Shocks

[Mr_D]

I paid about $375 to replace two Koni's on the drive axle. No room to do it without removing the wheels too. But I got the shocks off eBay for $99 plus shipping for the pair so it came out alright. Now going to have to go to small claims court to get paid since Cummins NW broke them and claims they didn't. Good thing I took pictures before and after!

[walt2137]

I replaced my shocks my self.

[Papa_Jim]

Originally Posted by castrol

I like this thread. I honestly expected the Monaco to ride a lot better than it does. There is no telling HOW old the shocks are on the old girl. I might have to add this little upgrade to the list. Are you guys installing yourselves?

Before you spend time replacing the shocks, I suggest that you have your coach weighed and find out what the weight is on each axle. Then adjust your tire pressures accordingly. It can make a world of difference in the smoothness of the ride.

I run at the maximum tire pressure for the best ride. If I increase the tire pressure 5 lb., my wife asks why the coach is riding so rough.

Now, if you've got the tire pressures figured out and the coach is still riding too rough, then it may be time for new shocks. The '90s era Monaco coaches had Bilstein shocks which were designed to Monaco specifications, which were really, really stiff shocks. To replace them, the current Bilstein or Koni shocks will make a world of difference.

I changed my shocks myself. Hard work, just take your time to get it done.

Jim

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by walt2137

I replaced my shocks my self.

I would have too but the rear tires needed to come off to even get to the bolts. 4-315/80's weigh more than I wanted to tackle then to crawl under on my back on the gravel just wasn't in the plans. I did take the front Koni's loose and reset them for more damping.

[walt2137]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I would have too but the rear tires needed to come off to even get to the bolts. 4-315/80's weigh more than I wanted to tackle then to crawl under on my back on the gravel just wasn't in the plans. I did take the front Koni's loose and reset them for more damping.

That would be the old style Konis? I think the new style Konis are not owner adjustable.

[Bucky1320]

Originally Posted by walt2137

That would be the old style Konis? I think the new style Konis are not owner adjustable.

Indeed the FSD Koni's are not adjustable.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by walt2137

That would be the old style Konis? I think the new style Konis are not owner adjustable.

Koni makes many different shocks, the ones that Cummins broke were FSD's but they no longer make them for our rig, so the adjustable ones I bought ARE the latest "new style".
Koni doesn't make FSD's for some front axles, like our Reyco Granning 20,000# unit, so all we can get is the adjustable ones.

[Stretch]

Mr D, you had more than your share of problems with Cummins..... Which branch was it? In CA?


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[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Stretch

Mr D, you had more than your share of problems with Cummins..... Which branch was it? In CA?


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No, Cummins NW in Portland OR. I was warned by a friend not to go there but that was after the fact!
Yep, broken bedroom door, broken shock and then the, what I think, were overcharges on the rebuild, plus scratches and dings to the woodwork that I'm not even asking for anything on. Just took some touch up and filler. The door took a little more work though.
Our salesman says he's seen the shocks bend and break like that if the rig is driven over a curb or other obstruction with the tag up. Causes the whole rig to go side to side and if the door isn't locked in place it breaks it too. All of which is exactly what happened.

[Willie300s]

Originally Posted by William Willard

Willie300s -- Bill, I, with alot of help from the Danes, replaced the 10 shocks on our 42ft Camelot -- It uses the pin & eye shocks -- In some cases, we just slipped the dust coved down, & used vise grips on the top part of the rod -- Then slipped the cover back n place -- I used the comfort Bilsteins, & they furnish a good ride -- I paid about $80.00 each -- Bill Willard

William
Thanks for the "slip the dust cover down" idea. I'll try that if I ever get the notion to replace the rear shocks. That tip would have saved me about 4 hours replacing the 4 front shocks.

[98Dynasty]

I am getting ready to replace the 4 front shocks with Bilstein Comfort on my 1998 Dynasty. Any suggestions as to how the coach should be i.e airbags filled or dumped, jacks up or down?

[Willie300s]

I did mine aired up with the jacks up. Even then you will have to compress the new shocks to get the bottom thru bolt in. I used a small hydraulic jack to compress the shocks.

[YC1]

If you are careful, quick, and lucky, you can connect the bottom bolt first and then cut the retaining strap which will let the shock extend tightly into the top mount. It can be a real pain to tighten the top. I used a small vice grip to hold mine.

[castrol]

Originally Posted by YC1

If you are careful, quick, and lucky, you can connect the bottom bolt first and then cut the retaining strap which will let the shock extend tightly into the top mount. It can be a real pain to tighten the top. I used a small vice grip to hold mine.

This is what I do on all of my vehicles. I've never attempted it on a motorhome though. You just gotta be ready and timing has to be right!