. Sounds like the OP just tossed a bunch of money away
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2019 | 03:53 PM
  #8  
HOXXOH's Avatar
HOXXOH
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default

Popping sounds are sway links. Disconnect them and drive a bit to verify. They generally need replaced about every 50K miles if you drive more than just locally. About $25-35 each from online dealers.

BTW, the ride height pads are not available from the dealer except as part of a spring assembly. If you feel the need to replace them, use aftermarket parts from Corvette Central. They will be a little larger than OEM on the front, but identical size as rears.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To $455 a piece C6 front shocks

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:49 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE