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Topic: Shock adjustment (Read 574 times) previous topic - next topic

Shock adjustment

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
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #1
There was someone on here that made some nylon spacers to prevent wheel contact but I cant find the posting right now.

Mark
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Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #2
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
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #3
I think this is the link.

Tire clearance issue

Mark
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Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #4
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. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #5
Thanks
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #6
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. 
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #7
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
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #8
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.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #9
What kind of stock did you use? Did you weld them in place or use some sort of adhesive?
Thanks, Don

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.
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

 

Re: Shock adjustment

Reply #10
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.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country