Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD (Read 1189 times) previous topic - next topic

Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Just bought coach and starting on list of to do's. New steering box rebuild from Redhead. New bags all around and new chassis batteries. My question is this.Coach has red or orange Koni's on it and all appear good. I believe they are adjustable. While I'm doing bags and steering box upfront would I notice any appreciable benefit to swap out Konis to the FSD's  just in the front other than a lighter wallet. Trying to get all long term PM done. Fuel lines are next. Any thoughts appreciated

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #1 –
How many miles are on your coach? They definitely improved the ride of mine with 106,000 miles. Think of the labor to do the shocks at a later time when they are so easy with the airbags out.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #2 –
Fuel lines and redhead first, if budget allows you will notice steering Accuracy improvements and may notice ride improvements

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #3 –
89,000 miles. Have rebuilt Redhead, Fuel lines are planned after suspension work.Thinking just might  be lot easier to do shocks with bags out in front. Will do back shocks later. Do they make much difference over adjustable konis. Coach drives like a dream even with seeping steering box. Wondering if good bang for the buck.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #4 –
If on perfect roads.  Don't bother.  Rough roads?  Immediately

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #5 –
The FSD's eliminated the porpoising I was having with the original red shocks.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #6 –
And if you adjust them tighter every square edge kick back hard.

What tires?

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #7 –
Lots and LOTS of previous discussion, albeit the most recent is likely a few years ago, on exactly this subject.  You might try searching the forum (Community -> Search) for Koni FSD to get some of the prior posts/info.

Note red-orange Koni shocks are adjustable, gold FSD Koni shocks are not (thought it doesn't matter since they function a little differently than the red-orange OEMs).

Personal bias - FSD was one of the best upgrades we'd made to our 2003.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #8 –
Our Koni FSD story:  Many years ago, we drove out after installing them and the coach rode MUCH better, and within a few miles it was the new norm and I could no longer remember how our old shocks felt. Still going good years later and happy we put them on.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #9 –
So mine has gold color Koni's. Are those the best

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #11 –
What is "redhead" ? and is there age limit to fuel lines (uhhh this is probably already discussed, need to search)

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #12 –
Quote from: propman –
What is "redhead" ? and is there age limit to fuel lines (uhhh this is probably already discussed, need to search)

Redhead is the company many on the forum recommend using for rebuilding the Shepard steering gearbox. 

Yes, lots of posts on fuel lines.  No hard age limit, but at 20 years, many are showing signs of deterioration and likely need to be replaced.  As they age, they develop micro cracks and some start weeping fuel.  The micro cracks allow air to be drawn in on the supply side and when it gets severe enough makes engine starting very difficult.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #13 –
Quote from: DayDreamer –
Redhead is the company many on the forum recommend using for rebuilding the Shepard steering gearbox.
Thank you!.
"No hard age limit, but at 20 years," Do we know if this more true for the ones build in 1990s vs. 2000s.
Have they used different materials or was it same throughout.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #14 –
No difference in materials these were used on over the road trucks long before they were used on coaches.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #15 –
Quote from: craneman –
No difference in materials these were used on over the road trucks long before they were used on coaches.
When we replace them do we replace them with the same kind material and hope for 20 years service or are there better longer lasting hose available for diesel fuel lines now, compare to 90s and early 2000s?

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #16 –
I was speaking of the steering box. New fuel lines are much better now.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #17 –
I had my redtops readjusted twice to compensate for their wear. 

Major change to replace them with the FSD's. 

Plus if registered with Koni they have a lifetime warranty

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Spiderhitch –
Just bought coach and starting on list of to do's. New steering box rebuild from Redhead. New bags all around and new chassis batteries. My question is this.Coach has red or orange Koni's on it and all appear good. I believe they are adjustable. While I'm doing bags and steering box upfront would I notice any appreciable benefit to swap out Konis to the FSD's  just in the front other than a lighter wallet. Trying to get all long term PM done. Fuel lines are next. Any thoughts appreciated
Per the shocks. do they have any oil on them at all. This is a sign that the seal has failed. And if even one has that issue. The others are not likely far behind in failing. The labor saved by doing the shocks and bag at the same time is big. Yet if the shocks are oil free and good then no need.

On fuel lines. The difference in cost of rubber and high quality (and very long lived) Silicone lines is relatively minor. It's the labor that bites real hard. Even though we are not sure of whether our coach will be living or dead in 20 years when it will be 42 years old. We will spring for the top rated lines when we have them replaced next month.

Re: Thoughts on replacing Koni with Koni FSD

Reply #19 –
Quote from: bigdog –
On fuel lines. The difference in cost of rubber and high quality (and very long lived) Silicone lines is relatively minor. It's the labor that bites real hard. Even though we are not sure of whether our coach will be living or dead in 20 years when it will be 42 years old. We will spring for the top rated lines when we have them replaced next month.
Bigdog, when you select a fuel line, please post the details on the type you select.  It is my understanding silicone hoses are a little permeable, so it is unlikely they make a silicon fuel hose like they make for coolant/heater/radiator service.  I believe CARB and other environmental agencies require new fuel hose to be much less permeable and I think most compliant hoses have a barrier liner covered with a material to protect that liner.  Then again, there are lots of products on the market and perhaps they have a silicone hose that is rated for diesel service.

I read other posts where Trident Barrier Lined A1-15 Fuel hose was used and read that MOT is using something which looks like PEX.  Will be interesting to see what you select.