New Shocks

rockintom · 10-14-2007, 05:27 AM

I almost forgot to report this event! Our 05 FLR now has about 32,000 miles on it and I've been noticing the trailer slow to recover from a bump or dip in the road. This is something that just has been getting progressively worse.

Anyway I ordered and installed new shocks. I elected to go with a Monroe Gas Magnum RV shock part # 555001 (cross references over from the original part #). The replacement shock is a dual action shock verses the original single action China made shock. My originals were not leaking, but weak as he**. Boy does it work alot better. Just FYI!

rockintom · 10-14-2007, 05:27 AM

I almost forgot to report this event! Our 05 FLR now has about 32,000 miles on it and I've been noticing the trailer slow to recover from a bump or dip in the road. This is something that just has been getting progressively worse.

Anyway I ordered and installed new shocks. I elected to go with a Monroe Gas Magnum RV shock part # 555001 (cross references over from the original part #). The replacement shock is a dual action shock verses the original single action China made shock. My originals were not leaking, but weak as he**. Boy does it work alot better. Just FYI!

ChiefJohn · 10-14-2007, 01:13 PM

Thanks Tom -- I'll be ordering a set of these shocks. Monroe Gas Magnum RV

Workshop · 10-14-2007, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the update Tom. They do loooook a bit beefer that those I got from China. I wonder how they hold up to hub rub? I'll add/update this to my parts listing for future needs. Have a safe trip and hope the battery problem is resolved.

Chris

MakinSmoke · 10-16-2007, 12:07 AM

Miss Jo followed me from N Ga to Key West. During the trip she would tell me on the radio that the trailer seemed to bounce more entering and exiting bridges than other trailers. We have a rear kitchen and have always had some jumbling when we open cabinet doors after moving.

Now, without laughing,

will one of you tell me where these shocks are and if they could possibly be worn out even though this coach has less than 10,000 miles on it.

Workshop · 10-16-2007, 01:38 AM

Good morning,

Do they make you get up that early down there to pull weed?

You have four shocks on your unit. One at each wheel location, mounted on the inside of each axle spring. They are attached to a "tie plate" mounted to the bottom of each spring and to a bracket welded to the frame. Mine have a nut on top and bottom. Easy to replace, have to remove the wheel on mine, believe you could replace fom under the unit. Tom will know for sure.

I don't know the lifespan, but after just replacing mine, "Shock Rub" topic, with Dexter parts there is a difference in construction and operation. The double action should help. Sure Tom can give you a good report on the Monroes he just installed.

Hope something helped,
Chris

rockintom · 10-16-2007, 02:27 AM

Virg,

How was your first day of work in your ghetto park?

The shocks are really shock absorbers (just like on a car). The shocks dampen the up and down movement of the rig on the suspension as you hit deviations or bumbs in the road.

Your shocks may not be worn out, just have very minimum dampening qualities by design (IMO). The original shocks have a single action (meaning it dampens only in one direction-only when the vehicle rises). The 4 replacement shocks that I put on have more dampening resistance and has a dual action design, meaning that it dampens in both directions, when the rig rises and lowers. This makes the vehicle recover more quickly from the up and down movement that Jo is seeing when she's viewing the rig from behind.

Replacement of the shocks is a "gravy" job. I did it in a Walmart parking lot with a 9/16" boxend wrench, a bottle jack, and 3 beers (have to keep up this trailer trash image!). Took about 1 hour 'cause I had to take two breaks and tinkle in the bushes!

Hope all this verbal spewage has not confused you more!

P.S. I'll try not be so long winded in the future....I know you have to get to work!

maverik/gypsy · 10-16-2007, 06:15 PM

Tom, I noticed that you edited your post---maybe chief should have instead---"Tinkling in the bushes"

Now on the normal side,

Are the shocks under pressure when attached? Maverik

rockintom · 10-16-2007, 06:37 PM

The gas filled shocks extend to the full up position at rest. Tom

MakinSmoke · 10-17-2007, 12:43 AM

Chris,
They don't make me get up early but the rascals do make me pull weeds. Lots of weeds. I'm off today and get to play.

Tom,
Thanks for the great explanation. Maybe I'll try the exchange myself. I'm going to crawl up under there and take a look.

maverik/gypsy · 10-17-2007, 06:03 PM

Tom, thanks for the clarification and I am happy

to hear Virgil will try it since I have a unit like his. Another clarification. Since I am

Does the replacement procedure require "T----ing in the B---es?" No offense anyone, just wanting to make sure Virgil gets it right so he can instruct me.

Maverik