At how many miles shoud we replace the stock shocks?

 

They really don't last as long as you might think. Since they deteriorate slowly, you probably wouldn't notice until they got pretty bad.

In June, I bought a 98 Z28 with 49,000 miles on it. Since I autocross it and can't afford the performance shocks that I really want right now, I bought a set of SLP takeoffs ($60 delivered to my house!). After I put them on, I couldn't believe the difference... The old ones felt OK, but boy, the replacements made a big difference...

 

IIRC they are rated as a 30 or 35k mile replacement part, they are not Bilsteins ya know.

 

thats what I suspected! Especially when I hit the brakes.. the front dives alot more.. and the rear end feels more sloppy pulling out of a turn.... I haerd there was a shortage of Bilsteins though?

 

Mine were gone at 30k.

 

Yeah, someone posted Bilsteins are backordered till sometime in January? If its diving on braking in regular driving thats pretty bad.

If you want good shocks I'd wait if you can afford to, if they are really nasty but you still want good stuff, you could buy takeoffs from SLP for $25 front $25 rear, shipping is about $25 each pair (shocks are heavy) so figure about $100, $20 spring compressor, and a couple hours work, then get the Bilsteins or whatever you want when available...

 

I bought take-off shocks from SLP for the rear--rear still failed the bounce test after I put them in. Fixed bounce problem with Bilsteins I'll have a better opinion of the front ones after my revalves come in one day (ordered early November)

 

When the stock shocks go bad does the car feel really "spongy" or what?
My car feels like it's a log wagon, very dead to bumps, and if I make a turn under power it feels like the rearend is walking (moving all around) and binding. It also will spin the tires really easy turning when it does not do it if I'm going straight. Also, on straight take off's, it feels like the rearend is twisting or something ( really weard feeling) like something is flexing or giving. Could this be due to the shocks worn?
I've checked all the suspension and I do not see anything bent or out of the ordinary. HELP ME figure this out.
It also has a vibration that has the pinion seal leaking.
I have replaced the driveshaft with the aluminum LS1, so I know it's not that.
Anyone have any ideas???

Thanks,
Michael

 

This is only my speculation since I haven't driven your car. However, worn shocks could certainly cause your car to wallow in transitions...

For $60, it would probably be worth it to get the SLP takeoffs (assuming they have ones that will fit your car) and put 'em on. Especially if your current shocks have over 20k miles on them.

...just my opinion....

 

Thanks,
They are SLP take-off's, but they now have 71,000 miles.

 

I would think that your shocks would be pretty tired at this point.

Should you purchase the SLP takeoffs as replacements, make sure that the "latest" takeoffs will really fit your car. The reason I say this is that your sig. mentions a 95 Z28 (LT1) and the takeoffs would likely be from a newer f-body (LS1). I am not 100% sure about this, but the shocks may be different between these cars (not sure, just guessing).

 

MC, maybe your posi unit is dying, are you religiously replacing the rear end fluid every 7,500 miles? If you can make a video of a burnout, and see that only one tire is spinning during part of the sequence, then its dying.

LS1/LT1 shocks will fit, the springs on the LS1s are slightly different rate but they fit the same.

 

Update, I just called Strano, and ordered a front 35 mm sway bar and Revalved bilsteins.. I probably wont' get the shocks till end of January though..

 

I'm still waiting for mine (ordered early November)--current estimate is January 10th. Aryln I think said Bilstein has a Backorder demand of > 300. Good luck on yours.

 

The burnout's are fine.
Both tires spin all through first and half of second.
Good even black marks.