Hi,
If the vehicle is on a flat surface and cants to the left or right what's the likely cause? I'm replacing the old shocks soon and was curious if that doesn't fix it leaning to the right what else it could be.

 

Eric,

I doubt that new shocks will change the lean of a car while sitting on level pavement. The old shocks would need to be badly worn, if you were to get that result from new shocks.

Suspension springs can get weak, or cracked. With the car sitting level, check how high each spring is physically, while they hold up the car's weight. Aftermarket "performance" springs can be surprisingly affordable; just choose the recommended spring strength that you need.

Sometimes a PO has installed spring "lifters" or spacers to boost up a pair of weak coils. You may have lost (or damaged) one of those. That problem should be easy to check, visually.
.

 

Ok, thanks for the heads up. Vehicle has original 1LE springs with 126K on them, they're 360lbs in the front and 160-180lbs in the back IIRC.

I'll see how it sits after R&Ring the shocks, which are original and they're shot, no good anymore.

 

If you're planning to do suspension work, I would contact Sam Strano. Hs can provide both great advice and parts.

 

If you're going to go through the work to separate the front coil-over spring/shock assembly, you should think about changing the springs at the same time. Shocks don't control ride height. Maybe with severe damage to the shock, but you would feel that when the body moves up and down .

 

Sorry for the late reply.

Yeah the shocks are VERY old and extremely shot (they're orange Koni I think, or orange nonetheless) . It jars your teeth out going over cracks in the road. It has the original 1LE springs from the factory on them front and rear, and with 126K on the vehicle I wouldn't suspect that they'd be damaged, but certainly could be the case.

I've talked with Sam and he has me sold on the Koni Sports but I haven't pulled the trigger yet cause I need the time to do the work AND that set is $950 (ouch). Can afford it, but waiting till I get time to do it.

This is the slight lean to the right I'm seeing:

 

I'm pretty sure the factory DeCarbon shocks were orange, but I'm not sure if that was also the case with the 1LE package.

I believe I've heard Sam say that these cars sit a little higher on the driver's side to account for when the driver is in the car.

I believe the Konis go on sale and/or offer rebates at least once per year.

 

The factory DeCarbons are in fact orange. I am fairly certain that the 1LE package upgraded those to Bilstine, which are yellow and blue.

 

Not the greatest pics cause I'm not home at the moment, but these are what's on it from when I bought it in the spring of 1998.

 

And the RPO codes, although I don't think this will tell what shock package was installed.

 

Sam puts them on sale? I'll have to find out when that is, cause I've got other parts to add to it that he also sells.

 

According to the 4th Gen FAQ, the 93 and 94 1LE cars had deCarbon shocks, with stiffer valving than non-1LE Z28’s. Koni's became standard in 1996.

4_1

 

I’m pretty sure he just offers whatever specials Koni is running, but it does seem to happen at least annually. So, if you’re not in a huge hurry you might be able to save a few bucks.

Your pics look like DeCarbon shocks and I also found something supporting what Injuneer posted regarding the shocks used on the 1LE cars. I almost ordered a 1LE, but was talked out of it by my salesman friend due to lack of AC.

 

Is the sag most apparent in the rear view? Maybe the upper spring isolator is deteriorated (passenger side), or the spring coil is not indexed correctly into the isolator (driver side).

 

Yessir, it's only noticable from the rear. It appears that the passenger side front is the culprit, but that's only from visual inspection. When I replace the shocks, I'm also going to replace the rubber donuts (isolators?) that are on top of the springs in the rear...which I'll be lowering the rear end to do that.

What is the the front end equivalent of these rubber isolators? I couldn't find it on Shoebox. I'm trying to reduce the creaking I get at slow speeds as well.

Unrelated, I ordered and picking up Wednesday NAPA anti-rust coated solid rotors and ceramic pads for all 4 corners. Good weather permitting, I'll R&R all these and bleed the breaks (got a suction pump kit) and will be using this exact tool and procedure:
One thing at a time