Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Topic: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb (Read 1887 times) previous topic - next topic

Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

March 01, 2015, 07:37:39 am

We've been wanting to replace our 16yr old OEM shocks for some time even tho they showed no outward sign of failure but something always seemed to get priority (ie steering box r/r). So while we headed back to MI last week, we dropped the coach off at Tennessee RV for installation of all 8 shocks. The shocks were purchased at FOT at comparable pricing w/ the 10% M/C discount. WOW what a difference! Sway is much less in the rear and the porpoising is eliminated to a large degree. We've both agreed its the best non upgrade item added to our coach since purchasing 2 yrs ago. Looking forward to the "new standard" of ride in our vintage FT.

Kudo to James ('83 FT owner) at TN RV service for his professional oversight of the job.
Thanks also to those on the forum for your insight & knowledge. Esp Brett Wolfe

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #1 – March 01, 2015, 09:04:31 am

I noticed the difference right away when I put them on and now I am starting to replace them. I just did the tags and I will do the others when I change out the airbags this year.

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #2 – March 01, 2015, 11:01:54 pm

I'd be curious to know how much difference was caused specifically by the FSDs versus just getting rid of the old shocks. Guess there's no real practical way to test.

I also noticed a very big difference switching to the FSDs but it also seemed like my old Bilsteins had started performing worse over the last 10k miles too. I was noticing a lot more sway when passing other large vehicles and more bouncing over bumps. Only one of the Bilsteins was leaking. I've played around with the removed shocks, compressing them and watching them expand but none of them seems to behave any differently from the others, even the leaking one.

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #3 – March 01, 2015, 11:11:53 pm

I had 60k on my old shocks and now I have 100k on these new ones. I am going to replace them this year. The Bilsteins were not worn out when I pulled them.

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #4 – March 02, 2015, 10:07:02 am

Seems silly to post a counter to this interest in changing shocks....like Dave said, sort of, do what makes you happy.

I have had several say they could not notice much if any difference in the FSD shocks but I figured others did so i might. Then a fellow i respect very much on forum said, get new shocks given the miles you have Mike.

So, went to MOT, twice now over last year to get changed......they will do the change if I insist, but clearly thought not needed. Inspected and drove our coach. I have no driving experience with any other coach so i cannot know if i have excessive pitch or sway, but what i experience on sway is very limited. As for pitching up and down, there is a bridge on Nac loop that offers a trial on that behavior and i thought it quite a bit. But tech drivers of our coach say normal amount i am seeing.

Do not know if PO had changed the shocks so maybe they are not 15 years old? Still want to change but when people that stand to get a job do not encourage me, I kinda feel i would be foolish.

Still dithering over this....

cheers,

Mike

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #5 – March 02, 2015, 10:12:05 am

I have had a 1999 and 2000. Both had MUCH better handling after installation of Koni FSD. Read up on Koni's web site re FSD technology and you will see the differences vs. standard rebound controllers ("shocks" a really poorly chosen name).

Also, search on Koni FSD on the forum search function (which you may already have from your comments) and there are plenty of threads.

For my $$$, any coach of this era, it would be one of the first things that I did when I purchased.

as is said by my friend Dave "do what makes you happy"

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #6 – March 02, 2015, 11:04:52 am

Just replaced my 120k mile original Koni adjustables with FSD's (front only). I could not tell any difference in the ride. Maybe with more driving.

I know the bridge in Nac someone mentioned. It would be a good test. My coach really jumps up and down going across it. However, I'm in California and not up to driving to Nac just to test my shocks. Roads in California are a lot worse than those in Nac, so would expect them to be a good test as well. Time will tell (maybe).

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #7 – March 02, 2015, 11:15:59 am

"Shocks" control rebound - they have an effect on ride - if they are set "soft" ride is better, control is worse. If they are set "hard" control is better, ride is worse.

Koni FSD's react and adjust - so they are normally "hard" which gives a better control feel (less sway, more accurate steer in), but on bit impact will react in time to act "soft"

Because they are names "shocks" most folks think ride will improve with FSD's. In fact, as your shocks age, they get softer. the most noticeable difference will generally not be in ride quality, but that ride quality does not get worse after install, while handling improves.

Most performance cars have harsh rides because they have "firm or hard" shock valving. Most luxury cars wallow around but have a soft ride because the shock valving is set "soft".

Koni FSD's give you the best of both worlds. If you didn't notice crisper steering, less sway and more control, chances are other parts of your system 9likely the steering box) are in need of attention as well

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #8 – March 02, 2015, 12:22:48 pm

I readjusted my Koni red tops from the first setting to the third then the fourth. Much less body roll and sway.

Still to stiff on square edged bumps.

The FSD's in a short drive after installation have a similar feel on body roll and sway but the square edges are gone.

Valving is bypassed to the seperate circuit for the square edges.

If you are on the super slab normally the difference is very little.

Off tge interstate and on worse roads is where the FSD's show the redesign.

Koni makes everything up to shocks for railroad cars.

