Anyone have suggestions as to how I can soften the ride on my 1987 automatic? I feel every bump and the steering wheel is shaking like crazy especially at 70mph. Thanks

Anyone have suggestions as to how I can soften the ride on my 1987 automatic? I feel every bump and the steering wheel is shaking like crazy especially at 70mph. Thanks

You could always put in a Cadillac Suspension lol
the beating and banging sucks but that stiff suspension is your handleing a soft suspension wil lean and you will loose alot of it but if you want a soft ride you can get one.

Sounds like you might need some front wheel bearings too.

Anyone have suggestions as to how I can soften the ride on my 1987 automatic? I feel every bump
Is yours a Z51?

the steering wheel is shaking like crazy especially at 70mph.
Not related to suspension stiffness.
Tires out of balance or out of round , worn tie rods ,etc .....

Z51 suspension is a very stiff riding suspension IMO.

Z51 suspension is a very stiff riding suspension IMO.

YEP, that Z51 package will knock your fillings out of your teeth. I like the trade off though. Very few cars, aside from other Vettes, can stick the corners like I do!
:cheers:

YEP, that Z51 package will knock your fillings out

Just noticed OP's car is a auto so it won't be a Z51
Z51 only available with stick ; '87 -'89

Anyone have suggestions as to how I can soften the ride on my 1987 automatic? I feel every bump and the steering wheel is shaking like crazy especially at 70mph. Thanks


If your steering wheel is shaking, you need your front tires rebalanced. I doubt there's anything you can do to soften the ride.

:iagree: i figured you'd need a new suspension

Is yours a Z51?


Not related to suspension stiffness.
Tires out of balance or out of round , worn tie rods ,etc .....

:iagree:

yeah i its probably your suspension,.. thats my best guess.

Just noticed OP's car is a auto so it won't be a Z51
Z51 only available with stick ; '87 -'89

My '89 is automatic with the Z51 package, including the 3.07 rear gear! The ride is stiffer than my brothers '87, but the steering doesn't jerk anymore than his over bumps.

My '89 is automatic with the Z51 package, including the 3.07 rear gear!

What does your RPO label say Z51 or Z52?
3.07 rear (RPO G92 ) was an option on all auto cars; not part of the "Z "sports / performance handling package

What does your RPO label say Z51 or Z52?
3.07 rear (RPO G92 ) was an option on all auto cars; not part of the "Z "sports / performance handling package
The RPO says Z51... it's listed on the bottom line(4th), and on the far left. As for the G92... I couldn't find it, but there is a GT7. In the RPO code page of this forum, it says "axle ratio 3.33" Is that right????? Also .... after that, it has a G87. RPO code page says it's a 8.50 ring gear. What does that mean? Sorry.. I didn't mean to change the subject of this post. I'm still learning about my ride.

The Z51 thing for sticks only may be correct!!!! My RPO code list has "MN6" meaning.... 6speed FZ manual. The 4speed auto in my ride is NOT the original tranny.:doh: My ride came with a 6speed!
Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:wtf:

My '88 has the Z52 and still gives a teeth-rattling stiff ride and likes to jump around on bumpy streets (not much is smooth in Mass). All front end suspension component are new and tight when I got it a few months ago, so just the nature of the beast?

The Z51 thing for sticks only may be correct
I know it is ; otherwise yours would be one very rare car.

GT7. "axle ratio 3.33" Is that right????? Also .... after that, it has a G87. . What does that mean?

What made you think you had 3.07's?
ZF6 trans only came with 3.33, 3.45 or 3.54 ratios.
G87 is the stronger Dana 44 diff everyone wants that only came with manual cars ( except '84 ).

However as yours has been changed to auto they may have also changed the diff ratio in the D44 to suit the auto
or changed the complete diff to the weaker auto ( std ) Dana 36 .
If they had all the interior parts to do a stock like conversion they may have had a parts car they swapped parts over from?

The Z51 thing for sticks only may be correct!!!! My RPO code list has "MN6" meaning.... 6speed FZ manual. The 4speed auto in my ride is NOT the original tranny.:doh: My ride came with a 6speed!
Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:wtf:That sucks. Or maybe the item with the codes sticker on it was changed. Why would anyone with a six speed convert to an automatic. When I decided to sell my polaris RZR to buy a vette, there was a local man selling his 95 six speed. I actually looked at it and came real close to buying it but it had more miles than I wanted and then later that week I found mine and bought it instead. The funny thing was the man selling it lost his right arm in a motorcycle accident a couple of years ago. Ive seen him drive that car. He originally bought it cause it was a six speed after he got insurance money from his accident. How he does it is a mystery to me but I admire it.

That sucks. Or maybe the item with the codes sticker on it was changed. Why would anyone with a six speed convert to an automatic.
I thought that might be the case, but the VIN on the code sticker matches the VIN on the dash. I tried to find where the clutch peddle would have been mounted, and it doesn't appear to have ever had one. If anyone has a means to get the car's history for me, here's the VIN 1G1YY2188K5118324 . I used to think the torque converter wasn't locking up, making me think it had a 3.07 at 70MPH and 23-2400RPM's. With the 3.33, the RPM to speed calc would be correct. Went out today, and 76MPH was at 2500RPM's. Oh well,... it does great 20mph rolling burnouts!:rockon6rk: :woowoo: :thumbsup3: :hehehe:

the VIN on the code sticker matches the VIN on the dash.
None of the VIN # would be changed if all they did was swap the driveline over from another car.

I tried to find where the clutch peddle would have been mounted, and it doesn't appear to have ever had one.
If they bolted in the pedal assembly from a auto car , the only hole would be the one in the firewall where the clutch cyl rod went through

I posted the VIN in hopes of getting a history report. Something like a "carfax". I googled a search, but they want $20.oo or more. It showed that "members" could get a an unlimited number of vehicle "histories", and hoped that a "smokinvette" regular may be one of those "members". I guess I should start a new post.:duel:

I hate having to pay for a carfax!