Repairing of Ride control option

[kevin-design]

One more question:
Next on my 'to fix' checklist for my '92 Vette is the ride control. It has that dial on the console for 'Touring - Sport - Performance'. Though the car handles great and the suspension is really tight, I would like to make this feature operational again. The shocks on this car were recently replaced with KYB shocks (parts KG5571 and KG5570's in front) made for my year corvette. Hopefully these are the correct, compatible shocks for the ride control system. The seller told me that that system wasn't working, but I don't have any more information than that. What do I need to check, and how can I determine what setting it is currently at? Is there some type of feedback that I can get other than driving the car over bumps to see if its working? How does this system work, anyway? just air-adjustable shocks? Is there a little compressor on my car somewhere? Thanks for any info!
-Kevin

 

[Rabbit]

Check the top of your front shocks & see if there are actuators on the top with a wire running to them. I'm not positive, but I believe Bilstein shocks are used for the SRC system. Sounds like the previous owner had problems & just replaced the shocks after disabling the system. The replacement parts are expensive & some owners opt for stock shocks. Do you have a warning light on the drivers info center
that shows service ride control. The module for the src is located in the storage compartment behind the drivers seat. Check to see if there is a connector that has been disconnected. If not, then possibly the bulb has been removed from the dic.

The SRC uses electrical actuators on the shocks to control different damping positions on the shocks which is controlled by the switch on the console floor.

 

[c4cruiser]

Do you have the original Bilstien adjustable shocks from the prior owner? The KYB's are a decent base suspension shock replacement but they do not match the ride or performance capability of the FX3 system.

Each of the OEM shocks have an actuator attached to the top of the shock that moves the shock strut to a specific position when you turn the ride control switch on the console. The FX3 system also will adjust the shock stiffness based on vehicle speed. Basically, the faster you go, the stiffer the shock gets at each of the switch settings.

The shock actuator is a small black cylinder about 2 inches high by 1 1/2 inches in diameter. A control wire is attached to the top. You should be able to see them close to the upper shock mount if they are still on the car (they can be removed from the attaching wiring harness) The upper attaching point for the rear shock sits in a housing that must be unbolted from the frame housing to see if the actuator is inside. Inside the actuator is a rig gear that turns another gear attached to the shock shaft. Behind the driver's seat is the microprocessor that controls the FX3 system.

If you have the Bilstien FX3 shocks, inspect them for any oil leakage (drops of oil or really soaked on the outside) and for the condition of the gear on top of the shaft. A very light film of oil that is covered with dried road dirt is OK. These shocks can be rebuilt by Bilstien for somewhere in the vicinity of $55-$100 depending on the condition of the shaft. If you do have the shocks, you can call Bilstien at 1-800-537-1085 and ask for the tech dept. If you also have the actuators, check the bottom and look inside at the gear to make sure it is in good shape. If you don't have these parts, expect to pay about $200 per shock (see the Mid-America catalog) and about $150 for each actuator. The processor itself usually doesn't fail, but if it does go, expect to pay a few hundred for the processor. There is a removable chip in the processor that can run around $125.

A good service technician can find the trouble codes related to the FX3 system, but you will have to have all the parts installed on the car and the wiring connected to determine what problems exist. If you do not see the lighted "Service Ride Control" message on the DIC, you can probably expect that the bulb has been removed.

You can probably see by now that this can be an expensive system to get working but is a very good suspension system and IMHO worth looking into. I have the FX3 system on my 92 roadster and I really like it. The Fx3 system was a $1695 option package.

 

[kevin-design]

wow

:eek !
Yeah, I took the opportunity to check out the shocks in front today. They don't have the attachments you described, so I guess that the previous owner replaced the bilstein shocks with standard ones. That said, it does ride very well, tight suspension, and very good handling. I am going to have a hard time justifying this repair if its as involved as you described. If the shocks went bad, then I would be more apt to look into it, but since they are working well, I will probably wait. I think I will try to track down those originals though- didn't know they were rebuildable, and I understand a friend of the previous owner did the repair. Also, I don't see myself switching between modes very often- probably just set it to 'Sport' and leave it there, but if they are adjusting constantly based on speed (and other factors?) then it might be worth it, sounds like a nice feature. I will have to investigate what it would take to reinstall. Also, there is no trouble light for whatever reason. Do you really find yourself switching modes often, or do you like it because its dynamically adjusting to road conditions?
Thanks!
kevin

 

[c4cruiser]

If you can find the shocks and actuators, it may be worth just boxing them up for a later project or if you might sell the car at some point in the future, the next owner may want the stuff. Of course without the Bilstien shocks and actuators installed and operating, the selector switch has no function at all.

I do switch shock settings depending on road conditions or the type of road I'm on. Freeway cruising and around town is usually on the "Tour" setting, country backroads and twisties are where I use the "Sport" setting. For autocross and open track events, I change to "Perf" setting. I do feel a noticable difference between the settings.