Community Forums

tom chelbana · 10-17-2019, 06:48 PM

At Minot FMCA rally purchased a set of 60 mm Bilstein front shocks used on King Aires and now in 2020 MA on up K-3 chassis. Also added motion control valves for front air bags that limits or slow down movement air in and out of air bags. The reason for the change was a soft suspension on front end that would bottom out on some dips. With these two additions and our first time out can, report that this firms up the front end and makes our 18 London Aire tighter in driving and a noticeable improvement.
Paid almost a thousand dollars from Spartan for the 60 mm front shocks but have heard that Koni also makes a 60 mm front shock for the K-3 that are around 200 dollars and might be just as good and a lot less. Went to Koni web site and there was no listing for these shocks. The motion control valves go in air line just before the air bag and limit the air movement in and out of air bag and around 125 dollars a piece.
If you are sometimes bottoming out on dips and/or wanting to firm up the front suspension on your K-3 chassis with the 20K rating would recommend this upgrade.
Newmar Man

Ken Gluckman · 10-18-2019, 08:04 AM

I had Konis added at Spartan and the cost was about $500 installed.

tom chelbana · 10-18-2019, 09:28 AM

Did you think the Koni were overall better then Spartan front shocks? What problems lead to replacing front shocks? The price is much better. Changed front shocks myself, not real easy because of high torque on bottom and top shocks.
Newmar Man

Ken Gluckman · 10-18-2019, 10:39 AM

There was a lot of harshness originally, like when crossing a bridge on the interstate. Much better with Konis.

Tigerfan1 · 10-18-2019, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Gluckman

There was a lot of harshness originally, like when crossing a bridge on the interstate. Much better with Konis.

I also replaced my Sach shocks with Koni Evos. Very good improvement. Smoothed out harshness on bumps and bridge strips. Only negative is where I purchased them. Shock warehouse. Horrible customer service.

tom chelbana · 10-18-2019, 08:05 PM

Day two with up graded front suspension on and like the shocks and motion control valves. Hit some big dips on 99 and no bottoming out and felt better with steering after big dips. One could cut the cost by going with Koni 60 mm front shocks by 400$ and would have been the way we would have gone today.

Jtrving · 12-10-2019, 02:41 PM

Does anyone have the part #'s for the 60mm Konis for the front on a K-3 chassis? I am going to make the switch from the 46mm Bilsteins on my 2018 MA.

Thanks.

Steve Kieffer · 12-10-2019, 02:57 PM

Koni shocks are 56 mm. Many reports that they work good, including one I read in the past from a King Aire owner who changed from 60 mm Bilstein to 56 mm Koni.

I used the 60 mm Bilstein on my Mountain Aire because I, and my dealer received a lot of noise from Spartan that changing to Koni might void the warranty. (I know total BS, but ...)

It makes total sense that the motion control valves would help. The Hadley system is a 2 axle system bastardized to add the tag axle by using a proportional distribution valve at the rear. That valve directs 40% of the force to the tag axle (which I strongly believe is too much). The net result of this system, magnified by the small air lines and location of the distribution valve, is insufficient air volume to the rear and too much air volume to the front axle.

This arrangement also contributes to tag axle induced porpoising.

Steve Kieffer · 12-10-2019, 03:16 PM

I should add, if you can get a dealer to do this work, adjusting the rear proportional valve so the tag axle only gets 35% of the rear air, rather than 40%, will improve your ride.

An old Spartan tech did this on my 2015 Cornerstone.

Jtrving · 12-10-2019, 03:21 PM

Steve,

Did you experience a noticeable difference going from the 46mm to the 60mm Bilsteins?

I do not have any plans on adding motion control valves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Kieffer

Koni shocks are 56 mm. Many reports that they work good, including one I read in the past from a King Aire owner who changed from 60 mm Bilstein to 56 mm Koni.

I used the 60 mm Bilstein on my Mountain Aire because I, and my dealer received a lot of noise from Spartan that changing to Koni might void the warranty. (I know total BS, but ...)

It makes total sense that the motion control valves would help. The Hadley system is a 2 axle system bastardized to add the tag axle by using a proportional distribution valve at the rear. That valve directs 40% of the force to the tag axle (which I strongly believe is too much). The net result of this system, magnified by the small air lines and location of the distribution valve, is insufficient air volume to the rear and too much air volume to the front axle.

This arrangement also contributes to tag axle induced porpoising.

dcrna1 · 12-10-2019, 06:49 PM

The correct Koni EVO’s part number for the fronts is 99b-3234

dcrna1 · 12-10-2019, 06:51 PM

https://www.ultrarvproducts.com/Koni...eyco-IFS-Front

Steve Kieffer · 12-11-2019, 03:06 AM

Yes, there is a noticeable change going from 46 mm to 60 mm Bilstein shocks.

Also of importance is accuracy in the ride height adjustment. I'm told the Spartan spec is +/- 1/4". That is too wide of a range. I pushed and got my ride height adjusted so there was only a 1/8" difference between any of the four corners.

96kpmjmm · 12-11-2019, 04:03 AM

We recently picked up our 2020 London Aire after 3 1/2 years with our Dutch Star. We loved our DS but i am over the moon with how the London Aire handles. The Valid Air system is incredibly. I don't know what front shocks I have but does changing them and getting the ride height within a 1/8 of inch make that much of a noticeable difference. Safe travels to all