1982 suspension

[jimbil208]

Hello Can anyone tell me what to do to the suspension or whatever to make my 1982 sound more solid when hitting bumps etc.
I saw they have a new complete suspension kit,but I don't want to spend alot of cash. Is it possible to anything and note spend alot of money?
Thanks, Jim

 

[Hib Halverson]

The 82 CEs all had the HD suspension. Any upgrade beyond that will have to be aftermarket. Unless you are a racer, you might not like the compromise in ride which comes with such an upgrade.

Saying you'd like your 82 to sound "more solid" is a little non-specific so it's tough to understand whether you have a problem or you want a stiffer suspension, but my Wife owns an 82 CE so I have a fair amount of experience with those cars. I'll offer that the car is nearly 30 years old and maybe just a rebuild of the stock suspension....new bushings, new ball joints, new shocks, new stabilizer bar links and front and rear alignments might help. Also, maybe the car needs the body mounts replaced. Lastly, maybe you need new tires.

As for parts, Zip Products is a good source for bushings, body mounts and so forth.

 

[jimbil208]

Hello Hib

That is exactly what I am talking about.

If you could be a little more specific about what I need it would be good.

Are the replacement parts mostly rubber or rubber mounted,

Looking to here from you.

Thanks very much, Jimbil

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

jimbil,

I think YOU will have to be more specific with what you find after inspecting the car. What's broken? What's worn out?

 

[jimbil208]

Thanks Mikey,will do.
jimbil

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hello Hib

That is exactly what I am talking about.

If you could be a little more specific about what I need it would be good.

Are the replacement parts mostly rubber or rubber mounted,

Looking to here from you.

Thanks very much, Jimbil

Well...as "Vettehead Mikey" says, this thread would be more productive if we knew more about the car's condition but in general, if you were to do a comprehensive program to adress ride/handling issues you would:

Inspect the front and rear suspensions.
Inspect the body mounts

You might replace:
Body mounts
front upper, front lower control arm bushings
upper and lower front ball joints
inner and outer tire rod ends
rear trailing arm and strut rod bushings
shocks
stabilizer bar links front and rear
power steering control valve
steering center link
bushing at front of rear axle.

check the welds between the front cross member and frame for cracks.

That's just getting started.

You also need a factory service manual and an assembly manual.

You can buy parts and manuals from Zip Products which is where I get a lot of my C3 parts.

 

[jimbil208]

thank you very much ,hib
that is what I am looking for a place to start.
I have both books that you mentions, and I wil be looking
at these items as soon as it warms up.
Jim

 

[terry82]

have you looked into new shocks ?

 

[6880 Mike]

have you looked into new shocks ?

Bingo. I would put a set of new shocks on it before I did anything else.

 

[jimbil208]

Thanks guys,I will start with shocks. I was looking at shocks,and it seams like there is
a large variety,do u know what is a good one without going to the most expensive?
Thanks,jimbil208

 

[terry82]

http://http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette.html?store=4&keywords=shocks

 

[jimbil208]

thx terry