Broken Shock Mount and....

[Big B]

Rockin, would those shocks be the right ones for a 36 GKE? Also what's your thought about Center Point Suspension

[rockintom]

Originally Posted by Big B

Rockin, would those shocks be the right ones for a 36 GKE? Also what's your thought about Center Point Suspension

Yep. As far as I know that fits all Excels. I'm fine with the CPS, but have no real world experience. drfife is the guy who I know has one. I believe he is happy with his. I'm sure he'll chime in here. He uses the top-of-the-line air bag model. I don't have one due the cost. rockin'

[gdphillipsrv]

Originally Posted by rockintom

Rob,

Gotta agree with chief on this one. You know ol' Doc has had like 3 shock mounts break.
It's possible that the shock mount broke first and then you hit a big something in the road and it stressed the wrap. Just a guess of course. And another observation from the pix was that appears you ain't greasing the shackles much. Those areas are dryer than a popcorn fart! Dexter says every 3K miles.

Anyhow here's my notes on Monroe gas filled double action shocks.
Original Dexter # 052-003-00
Monroe Gas filled # 555001

OK guys, stupid question...I'm going to order and replace the shocks before my first trip this season. Do I need 2 or 4? My 2013 34IKE Limited is in storage right now, so I can't check.

Thanks, Gordon

[rockintom]

Originally Posted by gdphillipsrv

OK guys, stupid question...I'm going to order and replace the shocks before my first trip this season. Do I need 2 or 4? My 2013 34IKE Limited is in storage right now, so I can't check.

Thanks, Gordon

Gordy,

You'll need 4. Easy to install, I replaced mine in a Walmart parking lot on a Sunday morning before church!!!! I'd tell ya I did a LOF on Tug at the same time.....but my reputation is bad enough as it is! Now, back to happy hour! rockin'

[Rob17]

Originally Posted by rockintom

Regarding the grease job, just a reminder to wipe off the head of the zerk before trying to grease. Don't want to push the grit and grime into the joint. And if you have a hard time getting the joint to take grease, unload the suspension and try again. I simply use the hydraulic jacks....works like a charm.

Lubed the wet bolts today. I was surprised by how much I had pump in before any squeezed out. I did have one that wouldn't take any grease. I unloaded that side, gotta love hydraulics, and that took care of it.

[rockintom]

Originally Posted by Rob17

Lubed the wet bolts today. I was surprised by how much I had pump in before any squeezed out. I did have one that wouldn't take any grease. I unloaded that side, gotta love hydraulics, and that took care of it.

I'm proud of ya Rob....you da man! Or as we say down south...."ya dun good"!!! rockin'

[Rob17]

Originally Posted by rockintom

Gordy,

You'll need 4. Easy to install,

When you installed yours Tom did you have to remove the wheels?

[rockintom]

No, but you bring up a good point. My shocks are mounted from the inside and I think most of the later models I've seen them mounted from the outside (just behind the wheels). I wouldn't think you hafta take the wheels off to do the job, but it may make it easier. Hopefully someone who's actually done the shock replacement on the outside will chime in. I never could figure it out, some early years of Excel were on the outside and then they switched to inside and now later models are on the outside again. Whatever......it keeps us hopping! rockin'

[Rob17]

That's why I asked, mine are mounted on the outside.

[Rob17]

Originally Posted by chief02

Rob..looks like the suspension took a big hit to cause that damage..it looks like you have the 7 leaf 4k springs.

Bill, based on the replacement spring Dexter sent, it's a 3500# spring PN: 072-027-00.

[Rob17]

Originally Posted by Rob17

Then we talked about the plate and it turns out that Dexter does put the tab on the plate.

Well shoot! Got the plate and spring today and the plate does not have the tab for the shock. For the life of me I don't know why PI mounted the shock on the outside of the frame. If it were mounted on the inside it looks like they could use the existing holes in the plate for the lower shock mount and make the shock easier to replace.

[dw8ite]

Rob - Just a tip here. When I changed my shocks out I found the top and bottom connections so corroded (from highway salt) that the nuts would not come off. I fought with the first one until I twisted the 1/4" stud in half. Then I got smart and used my offset grinder to easily remove the remaining ones. Hope yours are easier.

[Rob17]

Thanks Don, good tip.

[Rob17]

Replaced the shocks on the street side yesterday. Did notice some staining on the rear cap. Any thoughts?