Koni FSD's Worn Out at 11K miles

[coachmanrvr]

Just to let you know, we are traveling back to Memphis over very familiar road to us and the coach is back to porpoising just like the original shocks.

We have had them on for 11K miles and had them installed back in Aug of 09. For a car shock I would say this is extremely premature, but RV's I am not sure. I am going to contact Koni, because installation of their FSD really improved the ride when the shock was new. More to follow.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachmanrvr More to follow.

OK! Looking forward to it!

[Diplomat Don]

coachmanrvr.......You might want to check your ride height. If it got thrown off since the shocks were put on, it can change your ride......just a thought.

[coachmanrvr]

Thanks for the thought, but the UFO chassis is a "bagless" chassis. No ride height issues here.

I did a little reading and the shocks come with a "limited lifetime" warranty...whatever that means?

I am working nights next week, but will get in touch with Koni as soon as I can and post a follow up.

Thanks.

[coachmanrvr]

Finally got around to getting the shocks off and sent back to Koni for "inspection". What I found was that one shock could be manually pulled out and could be collapsed by hand quickly. It is definately blown. The other was stronger, but nothing like when they were new. I'll post again when Koni lets me know what they are going to do about replacing them.

I had to put the stock shocks back on for temp use and am not looking foward traveling with them. Can't wait for the new Koni's.

[Sixpack98]

That's not good. Let's hope it was a bad batch of shocks. A lot of folks put out lots of $$$ (including me) and wont be at all happy if the Koni's crap out with that few miles. Just about as worse is if Koni replaces them - they are apita to install. A bigger poke in the eye is if you have to send the defective ones back before they send the replacements. ARG. Hopefully, this is not a wide range problem.

[coachmanrvr]

I actually went out and bought an impact wrench so I could change them myself. It was near 100 dollars to have them installed, so I figure with removing them to send them in and then re-installing the new ones I would be ahead. I'll let you know what happens when Koni gets them inspected.

[coachmanrvr]

Koni is sending two new shocks today. They sent an email letting me know and it just said worn. More to come when we get the new ones back on.


Thanks KONI!

[EngineerMike]

Interesting about the wear time frame. What model# are you using?

[coachmanrvr]

The Koni Shock is their FSD Line Part Number: 8805-1021 for a 2008 UFO Chassis front shock.

We never replaced the rear, but will probably do so in the future. The Koni number for the rear is : 8805-1002.

[EngineerMike]

That's the same front shock I'm going to as we speak, per Koni's sizing. Per the Workhorse UFO Specs page, you have a 9,500# front axle rating, true?
Mine is rated 12K and I'm running at 11,000lbs, tho with air bag suspension instead of leafs.
Now I'm wondering if Koni has the right shock spec'd out for me, or if (hopefully for both of us) you just got some bad shocks the first time.

[coachmanrvr]

Yes the UFO has a 9500lb rating on the front axle. I also know that I am not over that weight fully loaded. I weighed at a CAT scale last time out and with full fuel, water, DW, and three dogs (270 lbs worth!) we were at 9300 and change. I am extremely sensitive to knowing my weight so I can keep the tires at proper pressures.

Time will tell on the shocks when we get more miles on the second set. I'll say this, if you have never ridden in a coach with them you are going to be impressed. I'm glad Koni stepped up and replaced them for me! I am out the cost of my new impact wrench to remove and replace them, but one change out pays for the tool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EngineerMike That's the same front shock I'm going to as we speak, per Koni's sizing. Per the Workhorse UFO Specs page, you have a 9,500# front axle rating, true? Mine is rated 12K and I'm running at 11,000lbs, tho with air bag suspension instead of leafs. Now I'm wondering if Koni has the right shock spec'd out for me, or if (hopefully for both of us) you just got some bad shocks the first time.

[coachmanrvr]

New konis are on and the ride OS great again ! Thanks koni!

[coachmanrvr]

Is great again ... stupid smart phone .

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachmanrvr New konis are on and the ride OS great again ! Thanks koni!