need FX3 actuator

**CaptainVideo** · 08-14-05, 10:43 PM

I bought a used 1995 Vette, in really great shape, except for the "service ride control" light. I ran the codes and got 21, 31. These point to the left front shock/actuator. I removed the actuator and followed the shop manual diagnostic procedure. The shock's splined shaft turned freely and had about 120 degrees of it missing. The missing piece of splined shaft was up inside the actuator and had broken a corresponding amount of nylon mating receiver out of the actuator. The actuator does rotate when key is moved to the on posistion.
Can anybody point me to some place where I can get rebuild parts for the actuator, get it rebuilt reasonably, or buy a reasonably priced unit. I think Bilstein will rebuild the shock. Thanks for any help, this is a budget buster!

**Tuna** · 08-15-05, 07:59 AM

I see them in the MidAmerica catalog now ($350 each I think) and you can get them directly from Bilstein's service. Bilstein has the actuators in stock for $300 each - 1-800-537-1085. Ask for Bill Hindorf or Jack French (?) in the repair department. Check out this link :http://corvetteactioncenter.com/foru...t=Bilstein+FX3 and you might want to search the forums for "Bilstein" and "FX3" - there are lots of threads on these shocks already.

You can also try http://www.contemporarycorvette.com/ - they part out Corvettes and may have a used set of actuators.

**Chris Kennedy** · 08-15-05, 10:41 AM

I would recommend simply disconnecting the system and substituting a good set of shocks. That's what I did when I got my '89 Ebay rat, which has the system but suffered from weak shocks. Fortunately, it's easy to switch over to regular shocks. The prices to rebuild or replace things on the system are pretty ridiculous when you add everything up, and from what I have been told or read, the settings are either too soft or way too hard for the majority of people who use their cars in the real world. At some point in the future I may fiddle with it, but not now.

/s/ Chris Kennedy

**CaptainVideo** · 08-15-05, 11:30 AM

Thanks I will chk on it.

**Tuna** · 08-15-05, 01:29 PM

What Chris has to say is true. You can install regular shocks and ignore the Selective Ride system. This limits you to one shock setting all the time unless you mount externally adjustable shocks and that limits you to jacking up the car and crawling under it any time you want to change the way the car rides.

You can get Bilstein to rebuilt the FX3 shocks for $100 each - not cheap that's true. If the need actuators, they are $300 plus - again not cheap.
Bilstein used to make optional controller for the shocks that allowed you to change the way the shocks works from the stock speed programmable settings to modes that supported track work, autocross and drag racing. I have the autocross controller and the drag controller along with the stock controller. It takes 10 minutes to change out the controller to change the way the car handles and reacts.

Probably more trouble that the average guy/gal wants or cares about though.
If you fall into this catagory, you might consider using the money needed to replace one actuator with a full set of Z51 shocks for a 96 Z51 car and drive on.

Just my 2 cents.

**CaptainVideo** · 08-15-05, 02:38 PM

Thanks , Tuna and Chris...lots of options, however I kind of wanted a truly stock vette. I guess the C4 will not be a hot collectible any time soon, may I should go with Z51 shocks, must sleep on it!

**Chris Kennedy** · 08-16-05, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by CaptainVideo

Thanks , Tuna and Chris...lots of options, however I kind of wanted a truly stock vette. I guess the C4 will not be a hot collectible any time soon, may I should go with Z51 shocks, must sleep on it!

I understand the feeling---I like everything to work on the car that it came with (this is the only thing which doesn't, I am pleased to say), and at some point in the future I may get the shocks re-done and hook everything back up to try the system out. That's why I've kept everything. However, the prices for this stuff are so extreme, the reviews on it were so-so at the time (too soft vs. too hard, etc.--it's probably seems even less impressive now), it is totally unnecessary and if you simply replace the shocks with good units (such as those mentioned, above) you never have to worry about anything acting up and then spending more money on it (you also don't have to rip anything apart to take it out. It's easy to disconnect). It also means you can save your money for to repair things that break and ARE necessary to the functioning of the car, and can occassionally splurge for things such as performance accessories, first-class tires, etc.

Another alternative is to look on Ebay for a used actuator---I saw one there a few days ago. To find it, you have to go to EBay motors and search "1989 Corvette". That way, you get the most entries, I have found.

/s/ Chris Kennedy

**CaptainVideo** · 08-16-05, 11:23 AM

Chris,
I just found the solution. I have decided to keep it stock. I went to Allshocks...
@ 800-280-6966 ext 60 ask for Kevin, or ext 15 ask for Tom.
price was : adj Bilstein shock BA5-7027 $170
Delco/Bilstein actuator AK2103 $259
these are their part numbers and they are new..

thanks all !