Community Forums

Foulwx · 08-05-2014, 04:16 PM

Had to cancel a trip this week because on our first fill up I found the coach leaning to the side and the lower spring on the right rear of our 2003 W22 was broken. Limped home carefully and now I've got to get it fixed. I have a couple of options around Allentown, PA. There is a good spring shop called Stengel Bros, and also Tom Schaefer's RV is/was a Workhorse repair center.

My questions for the group include: Should I just get a new spring replaced, or replace the whole side since the good spring was overloaded? Or, in order to keep it balanced, do I need to have both sides replaced? Are there any disadvantages to not having an exact Workhorse replacement?

As far as shocks go, would the lack of a spring hurt the shocks? I think I have the original Bilstein shocks on the coach with 51K miles on it now. I bought it 4 years ago, so I'm guessing that the shocks are original.

I'm just looking for suggestions since I obviously don't want to waste money, but I do want the Bounder to be safe. Thanks in advance for the comments.

Glenn
2003 Bounder 35R

Grandpere · 08-05-2014, 05:03 PM

Go with the spring shop, they will know what to do to keep the mh level, because fixing one side and doing nothing to the other is going to make the mh lopsided.

I would have new shocks installed at the same time, they have everything apart so now is the time to replace them and if you have airbags they may need to be replaced so have them checked also.

Arch Hoagland · 08-05-2014, 09:12 PM

I'd go with the advice of the spring shop. Years ago I had a weak spring on a pickup truck. The shop recommended replacing both sides to prevent leaning.

Don't know what to say about the shocks.

DieselTech39 · 08-05-2014, 09:18 PM

Glenn, Take it to the spring shop and get their opinion of what you should do as far as a heavier spring on that side. Have them check the other side to make sure there's no cracks. I replaced one spring at a time so you should be good to go with just the one. As far as shocks...could have bent one but the spring shop should be able to check them for you. Unless you have a lot of miles on them (shocks), may be time to replace?? Best of luck.

Foulwx · 08-06-2014, 06:53 PM

It looks like I will replace both springs next week and take a look at the shocks when they are off. I was quoted $525 in parts for each side. I have no idea whether that is a good price or not, but my choices are limited. I will probably delay the shocks unless absolutely necessary due to the cost. I'll update when I have more info.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Foulwx · 08-11-2014, 06:15 PM

Just following up with my broken rear leaf spring problem. Today I took the Bounder into Stengel Bros in Allentown, PA and had both sides replaced. The springs were $517 each, and then of course labor was quite a bit also. They said the shocks still were good so I'm delaying those for awhile. It rode quite nice on the way home. The grandkids in the back on the bed seemed to like it.

Thanks again for the replies...this is a great forum.

Glenn