Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Broken Shock mounts (Read 469 times) previous topic - next topic

Broken Shock mounts

I saw a couple of threads from several years ago about broken shock mounts. In 2018 the 4 original drive axle shocks were with Koni FSD's. In March of 2020 during a service at MOT they noticed the rear driver side drive axle mount was broken. They welded the broken tab back on but said nothing about the shock. This past October the other driver side drive axle mount broke. We welded that tab back on but noticed the shock appeared quite weak upon downward compression. Today, I took both of these shocks off and both should be replaced in my opinion. I will contact Koni tomorrow to inquire about warranty, but after reading the older threads on this issue I wonder if it is a Foretravel issue and not Koni. The welded mounts have not broken.

Should I adjust my ride height to 8.5" like Barry Beam did on his 2003?

I saw one comment recommending to dump the air and evaluate if the shocks are keeping the coach from dropping lower. When I have dumped the air before it seems like the basement floor is resting on the rear tires.

Maybe I should just replace the two shocks and see what happens. The shocks do not appear bent like some of the old pictures portrayed. I also should disconnect the passenger side shocks and evaluate them for compressibility. The mounts have not broken on that side.

 Comments are welcome.  Thank you

2003 U320 4010 - SOLD
2014 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel

Re: Broken Shock mounts

Reply #1 –
Koni shocks DO have very little dampening on compression.  The vast majority of their dampening is on extension.

The reason: dampening on compression adds to ride harshness.  Dampening on extension does not, but still controls motion.

Compare with a new one before concluding that yours is bad.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Broken Shock mounts

Reply #2 –
Ed having mounts fail shouldn't happen. The guy who originally welded those mounts welded them all. Shocks when working are doing a lot of work. Fatigue happens. May be worth having all the mounts inspected and proactively repaired prior to failure and additional damage is incurred. I really dont think there was any engineering review involved with there design or lack of. Need mount and put it here? Okay. Same thing for the retarded mount on the 320s. I do want to address the ride height on the front of my coach and verify that the rear is correct for driveline angle. I think a little higher in the front would improve bumpy road feel but also effects step height. More to ponder about
Scott
 

Re: Broken Shock mounts

Reply #3 –
Fair chance that the shock eyes are being compressed and forcing the mount to pivot a little.  They should not break. Look and see if the little shock mount  compression bushing leaves a mark on the mount, or is the mark a larger  circle . Might be rusty looking if it has been working the two metals.