Diagnose shocks??

[bruceh]

I purchased Koni FSDs from Henderson's at an Escapees rally and installed them myself. At first, the ride was vastly improved and well controlled. Two years later, it is less good.

They have a lifetime warranty.

My question is, just how do you diagnose shocks. I don't want to drive 1000 miles to have Henderson's check them out. Can you just go to any Koni dealer?

With a car, you can push down and watch for bounce. This won't work with an RV.

[bruceh]

I purchased Koni FSDs from Henderson's at an Escapees rally and installed them myself. At first, the ride was vastly improved and well controlled. Two years later, it is less good.

They have a lifetime warranty.

My question is, just how do you diagnose shocks. I don't want to drive 1000 miles to have Henderson's check them out. Can you just go to any Koni dealer?

With a car, you can push down and watch for bounce. This won't work with an RV.

[JonBrazel]

You should be able to take it to any Koni dealer to be checked. When you say the ride is "less good," what exactly has suffered in your ride? More sway, porpoising, rougher, etc..?

[bruceh]

Porpoising is my prime problem. So many California roads are so bad. It is not as bad as when I had the OEM shocks but not as good as when I first put the Koni's on.

I assume the it has to be an RV Koni dealer?

Thanks,

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bruceh:
I assume the it has to be an RV Koni dealer?
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>If you are out in Redlands perhaps you can stop in and see Keith and the boys. they should be able to walk you through your Koni concern.

Koni shocks have a lifetime warranty.

[bruceh]

Redlands is about 300 miles from me, ergo a 600 mile round trip or about $350 in gas.

I was looking at the Koni web site for something in Fresno (about 30 miles) and saw nothing.

The lifetime warranty is only good if you can figure out a way to use it. I am not positive that the shocks are the problem but it is my prime suspect.

[JonBrazel]

I know it's still a bit out of the way, but Cummins West in Bakersfield is a Koni RV dealer. About 150 miles from you.

BTW, Koni does have 13 dealers in your state...you just happen to live far away from all of them!!!

[bruceh]

I saw Cummins West on the Koni web site. I guess that they are the closest. I have to go through Bakersfield a the end of Oct on my way to Death Valley. May try to set something up then.

Meanwhile, can anybody give me a hint on how to diagnose the shocks myself? Maybe it is not the shocks and the springs are getting tired, is this possible? Anything else that I should check?

[Pubtym]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bruceh:
I saw Cummins West on the Koni web site. I guess that they are the closest. I have to go through Bakersfield a the end of Oct on my way to Death Valley. May try to set something up then.

Meanwhile, can anybody give me a hint on how to diagnose the shocks myself? Maybe it is not the shocks and the springs are getting tired, is this possible? Anything else that I should check? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Have any of them leaked oil?

Is any one of them noticeably damaged-dented-torsioned?

Have you checked your tire press recently?

Have you changed your load configuration in the last 6 months? Are you now carrying less or more fresh water? Have you confirmed your tanks dumped last time you stopped for dump?

Have you lubed your front suspension recently?

Did you change your driver seat placement so as to false sense you are bouncing more?

DID YOU INSTALL THEM YOURSELF CORRECTLY?

Are they the correct set for your rig?

[bruceh]

Have any of them leaked oil?

No, just checked and they are tight.

Is any one of them noticeably damaged-dented-torsioned?

No

Have you checked your tire press recently?

Yes, all at 90 psi. I have replaced my rear tires in the last three weeks. I went from Michelin XRV to XZE and the porpoising didn't change.

Have you changed your load configuration in the last 6 months? Are you now carrying less or more fresh water? Have you confirmed your tanks dumped last time you stopped for dump?

Nope, just the same.

Have you lubed your front suspension recently?

Yes.

Did you change your driver seat placement so as to false sense you are bouncing more?

No.

DID YOU INSTALL THEM YOURSELF CORRECTLY?

There really isn't any way to install these shocks incorrectly. They worked great for the first 18 months with some degradation over the last 6 months.

Are they the correct set for your rig?

Yes, double checked.[/QUOTE]

Keep in mind that I am not saying that the shocks are bad but I have to be suspicious. Totally open to other culprits.

I normally tow an enclosed trailer with a tongue weight of about 350 lbs, been doing this for years.

[Pubtym]

How does it ride without the trailer?

What about medication? Have you started taking anything new that might have motion side effects?

[bruceh]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pubtym:
How does it ride without the trailer?

Less porpoising, but I rarely drive it without either the trailer or my Jeep in tow. That was why I was wondering about springs getting tired.

What about medication? Have you started taking anything new that might have motion side effects? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Interesting thought, but no medication.

[Pubtym]

Total miles on rig?

Rig Weight check recently? How close are you to maximum gross weight?

[bruceh]

Just over 40K.

I had the four corner weight done about 4 years ago and was about 500 pounds under GVW with good balance. If anything, it is a bit lighter now since we are not full timing.