Suspension Issue? 2007 with Z51
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 875
From: Bay Area CA
Depending on the bump, yes, it is normal. Even the build-up of the paint used to mark cross walks and stop lines across the street, so that it is a 1/4" or so above the road surface, is enough to unsettle the rear of the car.
Alignment will only help if one side has the toe way out of spec relative to the other side. The factory alignment leaves a lot to be desired, on the front, but there hasn't been much written about the rear being significantly out of alignment.
This characteristic is normal and really noticeable with a Z06.
Adjustable shocks can help, as well as mentioned above, coilovers.
Alignment will only help if one side has the toe way out of spec relative to the other side. The factory alignment leaves a lot to be desired, on the front, but there hasn't been much written about the rear being significantly out of alignment.
This characteristic is normal and really noticeable with a Z06.
Adjustable shocks can help, as well as mentioned above, coilovers.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,469
Likes: 1,150
From: Wayne Township WI
Why Chevrolet has recurring issues with these kinds of annoying things such as fasteners coming loose themselves, nevermind balancers etc, makes me just scratch my head sometimes.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
Do a search and you will find that having a twitchy rearend or having it step out on the C6 is a common problem on unsettled roads, rough roads.
It's one of the leading complaints when people start looking into replacing the stock stuff with coilovers. Others have mentioned it whenever a thread is started about the leaf springs being an old design.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 878
Likes: 61
From: Louisa, Ky
I put 10k on 07 Z51 and this is not normal. Traded for 08 with softer mag ride though. I had same problem with 08 Impala SS. Handled fine until first oil change and noticed rear tire wear. After dealer aligned it I had the problem your talking about. Every crack in the concrete road sent the rear about 6" hop to the right. I went to a good independent alignment shop and he fixed it. The tracking or total toe is important and was the only spec out on a 2012 GS that I now have. Had it aligned to prevent that premature front inside tire wear that C6 have. Loved my AS/ZP's on the 08. Wish they where available for GS
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,921
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
Coilovers took care of the problem.
Do a search and you will find that having a twitchy rearend or having it step out on the C6 is a common problem on unsettled roads, rough roads.
It's one of the leading complaints when people start looking into replacing the stock stuff with coilovers. Others have mentioned it whenever a thread is started about the leaf springs being an old design.
Do a search and you will find that having a twitchy rearend or having it step out on the C6 is a common problem on unsettled roads, rough roads.
It's one of the leading complaints when people start looking into replacing the stock stuff with coilovers. Others have mentioned it whenever a thread is started about the leaf springs being an old design.
Many don't understand the poor handling characteristics of the traverse leaf spring design regardless of what shocks are mounted. Once they drive a properly set-up coilover mounted car at frwy speeds or above over any bump/uneven road surfaces the downside becomes obvious real quick. Not saying that is the issue with what the op is having as it could be one of several things. Internet speculation is just that...speculation..
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Hey guys, I'm Gene.
I was with him on the road trip. I don't owne a Vette but I'm building a GTM. I do have some experiance bulding/ repairing cars.
This issue is not OK, and no way can it be normal, I hope. I feel shocks are not the issue, although could keep it from happening so much or severe.
Givin the fact the Vette has the toe link, if the car has been lowered without the toe toe adjusted, I could see how under comp or extension it could add or take away toe. It really feels like the rear of the car is turning at the bumps. Going at speed, around a corner at a bump would send the car into a ditch. It even was wanting to turn the a$$ end under hard acceleration, as the rear would squat real hard it wants to turn a little. Bad shocks will let the car bounce up and down too much, but that should have no effect on the how the rear tracks.
I put my vote on rear toe is out.
I was with him on the road trip. I don't owne a Vette but I'm building a GTM. I do have some experiance bulding/ repairing cars.
This issue is not OK, and no way can it be normal, I hope. I feel shocks are not the issue, although could keep it from happening so much or severe.
Givin the fact the Vette has the toe link, if the car has been lowered without the toe toe adjusted, I could see how under comp or extension it could add or take away toe. It really feels like the rear of the car is turning at the bumps. Going at speed, around a corner at a bump would send the car into a ditch. It even was wanting to turn the a$$ end under hard acceleration, as the rear would squat real hard it wants to turn a little. Bad shocks will let the car bounce up and down too much, but that should have no effect on the how the rear tracks.
I put my vote on rear toe is out.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
And if you have a rattling/popping noise from front or rear -- most noticeable at low speeds -- definitely GET NEW END LINKS!
It eliminated the noise and fixed the unsettled rear-floaty feel that developed on my 09 C6 Z51. Felt like new!
