Hey Everyone

Haven't posted much, well ever.....

But I have a 94 Z28 Convertible and I want to make this thing ride nice, not rough but nice and last year I upgraded shocks, springs and struts, but the car still sounds like its going to fall apart when I hit a bump.

I hear rattling in the trunk and when I stop the car to get out to check it out I can't find any loose parts or loose bolts, also heard from a place I took my car to get my brakes checked out that they said I need to new ball joints as well.

I really love this car and know nothing about how to get it fixed or what to do to make it ride smoother and was hoping someone here could point me in the right direction or give me some advice or something.

Thanks for all the responses in advance

Mike

P.S. if anyone is on this board from Rochester NY and thinks they can help me and perhaps wants to take a spin in it to see and feel what I feel then just let me know

 

What springs and shocks (there are no struts on a 4th Gen) did you install?

 

Mine is in the shop as we speak for the same symtoms! I will let you know what the tech comes up with!

 

I purchased Bilstein HD Kit from Strano Performance, front and rear, as well as Brembo front and rear rotors and pads from Strano Performance, had them installed at Turner Corvette in Victor NY. You are right I did not purchase struts, thought I did but I only purchase shocks and springs.


I have my car checked numerous times by Turner Corvette, Chevy dealerships and independent auto shops and each time they say nothing is wrong, how can nothing be wrong with my car when it makes those noises and rides awful?

Any advice?

 

our cars have a tendency to rattle
sfc's usually help out alot

 

How many miles on the rest of the suspension? Has anything else ever been replaced?

 

For the record.... I've tried to help Mike. I told him I'd be happy to speak to him, but he'd need to call. I can't fix his car by e-mail. I also mentioned that the shock/spring combination might be the problem, but I'm not sure. Now that combination was his decision, and I strongly recommended either stock springs with the HD's, or Revalves with the springs (and I think he did Hotchkis). He wanted the car lowered that I do recall because I wouldn't have put him on lowering springs otherwise.

Anyway, wanted to go on record here since I sold the parts... I tried to do my job, and even a year or so later am willing to support the product. But, I was blunt and that was mistaken for being rude. One of the many reasons e-mail doesn't work for explaining things.

So, I've done what I can. I'm sorry Mike doesn't like his results, but there are many holes in the explanation that could have effects. Hell, there could be too much air in the tires, or maybe his running tires that have a very stiff sidewall? These are things I could know, but it seems it's easier to ask a keyboard than dial the phone.

 

Those squeeks and rattles are part of this car's charm. Remember, it's a 16 year old car. Just roll down the windows and let the exhaust note drown out the interior noises.

 

Well guys, Sam did try to help and I confused his asking me to call with him not wanting to deal directly with me and I apologized to Sam for screwing up. I am not blaming him for the shocks or springs. I like them and the rattles and such just got worse in the past few months.

Here is the thing the car has 70k miles on it, shocks, springs, brakes are the only thing that I have replaced. I run on Kuhmo ECSTA Surpra tires and American Racing Torque Thrust II 17 rims (17 x 9.5)

The rattles are fine, but what scares me is the fact that the car's steering is getting very loose (had it checked out, auto shop said it feels like every other camaro they have dealt with, my buddy has a 95 Z28 with 85k on it and his steering is very very tight, while mine is loose). Hitting bumps at low speeds or high speeds yields the same results, a huge shock to the car.

To tell you the type of shock I mean or type of bump I mean, there is a road on my way to work, they are redoing it, I will roll over these bumps at 20mph or lower and it skips my cd player (an after market cd player that was professional installed). I mean something has got to be happening for it to skip the cd player. In the same regards my buddy with the 95 z28 went over the bumps just the other day at 40 mph and he has an after market cd player and no skip, nothing, it just rolled the bump completely fine.

I guess you really have to drive it to figure out whats wrong with it or hear what I hear. Hopefully Jason Short can help me diagnose some of my problems.

Again Sam helped me out last year but I thought he was blowing me off this year, but I confused what he wrote. He is right a keyboard cannot help fix my car, but hopefully it helps me get in contact with someone who I can show my problems to and have them fixed. Maybe Sam will talk to me again on the phone and help me out. Again Sam I am sorry for being rude.

Thanks and sorry for the long post
Mike