I've started down this rabbit hole looking at a 3rd project before completing the first. I still had a few more days putting up OSB and installing windows on my new RV garage (stucco crew comes on Monday), when I got involved with the rr tire that was flat. As reported earlier, I will have to replace brake pads, which I have on order. While the wheels were off, I realized that I would never have better access to the shock in front of the rear wheel.
I bought a 20v Earthquake impact gun for this purpose and was surprised at how easy it was to remove the bottom nut from the shock. Anyone have any tips about the top one? I may have to remove the bag to get my new toy in there.
I've read about the FSD Koni shocks in previous posts, but when I checked the application for my U320, the listed shock was a series 88. Any opinions on these or is there no FSD for my coach?
https://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/foretravel-koni-rv-shocks.cfm
Best price I have seen, bought mine 3 years ago at 160 each shipped. but have to account for inflation.
Koni shocks are back ordered, no one has them in stock. If you want them by the middle of next month you would need to order them now. Ordered mine five weeks ago, they were shipped yesterday.
It's a first come first served situation with unknown wait time.
Good luck!
The FSD seems to be on back order at a number of suppliers. Two are available at one which I will order today. I'm thinking about replacing only the ones in front of the rear tires, since they will be accessible while doing the brakes. The others can be done next month, as they become available. Are there any concerns about this plan?
This is one thread that may have an opinion that everyone agrees on. My vote is for the FSD's they made a great improvement on the ride of our coach.
I'm running the red and like them well enough though working up enthusiasm for crawling under the coach, unbolting the lower end of shock, and fine tuning is being kind of hard to do. It is a nice option in theory though. Can also compensate for wear on the shock which is nice compared to throwaways.
Most folks rave about the FSD shocks, no adjustment capabilities. Frequency sensitive dampening so they say.
I did the fsd and I love them.. awesome upgrade.
Don't know about the 88 series
My original adjustable shocks lasted 200k miles before I replaced.. don't think you can go wrong with either but I love my koni shocks
I adjusted the factory 88's a couple of times trying to get the hoops on Cal. highways to smooth out. Seems rebound is all I was adjusting. no compression. The FSD's did slow the compression.
That is interesting. My experience with reds is exactly opposite, almost zero compression dampening, rebound from slight to massive per adjustment. Which is right....or are both sets of shocks defective? In thinking about it I decided the airbags could take care of compression, shocks for rebound....
Chuck, I mixed up on my post mine were hard to pull down and easy to push up. I will correct my post
Same here with my old ones.. wore out.. several bounces after a big bump.. should hit the bump and 1bounce and level.. works great now
88 denotes the size/diameter. They can be either adjustable or FSD's.
BTW, they also make 90 and 99 series. But with 2 shocks/wheel the 88 series are just fine.
Sven,
I see no issue with replacing the front of the rears now and behind the rears at a later time.
Sven, I just replaced my shocks, well actually my RV guy did it while I watched and helped a little. If you take off the fenders the top bolts are easily reached with a long extension. It took a few hours I pulled the fenders and he did the shocks then I replaced the fenders.
I had to take off the right fender to replace my radiator some time back and I'd prefer not to do that again. On a 2000, the screws are visible and they become more so when the paint is taken off during the process. It looks doable with the wheels off.
Brett, how are you doing with the flooding over there? I recall that you got through the Harvey floods without damage.
No problems here, other than the grass is growing so fast I am thinking of just getting a GOAT.
We are close enough to Galveston bay which has access to the Gulf of Mexico that unless the Gulf backs up, we are fine.
Use a 1/2 impact gun and it makes the top bolt much easier. I did the fronts with the wheels on and the left rear with the wheels on. On the right rear I removed the wheels and it made it easier and faster than the left rear.
I broke mine loose and used the cordless ratchet from harbor freight .. back ones had to use a palm impact.
I got the DW (Dark Wizard?) to go along with getting the Earthquake XT. Hard to believe it works as well as it does. It pulled the lower shock nut off without much of a grunt. My air impact would have chugged along all day.
Think I am going to change out the fronts first. We had a bit of porpoising down the road that I found uncomfortable at times. Will change out the rears later on. They are still on backorder till October. I am in no hurry though.
Bob,
If your current shocks are the red-brown adjustable Konis, you can sure try adjusting them. The adjustment affects dampening on REBOUND ONLY. So it does not stiffen the ride, but reduces porpoising.
Adjustment takes no tools and is described on Koni-NA's website.
Don't remember which ones Bob had.
As I recall, OE was the adjustable Konis. The PN will be stamped on them. Red-brown color suggests adjustable.
porpoising can be a loading or weight distribution issue.
They are the original red ones. Don't think weight was a issue, fuel and water was low, bays were not full . But going down some roads it was noticable. Figure change it now is better than later.
Adjusted the oems twice, then had the FSD Konis installed. Fixed. Forever warranty. Register them with
Koni.
Did shocks and made a big difference on side to side and bucking. Mine had 220k ish miles.. did airbags and another major improvement ..