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Topic: Shock replacement (Read 809 times) previous topic - next topic

Shock replacement

Re: What did you do to your coach today.
Quote
« Reply #605 on: December 04, 2012, 08:22:08 PM »
Replaced my 8 shocks with the Koni shocks.  Wow, big ride difference, the others were pretty dead.  Took about 2 hours total with a buddy and my impact wrench.  Now I'm watching all the bumps to see how they feel......or don't anymore

Steven M
98 U270 WTFE 36'
Houston, TX


My coach very smooth now.  03 U320 with 75K.  Would it be worthwhile to replace them now?  They are very rusty looking so I would guess they are original.  My question is, how often (miles or time) should shocks be replaced when using the air bag system?  Thanks, David
David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393

Re: Shock replacement

Reply #1 –
Some exterior leakage is normal if they are gas filled like Bilsteins. Pop the bottom bolt off and check for resistance up and down. Should not have any dead spots that may indicate low fluid and should take a pretty good effort to move over the entire length of travel. Have original Konis on a MBZ 300SD with 440,000 and still working well. Some do fail at an earlier age so an occasional check is necessary.

Huge difference between Koni or Bilstein shocks and the 20K mile OEM stuff that Detroit put on cars in past years.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Shock replacement

Reply #2 –
We replaced Bilsteins with Koni FSD on our U295 a couple of years ago at about 75K miles. I didn't notice as much difference as I expected. There was probably some improvement in handling, but not much difference in porpoising. Other folk have reported significant improvements.

We replaced shocks with Koni FSD on another coach on a Freightliner XC chassis at 110K (?). We also installed some "anti roll" air restricters from Henderson's LineUp for the air bags. It made a big difference. It was still a jarring, wallowing pig, but was better with the new shocks and accessories.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Shock replacement

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Retired Navy Chief –

My coach very smooth now.  03 U320 with 75K.  Would it be worthwhile to replace them now?  They are very rusty looking so I would guess they are original.

David,

Your '03 U320 should have come with Koni adjustables as OEM (reddish-orange shock bodies). 

Some of us have upgraded to Koni FSD (non adjustable, frequency-selective dampening, gold shock bodies). 

If you don't have any complaints, probably not worth doing but you can keep the FSDs in mind for the future.  We thought ours were a bit tired; a little too much porpoising on I-20 expansion joints.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Shock replacement

Reply #4 –
FOT Friday 4th, are installing all 8 FSD me, hope they make an noticeable difference ?
Dave Mc

Re: Shock replacement

Reply #5 –
Dave,

They made a major difference in our coach.  A little more "firm/abrupt" on the sharper bumps but seriously smooth on the highway. 

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Shock replacement

Reply #6 –
Remember that if your shocks are not leaking oil, you can adjust them stiffer to compensate for age.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R
 

Re: Shock replacement

Reply #7 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
Remember that if your shocks are not leaking oil, you can adjust them stiffer to compensate for age.

True for the adjustable Konis ONLY-- the red-brown ones.  Koni FSD's and all Bilsteins are NOT adjustable.

And, adjustment on the Konis is for dampening on rebound ONLY.

If you have Koni adjustable shocks and need information on how to adjust them, let us know.
http://www.koni-na.com/adjustment.cfm

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
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Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020