i was out driving my 86 z28 and i notice that when i go over bumps or just a rough road, i get unusually high vibrations. the car completely shakes and i get this wierd sound that sounds like its coming from under the car, and sometimes the passenger side seat. i was thinking maybe the suspension was getting old and maybe looking into getting some new shocks. also i though it may be the axles.

the car drives fine on the street, but when heading over any sort of bumps the whole car shakes. is that normal? or is it that the suspension is to stiff?

 

That's very normal for these cars riding on some beat up suspension (aside from the wierd sound). I'm sure if you have stock suspension it is 100% FUBAR'ed by now. It probably needs shocks and springs.

Theres alot of options depending on what you want. If you seek only replacement you can get moog replacement springs and some monroe sensatracs for 250 to 300 bucks total at a parts store. You'll notice a massive improvement in ride right there.

If you want more performance you can replace those Monroe's with some KYB's of varying quality for another 50 to 150 bucks, and some Eibach lowering springs for about another 120 over the Moog replacements.

It gets alot deeper but those are two very commonly used options depending on what the owner (YOU) wants for the car. You can easily spend alot more if you're looking for more. The Koni yellows are reportedly great for handling with the sacrifice of some street comfort over the bumpys, and the Bilsteins are supposed to be awesome all around.

 

i just took the car out, yeah the ride is rough as hell. and i figure some new shocks and springs will make the ride alot better, but also i get alot of noise from the car, usually under the passenger front seat. kinda like creaking, maybe the suspension? old springs?

my car has that lowered look to it, is that stock? or could it be that the springs were possibly cut?

 

That sound could be anything reverberating from anywhere towards the front passenger side of the car. but because of the lack of mechanical things under your passenger seat, if it's undoubtedly coming from there I would bet it's simply an exhaust hanger. I more suspect it's probably bushings or something coming from your passenger A-arm area though.

As for the lowered look. It could be either. I have all stock springs in the picture for my sig, but it sits at a pretty lowered stance compared to alot of Camaro's I've seen. I've seen some people with original springs sitting lower than me. The original springs are known to sag pretty bad after 20+ years on the road. On the other hand, alot of people have been known to just hack the stock springs on these also. Either way you're due for a new setup if you plan to keep the car.

 

yeah i mean i got the car for 1740 and the exterior is awesome but the interior is ****. it basically has nothing. and it still has something wrong with a thermal sensor or something and now i must add suspension to the list of things to fix. no big deal though. i was thinking kyb shocks on stock springs? or will that not be enough?

 

Some KYB's on a set of Moog springs will do plenty enough. These car's handle pretty decently as-is, and the replacement springs of today do a better job than the original springs of yesteryear. KYB's are a good shock for the money, and are definitely better than the Monroe's I put on my car awhile back (which still made a huge difference).

I just bought a set of the IROC style Moog replacements from Summit Racing for $125 US including shipping and all. The spring part numbers are 5662 for the pair of fronts and 5665 for the pair of rears. You can find KYB shocks just about anywhere online, I'd compare some prices before I bought anything, so I won't suggest anywhere since I haven't looked around.