Shock Replacement Help

[Barrier2]

Hi All, Need some help. Has anyone replaced the front Shocks on a 2001 Dynasty themselves. Is it do-able as DIY project? As an alternate has anyone ever bought their own shocks and had a Shop replace them? Any idea what the charge would be to install the ones I bought? This is the unit with the 4 front shocks.
thanks
Robert

[Jimmyzw22]

I have a Holiday Rambler 2002 40 PBT with the Roadmaster RR8R Chassis with 8 airbags and 8 shocks. I just put 8 new Koni FSD's on and it took me about an hour with air tools. If you are not mechanically inclined and don't have air tools you may want to have a shop change them for you. Call around and negotiate. If you do it yourself make sure you wear safety goggles.

[Barrier2]

Hi Jimmy, Thanks for the response. I do have the air tools 1/2" impact wrench. Were you able to get to the upper bolts? Did you jack the front or do it at ride height?
Robert

[Jimmyzw22]

It was all done at standard ride height. Like I said wear goggles because you have to get right under the shock. the top mount I used a 1/2 inch impact gun with a deep 3/4 socket. just make sure you get the top washers right.

[Barrier2]

Thanks again Jimmy,
I also remember reading of someone who had a Shop install their purchased shocks. Anyone know who that might be? Or a ball park figure of the fee? There are few available easy service facilities near where we live but we will be leaving in a couple of weeks heading toward Elkhart and points west.
Robert

[Diplomat Don]

Barrier2.....When you change the front shocks. You turn the wheel hard right and do two shocks and then turn hard left and get the other two. Air tools and a large open end wrench and your good to go.

[lonestarace]

Camping World will do them for $36/shock. It doesn't matter where the shocks came from.

I couldn't get the old Bilsteins off our 98 DutchStar because both the 1/2" impact and me just weren't strong enough to get the rusty old(and larger) hardware loose. I already had the new Bilsteins in hand, and when I called 'em, they didn't hesitate.

Then, I called for a quote for our 10 shock 99 Monaco and they quoted us $36/shock weather they sold us the shocks, or we brought our own. I ended up doin it myself that time because the bolt sizes were much smaller on the Monaco so my 1/2" impact and me were strong enough.

[Dr4Film]

Camping World is a rip-off!

On April 16, I am having Rite-Way Axle & Suspension replace 8 original shocks with Koni FSD's. The shocks are being delivered tomorrow. They will replace all 8 for one hours labor of $85 based on a phone call to them. They are in Sun Valley, CA near LA.

I don't have air tools and have no desire to get underneath this huge behemoth and have dirt and crap falling down on top of me. Let alone all of the skinned knuckles and greasy hands. I put my time in many years ago working on all of my vehicles doing just about all of it for over 25 years. I have given most of my tools away and now I pay to have it done while I sit reading the paper.My time is more valuable than the $85 that I will give to the shop to do the work.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[trux]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film Camping World is a rip-off! On April 16, I am having Rite-Way Axle & Suspension replace 8 original shocks with Koni FSD's. The shocks are being delivered tomorrow. They will replace all 8 for one hours labor of $85 based on a phone call to them. They are in Sun Valley, CA near LA. I don't have air tools and have no desire to get underneath this huge behemoth and have dirt and crap falling down on top of me. Let alone all of the skinned knuckles and greasy hands. I put my time in many years ago working on all of my vehicles doing just about all of it for over 25 years. I have given most of my tools away and now I pay to have it done while I sit reading the paper.My time is more valuable than the $85 that I will give to the shop to do the work. Dr4Film ----- Richard.

Couldn't agree with you more Dr4Film!
I worked on my own highway rig for years. It was tough enough driving 'em never mind servicing. Don't think you'll find a better rate.

Trux

[Rex]

Yep. $85 to change all 8 shocks is a real bargain. Might be worth watching the guy do the job. Must have some special way of doing that many that fast. Don't be surprised if it takes much longer and cost more. Try to tie then down to the price before they go to work.

[Pusherpilot]

I just had mine replaced on our 04 HR Imperial. The chassis is a RR8S. I got the shocks off the internet and when I looked at the job of replacing them I went looking for a shop to do the job. The tire shop that replaced my tires last year in Branson, Mo quoted $25 each, total $200. The $85 sounds like a lo-ball, particularly since a shop in Calif I called to do the job earlier this year wanted $50 per to do it. I should rephrase, they wanted $140 per shock for them to get them and install them. I got them for $85 on the internet and paid $25 per to have them installed, or $110 each installed.
Ron

[UK Gordo]

Hi, I just replaced all 8 Monroes with Bilstiens on our 2000 Diplomat 38, got them from Shockwharehouse.com (401 515-4601 for their really helpfull tech guy)

It was a fairly easy job as I did have some help from a younger more agile guy (My arthritis does not make any jobs easy now)

We jacked up on some 4" thick wood pads and put heavy duty (6 ton) axle stands under the axle beam and them lowered the rig jacks until just freeing the shocks from lifting the weight. this gave us lots of safe room underneath to sit up and work and gave access over the tires as well, although working through that space means relying on your rigs jacks and the wood pads to keep the rig up off of the wheel.

I did use an air wrench but found it was not really usefull for all the nuts, just a regular 1/2 inch drive socket set, a couple of wrenches, a large punch, a big hammer, and all the appropiate swear words us old time mechanics use !!!.

NOTE : keep the nuts with their respective bolts as some had different threads (found out the hard way on that). some of the the bolts had corroded to the metal inserts in the bushes and we had to use some good old heavy hammer tactics to shift them, but all in all it was not a difficult job. took about 2 1/2 hrs with the set up & cleanup after just in time for a beer for a job weel done !

Hope this helps, At least I know it's done right........Gordon

[Jimmyzw22]

85$ install is very reasonable. The FSD'd while expensive were the best thing I ever did for our ride. It made 100% difference

[Dr4Film]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex Yep. $85 to change all 8 shocks is a real bargain. Might be worth watching the guy do the job. Must have some special way of doing that many that fast. Don't be surprised if it takes much longer and cost more. Try to tie then down to the price before they go to work.

This is a big rig truck shop with all of the proper tools to get the job done. They did my front end alignment a few years back. Did a great job at a reasonable cost. The shop tech said that it would be approximately one hours labor, $85. Even if it takes another 30 minutes, I feel it's still a deal not to have the banged up knuckles, dirt, crap and all of the four letter words permeating the area.

I will re-post after the 16th once the shocks are installed to let people know what it ended up costing me. Got the shocks delivered yesterday as promised directly from Shox.com. Arthur was very helpful and if anyone is planning to purchase Koni shocks, they are the cheapest on the net, $175 per, out the door. Because I live in CA, I got nailed for Arnie's tax but anyone else outside of CA, $1400 complete and shipped.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.