Community Forums

Letsgoagain · 05-08-2007, 06:42 PM

Howdy,
Going to install Koni's on the front only tomorrow and wondering if any of you that have replaced the shocks yourself have any advice.
From what I've been able to learn from other threads the hard part will be breaking the nuts loose on the factory shocks.
Letsgoagain

Letsgoagain · 05-08-2007, 06:42 PM

Howdy,
Going to install Koni's on the front only tomorrow and wondering if any of you that have replaced the shocks yourself have any advice.
From what I've been able to learn from other threads the hard part will be breaking the nuts loose on the factory shocks.
Letsgoagain

Dutch Star Don · 05-08-2007, 08:22 PM

I turned the front wheels full left and removed one from each side. I then turned the wheels the other way and removed the other two.

gizmo · 05-09-2007, 01:54 AM

when i replaced them on my windsor, i had the air pumped up and jacks down(Just Touching.) Breaking loose the top nut is the hardest part.
when you get to rear shocks thats a whole different story. .conditions are tight and you need very long arms.

Letsgoagain · 05-09-2007, 04:36 AM

Hey thanks to Diplomat Don and gizmo forthe replies. Sounds like both of these suggestions will give me more working room.
Since I only have two up front shocks this should be a fairly easy job. Now I've went and done it. Uusually when I say that it turns into a real chore.
Thanks again for the suggestions.
Letsgoagain.

RonNBama · 05-09-2007, 08:39 AM

Spray the exposed threads with PB Blaster before starting the job. Give it a good soaking and wait an hour or so. Sure made life easier for me when I replaced my eight BloSteins.

Letsgoagain · 05-09-2007, 11:33 AM

Okay got them changed. First one I had a dickens of a time getting the right top bolt loose. Then on the left bottom I thought I would never get that sucker loose. Did everything but stand on my head trying to get leverage. Never again will I attempt that without a impact wrench.
Another problem I encounterd was that the top and bottom brackets are offset from each other some so guiding the shocks into the mounting brackets was tough. I finally learned that if you leave the top bolt out and work the bottom in and then the bolt its much easier. Didn't think I was ever going to get that left bottom to slide into the bracket though. Very close tolerance there.
All in all I would do in again. Unless I don't notice any difference in the ride quality. I'm gonna be one upset dude if thats the case.
Oh by the way RonNBama I did spray the bolts and nuts with WD40. Don't know what that stuff your talking about is but if its wonderstuff I should have tried it.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Letsgoagain:
Howdy,
Going to install Koni's on the front only tomorrow and wondering if any of you that have replaced the shocks yourself have any advice.
From what I've been able to learn from other threads the hard part will be breaking the nuts loose on the factory shocks.
Letsgoagain </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

RonNBama · 05-10-2007, 03:22 AM

Just a hint here: WD-40 is to PB Blaster as O'Douls beer is to Jack Daniels.

Seriously, glad you have most of your knuckles intact. The PB Balster can be found in most auot parts store and I think WallyWorld is carrying it now. It's a far site better than Liquid Wrench too.

Dutch Star Don · 05-10-2007, 05:27 PM

When I replaced my front ones, 8 months ago, I thought Koni had sentme FSD's. They were a fairly new release back then and I trusted they were the right ones. Neither the shocksor packaging said anything other than Koni.

I ordered the rears two weeks ago and actually got the FSD's. I called Koni and they were hesitant to ship me the FSD's for the front. They wanted me to buy four more at a discount. When I had them look at their own web site and see that there is nowhere indicating that what your ordering are FSD's they agreed to exchange them.

Since the ones on my coach were new, I was able to get them off and the four new ones on in 45 minutes.

I'm really anxious to see how it drives.

Letsgoagain · 05-11-2007, 05:20 PM

Diplomat Don,
Now you had me worried so I went out in the garage to look at the box. Box had FSD all over it and I double checked the website where I got the part #'s for my coach.
One thing you might find interesting is that I drove over to Cincinatti and picked them up at Kon's distribution center and actually talked to the heavy truck manager. He didn't get into to many specifics but he assured me I would notice a considerable difference. I told him I hoped so as I just drive 216 miles to get them. I'll find out on the 20th when I leave for vacation.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Diplomat Don:
When I replaced my front ones, 8 months ago, I thought Koni had sentme FSD's. They were a fairly new release back then and I trusted they were the right ones. Neither the shocksor packaging said anything other than Koni.

I ordered the rears two weeks ago and actually got the FSD's. I called Koni and they were hesitant to ship me the FSD's for the front. They wanted me to buy four more at a discount. When I had them look at their own web site and see that there is nowhere indicating that what your ordering are FSD's they agreed to exchange them.

Since the ones on my coach were new, I was able to get them off and the four new ones on in 45 minutes.

I'm really anxious to see how it drives. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>