I just found out that the factory "Stuffers" were never removed from my shocks before delivery of my 03 AE resulting in a terrible ride (as you can imagine). I'm trying to assess the damage that may have been caused to my suspension, computer, shocks etc. Even the car is now 2 years old it has only 3000 miles on it. I'm trying to gain as much knowledge as possible before I discuss the issue with Chevrolet. Thanks for the assist.
I just found out that the factory "Stuffers" were never removed from my shocks before delivery of my 03 AE resulting in a terrible ride (as you can imagine). I'm trying to assess the damage that may have been caused to my suspension, computer, shocks etc. Even the car is now 2 years old it has only 3000 miles on it. I'm trying to gain as much knowledge as possible before I discuss the issue with Chevrolet. Thanks for the assist.
a friend had the same problem with a 03 anniversity corvette and just forund the problem last week 3-4000 miles later. i told him what was wrong but the dealer insisted that they had removed them. you need to slide up the shock rubber boots to see the tabs so anyone else out there with MR better check. if the shocks do not leak at the seal because of no oil getting to them to keep the lubed and since the shaft never moved i would think there should be no problems. just look at it this way you got 3000 miles of non wear on your shocks BUT not your back side. since these shocks are VERY expensive i would try for a extended warranty on them
'13 427 60th vert - '25 Eray Hysteria Purple - CTS V Wagon(4-door Vette)
Sorry to hear of your problem with the shock stuffers. This turns out to be a common problem with 50th AE cars all over the US. The dealers just assumed they knew all they needed to know about prepping C5's already and didn't bother to read the notices that were placed all over the car about removing the shock stuffers. This issue was and is discussed on the www.50thregistry.com forum all the time. Even now, we hear of 50th AE's will shock stuffers still installed.
The AE is a wonderful riding and performing car - without the shock stuffers. I hope do not have any more problems once they are removed.
I would not expect any significant damage but you ought to have them checked for leaks and ask for the extended warranty on them anyway. Couldn't hurt.
Thanks, I really appreciate your taking the time to provide some advise and guidance. I will monitor the shocks closely for leaks and I do like the idea of an extended warranty on suspension parts. I contacted Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center and they appeared to be very helpful and would follow up with me in one week to see if I had made an appointment or had the work done. They did not suggest or recommend going back to the delivery dealer but instead recommeded another dealer which they contacted while I waited on the other line. I am anxious to see what the car is really supposed to drive like!!
Made an appointment with the recommended Chevy dealer and had the "stuffers" removed today. WOW!!!! what a difference, it was like driving a whole different car, one with shocks and a suspension that worked. Lucky for me that I just happened to go to the chevy show last weekend and ended up talking to some Vette friends about it or I would have never found out and would have always been very disappointed in the performance of my 03AE. I probably would have sold it without being able to enjoy the car for what it is.
It sounds like a good ending to a bad situation.
I have found out many interesting and/or valuable tidbits about my vette from these forums. Welcome aboard, stick around. You'll probably pick up some more good info.
A couple of years ago, I was talking to the local newspaper's auto writer at a car show. He was there with an AE and said he really wasn't very impressed with the ride. We peeked under the rear and I showed him where the stuffers were... he was of course writing an article about the AE at the time, and said at least 12 other journalists from the area had shared that car for that purpose.
A couple of years ago, I was talking to the local newspaper's auto writer at a car show. He was there with an AE and said he really wasn't very impressed with the ride. We peeked under the rear and I showed him where the stuffers were... he was of course writing an article about the AE at the time, and said at least 12 other journalists from the area had shared that car for that purpose.
I wonder if we could get a Mr. Goodwrench person to tell the story of the highest mileage Covette with MR suspension they have seen with the 'shock stuffers' still in place?!
Do GM/Chevy dealers check each Vette with MR when it is in for service for the first time to see if the 'shock stuffers' were properly removed during new car dealer prep? What would they tell the owner, that he had been driving a car with steel rods for shocks this whole time due to the delivering dealer screw-up?
Yes there is a TSB issued 07/18/02 with an IMPORTANT is red letters "the stuffers must be removed during new vehicle preparation. Failure to do so will result in customer dissatisfaction with the vehicle"s ride quality" It doesn't say anything about possible damage which is now my primary concern.
The factory sent a single piece of paper in each car outlining, with photos, the stuffer removal process. I SAW it in my wife's car as the dealer was prepping it. They did NOT remove the stuffers before we got the car. A trip to the NCM, and the crummy ride, made me slide under the car as soon as we got home. Saw the tabs, called the dealer at closing time, got them removed 7:00am the next day. Prep personnel (esp. the one I had) pay little attention, I think........
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since these shocks are VERY expensive i would try for a extended warranty on them
