Community Forums

Bentley · 12-05-2011, 04:17 PM

Recently I had new shocks installed on my Windsor and notice that the coach was not setting level. I instructed the service center to adjust the ride height and when I picked it up a day later they told me that they made slight adjustment but could go no further. The drivers side front is low so they adjusted the curbside rear. Is there something yet that can be done to correct this?

DC Cruiser · 12-05-2011, 09:10 PM

According to my manual they would have to lower the curbside rear to raise the front drivers side. Not sure why they could only go so far and the manual does not say anything else other than that method of adjusting the ride height. I have been trying to find the right measurements and measure points as there seems to be some conflicting info as to the correct figures and points of measurements. My manual says that the front is 9.5in and the rear is 11 in measured between the air bag mounting plates. Are these the figures your shop used and the same point of measurement? Other sources have said to use my figures but with measuring from the frame down to the top of the H frame. Just trying to figure out which is right.

CHEERS

Dynasty_09 · 12-05-2011, 09:44 PM

Humm,

That's a trick question! Did they lower the RR (Rigth Rear or Curb rear) because it was too low or because they could not adjust the FL ( Front Left) higher? Height adjustment is really tricky and will affect the handling, suspension travel, weight distribution and could twist the frame.

So, If they lower the RR because you can't raise the FL, you are actually increasing the weight on the FR and RL tires. The results will be a weird drive or more! In theory, height adjustment should be done on scales (That's how we corner balance race cars.)...but I understand it might be hard to do on a MH.

Anyway, I would contact Monaco and ask them the exact procedure to adjust the ride height and find a place who can follow it properly. I called them and they supplied me with the proper information on a RR4R chassis, which is easier (Having only 4 airbags) than yours.

Good luck.

DC Cruiser · 12-05-2011, 09:59 PM

I did contact Monaco and they may have been a help to your newer 09 but as far as the older models the tech I talked to wasnt that sure as to the correct measurements or the proper place to measure and he said that he wouldnt put a lot of faith in what my manual said. Not meaning to hijack your thread Bentley but I think we are both after the same info to a degree.

CHEERS

Bentley · 12-06-2011, 08:11 AM

Wow, around and around we go. Thanks to everyone for your response.

itdave · 12-06-2011, 08:13 AM

According to a chart on the Monacoers Yahoo Group site the ride heights for a 2003 Windsor are 9.5 front 11 rear.

Bentley · 12-06-2011, 08:17 AM

That's what my dealer did. He put it back into specs and it still is about an 1" low at the front drivers side.

DC Cruiser · 12-06-2011, 06:03 PM

Ok so we have a measurement that matches now where did they take that measurement? Air bag plates or frame to frame that is the question?

CHEERS

Papa_Jim · 12-06-2011, 08:55 PM

There's two ride height valves at the back axle, one just inside each rear wheel. These rear ride height valves can be adjusted independently to set the ride height at each rear wheel.

There's one ride height valve at the front axle, right in the middle of the axle. This front ride height valve can be adjusted to set the ride height at the front axle.

If the rear ride height valves are correctly adjusted to give the correct ride height at each rear wheel, and the front of the coach is still low on a corner, that might suggest there's a twist in the frame, or something wrong with a front airbag.

To check the ride height, it's good to make sure you're on a level surface, and you have not turned the coach into its parking spot. It's good to be able to drive it straight forward to the parking spot. The air pressure should be right up to make sure the problem isn't one air bag leaking.

I'm not an expert, but I believe the air ride measurement is taken between the frames.

CoCoDave · 12-07-2011, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC Cruiser

Ok so we have a measurement that matches now where did they take that measurement? Air bag plates or frame to frame that is the question?

CHEERS

Here's a couple of posts showing Monaco's recommended measurement technique. Remember to use your coach's actual specs.

Ride Height Adjustment

Ride Height Adjustment 2 Dot Oh

FWIW

Bentley · 12-08-2011, 08:40 AM

A big thanks to all. Now I will schedule a visit to the dealer well equipped with information that can handle any conversation that he may throw at me.
Bentley

walt2137 · 12-08-2011, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley

Recently I had new shocks installed on my Windsor and notice that the coach was not setting level. I instructed the service center to adjust the ride height and when I picked it up a day later they told me that they made slight adjustment but could go no further. The drivers side front is low so they adjusted the curbside rear. Is there something yet that can be done to correct this?

Bentley it sounds like you have a early 2000 Windsor if so have them to use the old method for the ride height, if I try to use the air bag method on our 2000 Dynasty I'm not sure I could get the measurements on the rear air bags and if so it would be setting awful high.

Papa_Jim · 12-08-2011, 09:29 PM

I agree with Walt. I found if I tried to set the ride height using the measurement at the air bag that my coach was much too high. When I set the ride height using the measurement between the frames, the ride height was good. I like measuring between the frames, it's easy to check any time with a tape measure to make sure that the ride height is staying where it should.