They changed to a velocity sensitive compression and rebound dampening design versus a rebound adjustable design from what I understand from my conversations with the koni shops and reading up.

A engineer mentioned that some models from koni you can add adjustable compression dampening to a adjustable rebound design.

He said the entire insides were changed to a totally different engineering design.

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #9 – March 02, 2015, 12:34:07 pm

Ok, I'm convinced. My handling and ride are very good most of the time. The exception being California interstates where I seem to develop square tires.

So what part number do I need for. 2003 tag-less U295?

Where can I get a good mail order price?

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #10 – March 02, 2015, 01:08:55 pm

Tom, try Web Hosting by InMotion Hosting

ETA: Fixed link

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #11 – March 02, 2015, 01:16:13 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 02, 2015, 12:22:48 pm

Still to stiff on square edged bumps.
The FSD's in a short drive after installation have a similar feel on body roll and sway but the square edges are gone.
Valving is bypassed to the separate circuit for the square edges.

Another reason I keep the tire pressures up. Lower pressure make tires less resistant to damage from the poor condition of our interstates. Most sudden tire failures not from road debris are the cumulative result of damage from pot holes, etc. especially in hot weather.

Pierce

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #12 – March 02, 2015, 02:43:09 pm

I have the original Bilsteins on my rig and with 123000 miles, I will keep them on unless I have a problem. I try to drive like an old man ( wait, I keep forgetting I am one) around 60-63 on highway, less on US roads. My coach handles well, especially after getting my steering box replaced last Nov at Bernd's. Taking it easy on the road is part of being retired, so while I am convinced that the new technology in the Konis is better than what I currently have, I do not need them at this time.

Uh oh, now I am sounding more like my dad who said " if it isn't broke, don't fix it."

Travel and enjoy your rig.....................

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #13 – March 02, 2015, 03:59:23 pm

Maybe old stuff....but.

Shock Therapy: RV Shock Absorber Test

Still like the sound of the design tech behind the FSD.

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #14 – March 02, 2015, 04:59:54 pm

Shocks wear in. And out.

Long term use on the Koni's may alter the firmness a bit.

Anyone have a feeling for any changes from new on FSD's?

My bilsteins died around 100k miles on my large 4x4 truck.

Dampening slowly fares as the fluids break down internally.

The koni guys mentioned longer lasting fluids inside the FSD's versus the red tops.

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #15 – March 30, 2015, 10:38:58 pm

Thinking this may be my next project , is changing all the shocks a DIY project and where are best price . Thanks Jim

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #16 – March 31, 2015, 01:05:05 pm

What is the difference between the 1010 and 1011? What one do we use? Thanks, David

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #17 – March 31, 2015, 01:13:20 pm

Quote from: Retired Navy Chief – March 31, 2015, 01:05:05 pm

What is the difference between the 1010 and 1011?

IIRC 1 p/n is steer and drive axles, the other for tag axle. Thanks to forum search: Koni FSD shocks

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #18 – March 31, 2015, 02:08:02 pm

I've been keeping an eye on the internets for a good price on 8 koni 8805-1010. I'd think a "good" price would be $150 a shock. Lowest I've seen was around 180. What's the price at FOT?

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #19 – March 31, 2015, 03:46:25 pm

We bought 8 Koni FSDs for $155 each plus tax with MC 10% member discount in February 2015.

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #20 – March 31, 2015, 04:46:55 pm

Question: does an overinflated basketball bounce higher than an underinflated basketball?

Same goes for tires. Watch your tire inflation pressures. Will be amazed at the difference in the ride.

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #21 – March 31, 2015, 05:26:48 pm

Any experience with Road King shocks?
Reese

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #22 – March 31, 2015, 08:37:29 pm

While I AM a fan of the Koni FSD's, I will repeat what I present in the Suspension Seminar at FMCA.

To check shocks:

Check visually for leaks (not just damp).
Check bushings for wear.
Check for proper dampening-- go over a parking lot speed bump at normal low speed. If an axle bounces over 1.5 times, either replace shocks or if the OE adjustable Koni shocks, try adjusting them stiffer. If that fails, definitely go with the FSD's.

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #23 – April 14, 2015, 11:09:37 am

$159 + free shipping
8805 1010 Koni Gold FSD Foretravel Motorhomes - Shockwarehouse.com

$164 + free shipping
FORETRAVEL U280/295/300/320 SERIES FRONT FSD 8805-1010

Re: Koni FSDs are our new friends or....kicked Bouncing Betty to the curb

Reply #24 – April 14, 2015, 05:17:23 pm

Shockwarehouse is specifying adjustable Koni which are NOT preferred FSD style.
8805 1010 Koni Adjustable Foretravel
Our externally adjustable shock absorbers are the product of choice for motorhomes with large capacity Independent Front Suspensions (IFS). These shocks feature independent bump and rebound that give you control over large inputs and a smooth ride over highway roads. The external adjustment feature allows you to increase rebound force to compensate for wear or tailor the ride to your specific preference.

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