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Don't really want to be "that guy" who comments on wheels, but pretty sure those are early C5 wheels on your car. Not a problem per se, but makes me wonder what else is " not stock". If there is a good Corvette shop in your area (get hooked up with local Corvette club for reference) have them give your suspension a once over. Might save you some time a d effort on solving your issue. YMMV
Don't really want to be "that guy" who comments on wheels, but pretty sure those are early C5 wheels on your car. Not a problem per se, but makes me wonder what else is " not stock". If there is a good Corvette shop in your area (get hooked up with local Corvette club for reference) have them give your suspension a once over. Might save you some time a d effort on solving your issue. YMMV
I actually just put the wagon wheels on. But you may be right, the car appears stock, not sure though. It had the OEM wheels from 1990.
I have a 1990, and recently have developed the same problem. If I'm correct, it's not the "rough ride" and many are commenting on.
It's actually trying to move the car sideways when you hit a rut, or pothole. Am I correct?
I had an appt. to get mine checked out with a local suspension specialist, because it feels very unsafe, but the CoronaVirus has put that on hold for a bit.
Point being, that it's not normal for it to be uncontrollable, just a bit uncomfortable.
Wide wheels/tires + short side walls + stiff shocks and suspension = rough ride, but makes for awesome handling in the corners! There is a fine line between handling and comfort, you can have a little of both with sacrifice, but hard to have 100% of both. Vettes were built for handling, if you want comfort look at GM's line of Cadillac automobiles.
I have a 1990, and recently have developed the same problem. If I'm correct, it's not the "rough ride" and many are commenting on.
It's actually trying to move the car sideways when you hit a rut, or pothole. Am I correct?
I had an appt. to get mine checked out with a local suspension specialist, because it feels very unsafe, but the CoronaVirus has put that on hold for a bit.
Point being, that it's not normal for it to be uncontrollable, just a bit uncomfortable.
Well, it's both. I definitely don't like the rougher than normal ride (I have a feeling it's rougher than normal). Hopefully the new shocks will remedy this. Just ordered new tires as well, the current ones are very old rubber.
But yes, it's the uncontrollable aspect that's more bothersome. I drove it last night and paid more attention to what's going on. The steering is pretty tight. It seems the rear end is jumping out quite a bit on potholes, at normal speed. So, it's understandable, when I hit the pothole at 60mph entering the freeway, why it really let loose! It seemed to be the right rear. But that could be what side hit the pothole.
I'm crawling under the car today, to get a good look around. Check out springs, bushings, etc.
Plus, I'm going to install the parts I purchased (shocks, tie rods, tires), and have it aligned. This is a good place to start, without spending additional money.
Wide wheels/tires + short side walls + stiff shocks and suspension = rough ride, but makes for awesome handling in the corners! There is a fine line between handling and comfort, you can have a little of both with sacrifice, but hard to have 100% of both. Vettes were built for handling, if you want comfort look at GM's line of Cadillac automobiles.
I'm not looking for comfort, my truck provides this. All of my cars have had sport suspensions, can't imagine this car is supposed to be this rough and out of control.
Don’t do this to mask a suspension problem as I am sticking to the fiberglass springs but under the seat bottom, remove it (one clip) and you will see two “trapeze” springs and straps, all corvettes are made ready to accepts FOUR springs and straps on each side. Order you four more , new or used and put four on each side, this helps the ride and also reduces seat wear especially if your planning new high dollar leather!
Don’t do this to mask a suspension problem as I am sticking to the fiberglass springs but under the seat bottom, remove it (one clip) and you will see two “trapeze” springs and straps, all corvettes are made ready to accepts FOUR springs and straps on each side. Order you four more , new or used and put four on each side, this helps the ride and also reduces seat wear especially if your planning new high dollar leather!
Get the alignment checked. My sister's 93 was "wicked" when she first got it. We had an alignment done and it was much better after that. I think her's had some rear toe out that caused the issue, but don't remember for sure as it was 10 years ago now.
I have a feeling this will help quite a bit, as well as parts to be replaced.
Well, it was freezing out again today, but I checked out the rear (joke there somewhere). The only thing suspicious were the shocks, they were toast, I could easily push them in with one hand. I braved the cold and replaced with KYB's (will do fronts tomorrow). I attached three pics, the leaf spring seems fine, just a few scratches. I looked at bushings, didn't notice any major cracks or wear. The wheels were pretty tight, no play at 9 & 3, very slight at 12 & 6.
I did come to the realization, that this car was probably sitting for a while, prior to me purchasing. I know it was driven about 100 miles in last few months. Fluids were bad, calipers had patina, pan and tranny are seeping, etc. Wondering if bushings could be dried out?
Anyways, I'll know better by the weekend, as I continue this journey.
Leaf spring, does this look okay? Just seems scratched, this is worst of it. Bushings seem okay, no major cracking. Leaf spring
All KYB's are installed, and a definite improvement! The original Bilstein's were shot. Looks like it's time to change bushings up front as well. I've never replaced bushings, hope this works out for me, guess I'll order the kit. I've changed plenty control arms and tie rods though.
After driving today, and really paying attention to the suspension, seems it's the rear that likes to kick out, after hitting sizable bumps. It's really unnerving above 40mph, hope this issue goes away.
All KYB's are installed, and a definite improvement! The original Bilstein's were shot. Looks like it's time to change bushings up front as well. I've never replaced bushings, hope this works out for me, guess I'll order the kit. I've changed plenty control arms and tie rods though.
After driving today, and really paying attention to the suspension, seems it's the rear that likes to kick out, after hitting sizable bumps. It's really unnerving above 40mph, hope this issue goes away.
thanks
I think you wanyo pay respects in this order.
Rear camber adjustment inner they are behind adjustment so you cant see.
Sway bar side bush easy to see.
Dog bones mine were oblong those are the 4 on the inside for body
In front I did tie rods and sway bar bush.
Did misc others. I used the red for looks and lot of lube no squeaks for 4 yrs.
Lowered back 2 inches.
Great so far.
good luck
I think you wanyo pay respects in this order.
rear camber adjustment inner they are behind adjustment so you cant see.
away bar side Bush easy to see.
Dog bones mine were oblong those are the 4 on the inside for body
in front I did tie rods and sway bar bush.
Did misc others. I used the red for looks and lot of lube no squeaks for 4 yrs.
Lowered back 2 inches.
great so far.
good luck
Suspension is getting significantly better with each upgrade. The KYB shocks helped stabilize (no more bouncy), and the new tires smoothed the ride quite a bit. The violent ride is now rough on crappy roads. I'm replacing the Rear Sway Bar bushings as recommended by you guys, they appear to need it.
Will continue to update, hoping this will help someone out there.
My front sway bush was doing something funky. Loose somehow, but the aftermarket had some kind of prevention to fix the problem.
I did not know how I fixed the looseness of the old one but this is how it should be.
04-14-2020, 10:03 PM
