Rebuild or replace shocks

[tomtom72]

Hi guys,

Just got off the phone with my favorite chevy dealer & they told me the 90 thru 91 FX3 shocks are discontinued.....rear shocks appear to be out of the system and front shocks appear to be getting scarce. Oh, and if you could buy these shocks they look to be about $1200.00 for a set.

I know Bilstein offers a rebuilding service. I followed a few threads and let's just say that it appears that most were not too happy with the service end of the deal.....the rebuilding from a mechanical aspect seemed to be okay but the stuff came back looking like old shocks and the price was laced with a lot of extras that raised the price.

The partsladie is selling sets for like 750 and some one else is selling them for 650 for the early cars. They list them as sport valving ??? I know the prevaling wisdom w/the rebuilds is to go up to Maccoa(?) valving.

Reason I'm asking is I think mine are failing. I seem to have to use the sport setting more often to correct porposing, excessive up & down movement on undulating pavement. Heck I've even started to use the performance setting without loosing my fillings. Oh, yea I've got 27 thou miles on my 90 Z.

What do you guys think? Is it I'm just too used to the tour and sport settings? The shocks don't seem to be loosing oil at an excessive rate as I wipe them during my weekly detailing sessions.

Thanks

Tom

[Sgreg]

On the surface, 27,000 miles isn't a lot maybe time is more your enemy. The front springs may be be getting a little fatigued and that could be the real cause of your handling problem.

[tomtom72]

Sgreg thanks for your view on the time aspect. Ya know I was thinking that my car sat a lot with it's original owner. He only put about 7800 miles on it in 15 yrs. Then I get her and go from there to 27,5xx from 4/05 till right now.

I joke that all the rubber parts in all the hyd systems think that they have been sold into slavery!

I'd hate to think I have a front spring to replace....that looks to be soooo much fun! I hate to say this but if I have to do the springs I might just go to coil overs....and keep the FX3 anyway w/ new or rebuilt shocks? How do you tell if the spring has fatigued? I guess I'll have to learn about the C4 suspension more than I had wanted to!

Thanks for your thoughts!

[petefias]

Originally Posted by Sgreg

On the surface, 27,000 miles isn't a lot maybe time is more your enemy. The front springs may be be getting a little fatigued and that could be the real cause of your handling problem.

A sagging car would be the symptom of a fatiqued spring primarily, not excessive up & down movement on undulating pavement. Such a handling problem is caused by weak shocks.

I have also noticed that my 26K mile car is getting bouncy. I also "wiped" the shocks one too many times, I think. A shock rebuild on a 12 year old car should not be considered unexpected.

Pete '95 #442

Tom, age does more harm than miles IMHO. I revalved my shocks with maye 20k miles on the clock back in 01. Probably some of the best money I have spent. If you are experiencing some float it is definately the shocks. Don't worry about the condition of the shocks when you get them back, some simple green and grease eater will get them looking like new. Plus you're not a garage queen. Enjoy the beast!

[tomtom72]

Ain't dat da truft! No garage Q here fo sho, word!......but my interior still smells new! I recently did the leather thing.

I also figured out that the drive train is the only part of my car that doesn't think it's been sold into slavery.......it looks like this--->

Thanks Jeff for checking in with your thoughts. I value your experience. I kind of figured time was the enemy here. Looks like I'm gonna be busy this winter season.....shocks, ball joints, bushings, rear brakes......this may get out of hand quickly.....the old "while we're here" thing!


Tom

[93 ZR1 Barcelona]

Hello.

My experience says:

REPLACE SHOCKS WITH ORIGINAL FX3 BILSTEIN NEW UNITS. AND DO FRONT AND REAR AT THE SAME TIME.

You can find new FX3 shock sets on EBAY from various sellers. They have the best price for them. Prices vary from 650,00 to 700,00 US Dollars set.

Be carefull that 90-91 shocks are different from 92-95. The difference is in the slave motors driving the shock valve rods. You must use the ones required for your ZR1 model year, or damage to shocks or motors will happen.

It is normal that a thin layer of oil is present on the shock rod and does not mean that the shock is bad.

If you can, go to your car service workshop and have your 4 shocks tested in a vibrating machine. If they read about 60-70% effectivity they are OK. If you have a bad shock they will read less.

Remember to put the ignition key in run position before the test, to place all shock valves to the minimum position. It doesn't matter which FX3 switch position you have. When the car is stopped, shocks are adjusted to minimum position.

And think that a new set of shocks is the best money spent on your ZR1. Safety is first, and shocks do a lot for it.

Thanks

Ramon.




And remember....


ZR1 means PUSHROD FREE.