92 Convert fx3 shocks help needed

[Txbobcat]

I have a 92 Corvette convertible my Fx3 rear shocks were bad so I found a very good used set off of a 96 Vette dont know if it was a convert or not. The shocks seem to be exact match Except the old shocks have a snap ring about 2 inches above the bottom of the shock. These shocks have what I thought was an aftermarket coil over spring which sets on that snap ring. The 96 shocks do not have that snap ring so I could not use the coil overs and didnt think I needed them anyway but I was wrong. After installation the car dropped low where the tire was rubbing on the fender wells about 3 inches below where it previously set with the coil overs on. The new shocks have no indentation for that snap ring so I cant install the coils overs onto this shock. I believe if I had a ring mig welded to this shock that it might damage the shock making it as useless as the other.
Question 1 Are these coils over springs factory?
Ques 2 Can I buy new springs for them
Ques 3 Can i mig weld a ring onto these shocks
Que s4 Is there a rear spring on the car
Any help or advise would be appreciated.

 

[Rex S]

The coil overs are a conversion. OEM is a flat composite spring running across the car. Rear suspension uses the same style composite spring. Don't weld on shocks espically high pressure gas ones! Put it back stock or find out what suspension was used.

 

[Txbobcat]

Thanks for your response Rex. This car came with the FX3 shocks as standard equipment . I guess my sprimg might be worn out but you cant buy new ones correct? And buying a used 19 year old spring probably wouldnt be worth the effort or the dollars. Weld might have been the wrong terminololgy I meant mig weld or braze. Would that be Ok?

 

[Hib Halverson]

You couldn't have found a used set of FX3 shocks on any 96 because FX3 shocks were not available in 1996. Production of the FX3 option ended in 1995.

No C4 came from the factory with coil-over-shock assemblies.

DO NOT attempt to weld anything to the shock body. The shock could explode causing injury or death.

C4s use composite leaf springs front and rear.

I would not advise installing any spring (leaf or coil) with higher than stock wheel rates on any C4 convertible which lacks a roll cage.

 

[aklim]

If you have an FX3 shock that is bad, why not rebuild it? I thought of it but wanted a lifetime warranty so I bought a new set. You can rebuild it with a 100 day warranty. IIRC, it is about $100

 

[Txbobcat]

Ok it may have been 94 shocks that I bought but they are very stiff. My old shock is blown almost no effort required to collapse it plus the center rod is bent. In reading thru the factory manual it says to reinstall new springs to be sure the rear end assembly is the correct height before putting the top of the shock in place. I didnt do that but cant see why it would make a difference. I dont know if it was lower or higher when i installed them. Never thought I would need a book to install 2 shocks.
Another question. Is there any way that I can shim up the rear spring to bring me to a more correct height? Repacing the spring I stil cant see but the manual also says you need a special tool for that mission and that tool is on ebay right now for $388. or so.
And thanks for clarifying the No Welding. I had plans to take it to my welder and let him make the decision if it was right or not.

 

[aklim]

In reading thru the factory manual it says to reinstall new springs to be sure the rear end assembly is the correct height before putting the top of the shock in place. I didnt do that but cant see why it would make a difference.

Is there any way that I can shim up the rear spring to bring me to a more correct height? Repacing the spring I stil cant see but the manual also says you need a special tool for that mission and that tool is on ebay right now for $388. or so.

And thanks for clarifying the No Welding. I had plans to take it to my welder and let him make the decision if it was right or not.

There is a reason for that. You see, once installed in the bottom, when you look at the top, the mount is hardly flush with the body. So, as you screw it in with the 2 bolts, you are extending the shock PAST the point it should be. Once, ok. Twice, maybe. Keep doing it and it isn't a good thing.

From my D44 swap, I kept the spacers at the same level because it could change the spring rate. Why do you think it is at the wrong height? Have you done a ride height measurement? the tool might help but we did it without it. Problem is that is a fiberglass spring and if you are not careful, you might nick it.

Welders weld. They might not know the shock and how it is constructed.

 

[Txbobcat]

I cant measure the heighth right now as I have one side jacked up but driving a little faster on a good road with a mild hump the car will drag. I drag a some going into my driveway if I come in at the wrong angle and lets not even talk about speed bumps. Just put nos exhaust on it last month so its not the exhaust sitting too low.

 

[vetteoz]

the manual also says you need a special tool for that mission and that tool is on ebay right now for $388. or so.

No tools needed.
Jack knuckle under bottom shock mount to take weight off spring , undo spring bolt , lower knuckle, repeat otherside.
Undo the 4 bolts holding spring saddle , spring out.Reverse to install

 

[vetteoz]

After installation the car dropped low where the tire was rubbing on the fender wells about 3 inches below where it previously set with the coil overs on.

To clarify.
Your original setup was with the coilovers?
And you replaced with non coilover shocks?
Is the original transverse spring still in the car?
If coilovers were fitted then the original spring would have been removed which could account for the 3" drop as you would now have no rear spring at all.Shocks have very little bearing on ride height ; only dampening

 

[Txbobcat]

I thought about the spring not being there and will check that later today. That coudd answer all my questions. Maybe former owner removed to lower the car?

 

[vetteoz]

Maybe former owner removed to lower the car?

The main purpose guys install coilovers is for the adjustabilty for track use .When they do install ,they remove the stock spring because the coilovers take it's place and support the car .There would be little point in running two spring setups

 

[Txbobcat]

I understand no need for double springs but I would rather have it original than botched as it is now. Thaks everyone for their help and suggestions.

 

[Txbobcat]

Vetteoz is correct no spring in place. So now I need a spring with brackets bolts etc. Anyone have one? And what years will fit. Does it have to be a convertible?While i was looking didnt see one on the front either same shock with coilovers on there as well.

 

[aklim]

Vette Brakes & Products, Inc. - Product Catalog

I suggest you speed it up because you want to take advantage of the prices. I got 20% off my FX3 Bilstien shocks

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WE ARE OFFERING 20% OFF OUR RETAIL PRICES THRU THE END OF JANUARY..​

 

[Txbobcat]

I have good shocks what I need is a spring and hardware. But 20% off is a good deal.

 

[aklim]

I have good shocks what I need is a spring and hardware. But 20% off is a good deal.

Vette Brakes & Products, Inc. - Product Catalog

They DO have springs

 

[Txbobcat]

With 5 antique cars running around here keeping me busy and poor I better try for a used one but thanks anyway.

 

[aklim]

With 5 antique cars running around here keeping me busy and poor I better try for a used one but thanks anyway.

You feel lucky?

1984-96 c4 corvette rear spring : eBay Motors (item 400070811164 end time Jan-29-10 07:44:52 PST)

1988-1996 Corvette Front Spring, Soft Ride : eBay Motors (item 370300140748 end time Jan-30-10 15:40:15 PST)

 

[vetteoz]

With 5 antique cars running around here keeping me busy and poor I better try for a used one but thanks anyway.

As you need all the spring mounting hardware , I would be trying Corvette wreckers first.
Someone like Vette 2 Vette