Shock absorbers

[SDPilot]

About a year ago I replaced my shocks with Koni's. Since then, I feel like I am riding on rocks. No give at all. At the end of even a short ride, it feels like someone has been kicking me in the kidneys. Don't know if that is just a function of gas shocks, or just the Koni's. If I change to another brand, any suggestions.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[Rich and Cork]

I like my Koni ride. I might ask what tire pressure you are running. May be too high?

[SDPilot]

I am running with 100 pounds on brand new Michelins

[Dave Fernandez]

I installed the Road Kings on our Alpine just before we left for the Alpine SoCal rally in Plymouth CA. I put just over 900 miles on them going up I-5 and returning on HYW 99. The valveing was set at medium (Part #’s 5-B Front and 4-B Rear) when ordered and they are a great improvement over the Blistiens. Since they are firmer then the Blistiens the ride was slightly stiffer. Over large dips/potholes they were great. The extra cost was worth the improvement.

I decided not to go KONIS because they are hydraulic and I wanted a gas shocks because I personally feel that a Gas shocks are a better.

[takepride]

Charles:

It sounds almost like they sized your Koni's incorrectly. Another possibility is that the fronts were accidentally swapped with the rears (they'll fit). My coach is a bit bigger but I had 1021's and 1022's. Now I just have to remember which was front (the larger ones) and rear (the smaller ones). The ride is very good, much better than the Bilsteins and reportedly better than Monroes (gas).

Now Road Kings better be better, they sure cost more. I'm still waiting for someone to do a side-by-side of the top three shocks, on an Alpine, using their sweaty wad, not mine.

[rmmpe]

Charles,

Are your Koni shocks FSD type?
I replaced my Bilsteins with them and, although a bit firmer, the ride is greatly improved.

[Jeff and Cheryl]

Charles,

I put the Koni's on my coach and experienced a stiffer ride. I've noticed it especially over expansion joints. Recently installed the Motion Control Units and have found the coach to ride much better. You might want to lower your tire pressures. I've run at 100 psi and found it like driving on washboard. At 95 psi the ride is quite a bit smoother. I've got the Toyo's, if you have a different brand tire check their website to find out the recommended pressure for the load your front/rear weight .

[Rich and Cork]

Your tire pressure seems reasonable.

The Koni's may be set on too high a dampening setting.

[LVJ58]

For those who state they have a rough ride with the Koni's, are they the "FSD" series or Koni Standard adjustable shocks?

I replaced the Monroe HD Gas Magnum shocks on our front suspension with the Koni FSD shocks and even though the Gas Magnums rode pretty well, the Koni FSD's gave an even superior ride.

We have the Koni Adjustables on our rear suspension set at medium and they seem to ride fairly well. When they wear out I'll replace them with teh FSD's.

[SDPilot]

Thanks for all the comments. They are FSD's. I hadn't thought about the possibility that the front and rears were swapped, since I had an RV shop install them. Once I find out which are supposed to be where, I will check them out. Hopefully, that is the problem, and is easily fixed.

[EngineerMike]

1021 on front, 1022 on back

[SDPilot]

Engineer Mike - Thank you. Just checked the shocks - the 1021's are on the rear. Will have the RV place swap them this week.

This site (and E. Mike) just saved me a bunch of money (and a marriage)

[takepride]

Charles:

Don't feel bad. I caught the installer doing the same thing. It was his bad luck that the wheels were already reinstalled and he had to climb under the coach and replace the rear ones, the hard way.

Looking at the shocks it makes some sense to put the bigger ones on the rear, since it weighs more, but the bigger shock is also longer, just like the distance between the mounting posts is longer on the fronts.

Sometimes it pays to "eagle-eye" the mechanic, even if he hates being watched over. Heck, it's my money.

[SDPilot]

Just got my coach back from the shop, with the shocks on correctly. What a difference! Now it rides like an Alpine should. Thanks all.