About $300 parts & labor at a dealer. Or ~$125 parts and DIY:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-question.html
Related threads:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ifference.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...installed.html
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
And if you have a rattling/popping noise from front or rear -- most noticeable at low speeds -- definitely GET NEW END LINKS!
It eliminated the noise and fixed the unsettled rear-floaty feel that developed on my 09 C6 Z51. Felt like new!
About $300 parts & labor at a dealer. Or ~$125 parts and DIY:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-question.html
Related threads:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ifference.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...installed.html
Question, I saw that the Z51 package may have more agressive negative camber, either from a different upper, or it has more adjustment than the basic. Is that true?
What camber do you guys recomend for him. Also what do you guys find the perfect rear toe setting to be. And if you would, explain what toubles youv'e found from haveing too much rear toe, vs too less rear toe.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I think Mike's LS and CO Light are close to what may be happening. I also feel a couple other things need to be considered: first, tire pressures; second, a good shop that really knows heights and rake and alignment of C6s; and third, a universal look at all items that can affect suspension issues such as the condition of the rear (and front) spring, both sets of end links, steering rack, half shafts, wheel torque, abs/ah/tc, etc.
Of course, starting with the easiest and owner-correctable is the way to go. But you could help if you filled in where you live so that someone might be able to suggest a good C6-knowledgeable shop, or even a dealer service tech (who?
).
jmo. good luck and tell us how it turns out.
Of course, starting with the easiest and owner-correctable is the way to go. But you could help if you filled in where you live so that someone might be able to suggest a good C6-knowledgeable shop, or even a dealer service tech (who?
). jmo. good luck and tell us how it turns out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Rochester WA
I think Mike's LS and CO Light are close to what may be happening. I also feel a couple other things need to be considered: first, tire pressures; second, a good shop that really knows heights and rake and alignment of C6s; and third, a universal look at all items that can affect suspension issues such as the condition of the rear (and front) spring, both sets of end links, steering rack, half shafts, wheel torque, abs/ah/tc, etc.
Of course, starting with the easiest and owner-correctable is the way to go. But you could help if you filled in where you live so that someone might be able to suggest a good C6-knowledgeable shop, or even a dealer service tech (who?).
jmo. good luck and tell us how it turns out.
Of course, starting with the easiest and owner-correctable is the way to go. But you could help if you filled in where you live so that someone might be able to suggest a good C6-knowledgeable shop, or even a dealer service tech (who?
). jmo. good luck and tell us how it turns out.
plan is to get the car in to have alignment checked.
I will search, but if anyone is reading who can reccomend the best specs I'd appreciate it. @fastthings has reccomended a good local guy that I will take the car to and have it checked out.
Thanks for everybody's comments and I will update the thread as it plays out.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 2
From: Mooresville (Race City USA) NC
Sometimes the obvious seems less obvious. The Z51 was offered by GM to those interested in auto crossing. Auto crossing is normally conducted on smooth, dry warm paved surfaces. The Z51 suspension is rather stiff and non-compliant. Bump steer is normal with such suspensions. Why is anyone surprised by this?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 35
From: Jupiter Fl
My 07 Z51 does this when it hits a particularly bumpy part of the road at speed. It's not bad, but you can feel the *** end move around on the bumps a bit. !! Its feels like the back tires momentarily lose traction then regain it as the suspension re compresses. Most likely caused by the stiffer Z-51 shocks and sway bars not working in perfect harmony at that particular point!! Im sure as others have stated, different shocks, tires, sway bars, coil-overs or any combination would fix it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,921
Likes: 5,383
From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
Yuppers, the guy is right on. I would add do a GOOD four way alignment, check tire pressures, do an under car visual and drive it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,829
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Assuming a wheel bearing, tie rod end or some other suspension part isn't loose it sounds like you may have way to much rear toe in. Had my Z set up for the track with a lot of rear toe in so I could get on the power sooner coming out of corners without the rear getting loose. Driving on the street with those settings made the car extremely nervous driving over bumps in a straight line. The rear would jump from one side to the other as I drove over bumps. Once the toe in was set close to zero the rear of the car behaved much better and currently can run down the same stretch of bumpy road without hopping around.
Bill
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 875
From: Bay Area CA
Coilovers took care of the problem.
Do a search and you will find that having a twitchy rearend or having it step out on the C6 is a common problem on unsettled roads, rough roads.
It's one of the leading complaints when people start looking into replacing the stock stuff with coilovers. Others have mentioned it whenever a thread is started about the leaf springs being an old design.
Do a search and you will find that having a twitchy rearend or having it step out on the C6 is a common problem on unsettled roads, rough roads.
It's one of the leading complaints when people start looking into replacing the stock stuff with coilovers. Others have mentioned it whenever a thread is started about the leaf springs being an old design.