Question: 84 Vette bouncing

[VetteChip]

I have a 1984 Corvette with 16,000 miles on it. I have been going over it this past summer and it bouces over dips in road. I have put new shocks on it and I bought another set of tires and wheels. The others were original since new. Any answers to look for would be helpfull.

 

[catbert]

What brand/model shocks did you put on the car? The 84s with either the Z51 or the standard suspension are known for a stiff ride, and practically no compliance over dips or bumps with OEM suspension pieces. I had to replace the shocks on my dedicated solo 1 and 2 84 (see the old beast on the avatar at the left under my name) with softer shocks to keep traction on anything but glass smooth tracks.

 

[vetteoz]

The 84s with either the Z51 or the standard suspension are known for a stiff ride, and practically no compliance over dips or bumps with OEM suspension pieces..

84 was the hardest riding, best handling C4 made.
The base suspension from 84 was the "performance handling" suspension option in later years

Not alot you can do short of installing the softer suspension from a later year

 

[VetteChip]

The steering seems to want to jump from side to side also.

 

[xfirez51]

If it's a Z51, the steering was very quick. BTW, if your using the original GY tires, they're very darty and ride ridges in the road.

 

[vetteoz]

if your using the original GY tires, they're very darty and ride ridges in the road.

If he still has the original tires then they are probably rock hard by now and not helping his ride problem
He may find a substantial improvement by fitting a more modern tire with more compliance

 

[catbert]

I can't see an 84 "bouncing," (floating up and down while the wheels stay on the pavement) which is what a softly sprung car does - think a Buick or Lincoln. If you mean it loses contact with the road over rough pavement and skips and darts on anything but a really smooth surface - that's what 84s do. Nothing you can do about that but replace both springs and shocks, and that is pricey.

 

[WhalePirot]

Nothing you can do about that but replace both springs and shocks, and that is pricey.

running mine with stock Z51 springs and rebuilt/revalved Bilsteings is a pretty decent ride, even with NO rubber in the suspension.

Bouncy? Ha Ha.. Umm,, no. then a definition of the word would help.

 

[VetteChip]

Bouncy

Seems to dart all over with dips in the road. Brand new tires, wheels, shocks and alignment.

 

[VetteChip]

Bouncy

The car sat lower on the left side. I fixed that by adjusting bolts in the back but it still darts. I will only put the original tires and wheels on for shows.

 

[WhalePirot]

Some tread designs track the grooves and other road characteristics than others. Wide tires do that. I would think that a good alignment shop should have the capability to minimize that.

Does the car behave that way with both sets of tires? I learned, years ago, that larger wheels/tires specify differing alignment specs. Different offsets will also have effects. Hopefully, this is not a case of the C-beam missing, as one horror story read. I would, however, ensure all those bolts are tight.

Your alignment shop should also (if you cannot) check for worn or loose components which should have been replaced before ANY adjustments. Things are moving during suspension travel that shouldn't be moving.

"Dartiness", redefined as responsive handling, is considered a plus in racing! (not on road dips).

 

[VetteChip]

Some tread designs track the grooves and other road characteristics than others. Wide tires do that. I would think that a good alignment shop should have the capability to minimize that.

Does the car behave that way with both sets of tires? I learned, years ago, that larger wheels/tires specify differing alignment specs. Different offsets will also have effects. Hopefully, this is not a case of the C-beam missing, as one horror story read. I would, however, ensure all those bolts are tight.

Your alignment shop should also (if you cannot) check for worn or loose components which should have been replaced before ANY adjustments. Things are moving during suspension travel that shouldn't be moving.

"Dartiness", redefined as responsive handling, is considered a plus in racing! (not on road dips).

It does act the same with both sets of tires and wheels. The ride is better with the new tires. C- Beam is there. Could bushing just be bad from sitting so many years? I would thing the problem is in the front somewhere.

 

[Hot Rod Roy]

Did your alignment shop set the front wheel caster to the factory spec of 3 degrees? Later model 'vette's specify 5 deg. and I found the 5 deg. caster setting to be a significant improvement in my '84! This won't help the "bouncing" (which I find difficult to believe) but it will improve the stability of the car. The '84's do have a firm ride, but they're not supposed to ride (or handle) like a Ford!

16,000 miles??? Incredible!!! I've got 15x that!!!