C4 Shock Replacement
#1
C4 Shock Replacement
My 92 has 85k miles with the FX3 system original shocks. Since I'm not a high performance driver,I don't use theselective ride adjustment. So I'm thinking I'd like to replace the shocks with a non FX3 (less costly) type but don't want a harsh ride.My question is which brand & model will actually fit and not beat me up with a harsh ride?
#8
RE: C4 Shock Replacement
Believe or not I was able to change the front shocks with car setting on the ground and the wheels still on. The front are very very simple. Two bolts on the bottome and one on top. KYB will supply all the new bushings for the top mounts. As for the back shocks, jack the car up and put on stands. Take a floor jack and jack up the suspension on the side you are working on a couple of inches. The bottom mount bolt is very tight. You might want to put penetrating oil on it the day before you work. It might take a breaker bar to start it off. The top mount are two bolts. They are much easier. Unbolt them and the mount will come out with the shock. Take the unit and unbolt the upper mount and use it in the new shock with the supplied busing and rebuild it. Reinstall and tight the upper bolts all the way. Jack the suspension to close to normal ride height and tighten the bottom bolt, this will have it set up correctly. My car rode pretty stiff for couple hundred miles until the shocks broke in a bit, and now it rides firm but smooth and is very responsive. They were miles better than the wore out 16 year old Bilsteins. Have fun, it is a simple and rewarding project for your car!!!
#9
RE: C4 Shock Replacement
As an after thought it is also a great time to clean up the beautiful artwork of aluminum suspension while you are doing this. I know these cars guts date back to the early 80's but man that suspension is incredible when it is clean, no other car looks like it. BTW, you will have to remove the rear wheels and it might go smoother if you remove the fronts and carefully jack up the suspension a bit when reinstalling the front shocks. Be careful, the suspension is heavily loaded when compressed. Take your time and enjoy.