2018 Spartan Shocks

[Stuart W]

Tom I used a 1/2 inch impact wrench to loosen and retighten and I’m sure it’s close. I looked at the Spartan cd and I understand the Notches thank you. And mine are correct. Let me know if I can help stuart

I should have added, without a pit or rack a torque wrench will be a challenge to maneuver.
Also if your generator slides out , it helps with the drivers side

[Stuart W]

For anyone curious, here’s a picture of the notches we are talking about

[lagawne]

A correction to my post yesterday regarding my shock replacement. Checked with Cummins who did work. It was not the mounting bracket that was removed to install the shock. It was a shield covering the lower shock mount. Sorry for any confusion.

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by lagawne

A correction to my post yesterday regarding my shock replacement. Checked with Cummins who did work. It was not the mounting bracket that was removed to install the shock. It was a shield covering the lower shock mount. Sorry for any confusion.

Interesting, mine had no shields on the bolts.
Made me curious so I looked, no shields in the diagram or parts list.

[Jaguar56]

After discussing with Newmar and the Spartan rep, they sent me to the local Spartan dealer in Austin for evaluation. They are going to go through the basics, ride height and then air compressor governor.



I dropped it off yesterday afternoon. The local service manager said they had one of these issues recently. Apparently they changed them to Koni shocks. So it was not likely under warranty.


Will keep everyone posted.

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by Jaguar56

After discussing with Newmar and the Spartan rep, they sent me to the local Spartan dealer in Austin for evaluation. They are going to go through the basics, ride height and then air compressor governor.



I dropped it off yesterday afternoon. The local service manager said they had one of these issues recently. Apparently they changed them to Koni shocks. So it was not likely under warranty.


Will keep everyone posted.

Don’t take no for an answer,Spartan has provided at least a dozen sets so far

[Jaguar56]

Originally Posted by Stuart W

Don’t take no for an answer,Spartan has provided at least a dozen sets so far

We will dig in. The Spartan rep seemed ready to admit they had a problem on the call, but not quite.



I can understand wanting to avoid a recall, but the universe of affected coaches seems pretty low at this point. Maybe a couple hundred? Likely not even that high.



It would be smart marketing to just get ahead of this.


On a positive note, just driving the coach to the service center put a smile on my face. Even in I35 traffic in Austin. We really do love it.

[BBorgo]

We're in Charlotte having our annual service done. When I went into the office to discuss the service, I mentioned porpoise problem to the service writer. He said they would check the shocks to see which shock was installed and if it was the weak one they would change them out for the more damped version, free. Sounded good to me. The tech (Kyler) checked the ride height, said it was off, replaced the front shocks and found a bad bearing on the idler arm. There were other bits and pieces that he found and corrected in addition to the normal annual service. The coach was a different animal when I got it back, much more solid feel. I haven't driven it across a "whoop di do" yet, but it certainly feels good.
Excellent service experience at the factory, got all my "spare" filters used and new "spares" to carry.
The factory is not convenient to most folks, but if you're planning a trip anywhere near Charlotte, its worth a side trip to get this level of service. We made our appointment for next year, their calendar fills up fast.
Highly recommended.

Bob

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by BBorgo

We're in Charlotte having our annual service done. When I went into the office to discuss the service, I mentioned porpoise problem to the service writer. He said they would check the shocks to see which shock was installed and if it was the weak one they would change them out for the more damped version, free. Sounded good to me. The tech (Kyler) checked the ride height, said it was off, replaced the front shocks and found a bad bearing on the idler arm. There were other bits and pieces that he found and corrected in addition to the normal annual service. The coach was a different animal when I got it back, much more solid feel. I haven't driven it across a "whoop di do" yet, but it certainly feels good.

Excellent service experience at the factory, got all my "spare" filters used and new "spares" to carry.

The factory is not convenient to most folks, but if you're planning a trip anywhere near Charlotte, its worth a side trip to get this level of service. We made our appointment for next year, their calendar fills up fast.

Highly recommended.



Bob

This is what’s so frustrating, Spartan knows it’s a problem, yet all of the Spartan players are not on the same page. Clearly a Hidden Warranty!

[Jaguar56]

Just got a call from the Service Center. They won't be able to do much until next week. But in the test drive they were asked by Spartan to note the number of bounces after hitting a bump. He was counting 5-6. So he could understand where the shocks seem mushy.


But Spartan is not committing to anything before looking at ride height and air system governor setting.

[Canuck53]

Does the amount of bounce depend on how much or little you have on the front axle or any axle?

If someone picks up the coach and it is not loaded will it mask or magnify the problem?

Based on what we know are the 2019 have the new and improved damped shocks?

[Jaguar56]

Originally Posted by Canuck53

Does the amount of bounce depend on how much or little you have on the front axle or any axle?

If someone picks up the coach and it is not loaded will it mask or magnify the problem?

Based on what we know are the 2019 have the new and improved damped shocks?

In our case the coach could not have been much more empty. We had just picked it up and had almost nothing in it.


Just guessing that more weight would make it worse.

[Mark71]

Originally Posted by Jaguar56

Just got a call from the Service Center. They won't be able to do much until next week. But in the test drive they were asked by Spartan to note the number of bounces after hitting a bump. He was counting 5-6. So he could understand where the shocks seem mushy.


But Spartan is not committing to anything before looking at ride height and air system governor setting.

They're asking me to video and count the bounces. We could not duplicate near Junction City, but about 10 miles out of town on our way north we hit one of those ramp and dips and the usual havoc ensued. didn't have the cellphone ready to video but we counted 8 bounces before settling back to normal

[Canuck53]

Originally Posted by Jaguar56

In our case the coach could not have been much more empty. We had just picked it up and had almost nothing in it.


Just guessing that more weight would make it worse.

Yikes hope the new and improved shocks fix...this for all and future purchases!