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Topic: Replacing rear shocks (Read 860 times) previous topic - next topic

Replacing rear shocks

I had my oil and filter changed and an oil sample taken for me by a local shop in Mission, TX willing to install front and rear shocks (Koni FSDs) on our 2000 U270.  The fronts seem straight forward, but the front shock on the rear position is difficult to see, yet alone get a wrench on. Can the top bolt be reached  from below? Is removing the rear duals wheels necessary/the way to do it?
In reviewing Koni posts, I have assumed the shop has the right power equipment to unbolt the OEM shocks with 97,000 miles.
 
Thanks
Bob
2000 40ft U270 CAI
Winter: Texas Rio Grande Valley or Foley, AL
Summer: The Gardens RV Community of Crossville, TN
2000 40 FT U270, Xtreme FBP
2017 C-Max Towed

Re: Replacing rear shocks

Reply #1 –
We had the Bilstein shocks on our U295 replaced at FOT with Koni FSDs. To the best of my knowledge, it was done on a flat garage floor without removing any parts other than the shock absorbers.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Replacing rear shocks

Reply #2 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
We had the Bilstein shocks on our U295 replaced at FOT with Koni FSDs.

I'm curious about the results.  Did you notice a great improvement in handling or ride with the Konis?

Chuck
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Replacing rear shocks

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
We had the Bilstein shocks on our U295 replaced at FOT with Koni FSDs.

I'm curious about the results.  Did you notice a great improvement in handling or ride with the Konis?

Chuck

No. I think there was some improvement, but I didn't think it was "great improvement." The mileage on the Bilsteins was around 70K. Other folk have been very pleased with the improvement provided by FSDs.

On our SOB 37' DP, we replaced previous shocks with FSDs, added some air line restricters in the lines to the air bags to reduce body roll, and installed Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer. The improvement was remarkable. That coach still didn't handle nearly as well as the FT of the same vintage with all original equipment.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Replacing rear shocks

Reply #4 –
Quote from: BobW –
The fronts seem straight forward, but the front shock on the rear position is difficult to see, yet alone get a wrench on. Can the top bolt be reached  from below? Is removing the rear duals wheels necessary/the way to do it?
In reviewing Koni posts, I have assumed the shop has the right power equipment to unbolt the OEM shocks with 97,000 miles.
Thanks
Bob
2000 40ft U270 CAI


I did mine myself, front and rear.  The FSD's are a little better than the Bilsteins, but not overwhelming.  You are right about the front rear being hard to get too.  I removed the horizontal metal trim strip which allowed me to remove the fiberglass fender.  Then I could get a socket wrench on the bolt with an extender.  A well equipped shop might be able to do the work without removing the fender or wheels.  Removing the wheels would give more working room, but for me the fender was easier than the wheels (heavy).  Be careful not to break the fender at the small part above the wheel. It's a bit of work, so if the shop is quoting a reasonable price, best to have it done.  Requires larger than normal tools.  I had to buy some just for that reason.
 
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: Replacing rear shocks

Reply #5 –
I replaced the shocks myself and it was quite a job.
Removing the wheels made access to the rear shocks on the front and the forward shocks on the rear reasonable for me.
My main problem was getting a wrench on the upper bolts.  I ended up using a socket wrench with a pipe extension to break them loose.  Then the main problem was swinging room for the handle.  To finish the job I was only able to rotate the nut 1-click at a time having to remove the socket from the nut and rotate the socket 1-click by hand and then put it back on.
A powerful right-angle impact wrench would have made the job trivial.
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org
 

Re: Replacing rear shocks

Reply #6 –
I just had new Koni FSDs installed on my 1996 295 at FOT a month ago. They did it on the floor, had air impact wrenchs.

No tire removal, no fender removal.
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB