I have a 1995 Z28 that I bought new. Years ago the rear axle was changed under warrranty due to excessive noise from the limited slip.

I am planning a suspension upgrade, I was checking out the rear springs and noticed that the spring has no rubber isolator on the upper or lower rear spring perch.

I am concerned that the mechanics might have left them out and thrown them away after changing the axle.

Does anyone know if the rubber isolator was factory installed on 1995 Z28's????

Thanks for reading my post

 

Yes they are factory install in EVERY f-body. You aren't doing any damage by not having them in, assuming you dont have them. Last time i checked they were about 8 dollars each from a dealer.

 

If you like the ride height to stay as it is lots of guys leave out the rubber and replace it with some 5/8" heater hose slid over the first couple of coils.

 

I guess it is a profit issue, Dealerships must pay the mechanics about $10.00 an hour and charge GM or you $70.00.

I get so weary of having to check the work of everyone that touches my car. I never thought that anyone would leave out a pair of 5"dia rubber doughnuts and send a car out the door.

The lack of this isolator may explain why the rear bump stops were destroyed. Only the bolts and shreds of the rubber stop's where left. The loss of 1/2" or so, of ride height might have put more load on the stops. I have been driving the car like this for at least 8 years.

The rubber hose sounds like a good idea, or I will try to find the P/N of the isolators.

If anyone else can confirm that 95 Z28 had the isolators I would like to hear about it.

Thanks

 

The P/N: of the isolator if anyone needs it.

10290379

GMPD-GM LIST: $16.16
OUR PRICE: $9.21

I guess I will buy two, to correct the oversight of the mechanics, at least they remembered the springs.

Thanks

 

Trust me buddy, every f-body from 82-02 whether it was a 4 cyl, 6cyl or 8cyl, had spring isolators in the back.

 

I would have expected all of them to have isolators.

But, sometimes you get suprised.

Thank You for your help.

 

I have a 97 ss that I bought new and no one has ever done any rear end work and Mine doesn't have them. I also get the clanking noise form there when going over bumps as a result. I'm sure you guys have heard of many people that have that noise.

 

I suggest you go remove your springs to be certain. I would put money on them being there. They go on the top of the spring up into the perch. They can actualy stick to the inside of the car, so if you remove a spring and there is no isolator when you remove it, get under and look up, its probobly stuck up there.

 

I remember seeing a reply from Sam Strano in ls1tech.com regarding the heater hose mod. I think he said that using rear springs, without any form of spring isolators, will cause metal to metal contact and that, eventually, the springs will form a hole in the car's body. And that's why, at the minimum, people would use a 5/8"-3/4" heater hose in place of the much thicker rear spring isolators to lower the car 1/2"-3/4".

 

Just to be clear, there are no isolators on the lower end of the rear springs, just the upper end.