Our 97 has 110k miles on it now and when we took it over at 100k I felt that the coach was under dampened in big radius rolling bumps.
First step was to turn the front shocks from the first setting out of five to the third setting. Big difference.
I noticed that our coach's floor is damaged over all the wheels where the metal has worn through and the blue foam is visible in the rear. Hmmmmm.
So yesterday I took the coach back to the same shop and had all eight adjusted to the fourth setting stiffer.
Mechanic said he could easily compress the four rear shocks after removal. After re adjusting them the could barely compress them to remount them.
In driving the coach afterwards I can for the first time feel a downward dampening over bumps where it only had compression dampening and not enough of that before.
Dampened both ways. You can feel the more controlled ride and less body roll on cornering.
No leaks. All adjusted the same according to the mechanic. Amazing quality to be adjustable.
One more click left for the far future. 25-50k miles per adjustment is what the koni man told me long ago.
Not sure on how to repair the floor over the tires but the shop guy was surprised the internal bumpers on the air bags would allow the tires to touch the floor over the tires.
I remember reading here that the 99's had changes in the coach mounting to the chassis to prevent this contact. Any way to mod my 97 to stop any contact if the suspension bottoms out?
Something about steel washers added to the sub frame? Is there stops in the travel of the subframes separate from the air bags internal bumpers?
Thanks for any info.
Bob
There was someone on here that made some nylon spacers to prevent wheel contact but I cant find the posting right now.
Mark
I have been thinking of adding spacers and would clean up the frame at the place I want to put them and then glue a piece of hard nylon block to frame. I do have ring spacers but need another1/2" deeper. My underfloor had been scuffed before I bought it and just glued a large piece of sheet steel (22g) to floor then sprayed the whole area with underbody spray. Still good 4 yrs later almost.
John H
I think this is the link.
Tire clearance issue (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=17418.msg116355#msg116355)
Mark
I had a ride height valve fail while driving and the rear air bags on one side went flat. Outside tire rubbed a hole in the sheet plastic above the wheel, no real damage to speak of. I shot some foam in the hole to seal it and keep water out. Just remember to give the coach time to build air pressure and reach travel height after start. IMO not much to worry about.
Thanks
Bob, I added 8 1/2 inch pieces of solid round stock to the original suspension stops. No more tires up against the floor of the coach with the air dumped. I don't however recall my coach bottoming out on the frame stops. One disadvantage is 1/2" less downward travel when trying to level.
Yea the reduced height for leveling is on my mind. I use all of mine once in a while.
Bob
I do too quite a bit so far (been about 6 mos) I havent run into any problems. The other reason I did it, if for some reason the air bags would not hold air I can move the coach a short distance without any damage to the underside.
What kind of stock did you use? Did you weld them in place or use some sort of adhesive?
Thanks, Don
Don just round cold roll, mine are 2" dia. 1 1/2"- 1 1/4" would be fine (better). I have not welded them yet got to get over the pit then I'll tack them with the MIG. They are held in place for about the last 6 mos with 3M 5200, roughed the surfaces with a rasp applied 5200 and let it set up. I believe that stuff will stick about anything as long as the surface is clean and roughed up a bit.