DIY Koni Install/Questions

[Pubtym]

I have done shock changes on my autos and pickup trucks and I do know a left handed wrench from a right handed one. I have the 1/2 inch impact wrench/gun and sockets and a full set of crows feet, open end wrenchs and 1/2 inch torque wrench-150# and band aids for knuckles. The rig is parked on a level concrete pad beside the house. Fire truck and emergency ambulance just around the corner. I only drink beer after DIY projects are finished.

With that said..I am considering changing out OE shocks to new set of front and rear FSD Konis on an Itasca 2006 W22.

Questions:

a. Do job with auto jacks up or down?

b. Does it matter doing either front or rear sets first ?

c. Technique for shocks/Koni installation. Since they do not have a compressed gas charge.. compression-extension seems not to be an issue on mounting the shock on frame brackets. Am I correct here?

d. Unfasten top shock mounts first..or bottom?

e. Install top shock mount first or bottom?

f. Upper and lower bolt torque requirements?
(dry threads)?

g. Other tips?

Thanks

[Pubtym]

I have done shock changes on my autos and pickup trucks and I do know a left handed wrench from a right handed one. I have the 1/2 inch impact wrench/gun and sockets and a full set of crows feet, open end wrenchs and 1/2 inch torque wrench-150# and band aids for knuckles. The rig is parked on a level concrete pad beside the house. Fire truck and emergency ambulance just around the corner. I only drink beer after DIY projects are finished.

With that said..I am considering changing out OE shocks to new set of front and rear FSD Konis on an Itasca 2006 W22.

Questions:

a. Do job with auto jacks up or down?

b. Does it matter doing either front or rear sets first ?

c. Technique for shocks/Koni installation. Since they do not have a compressed gas charge.. compression-extension seems not to be an issue on mounting the shock on frame brackets. Am I correct here?

d. Unfasten top shock mounts first..or bottom?

e. Install top shock mount first or bottom?

f. Upper and lower bolt torque requirements?
(dry threads)?

g. Other tips?

Thanks

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pubtym:
Questions:
a. Do job with auto jacks up or down? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Jacks Up<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">b. Does it matter doing either front or rear sets first ? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>No<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">c. Technique for shocks/Koni installation. Since they do not have a compressed gas charge.. compression-extension seems not to be an issue on mounting the shock on frame brackets. Am I correct here? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The shocks are not bound. All you need to do is stretch and install.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">d. Unfasten top shock mounts first..or bottom? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Doesn't matter.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">e. Install top shock mount first or bottom? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I might be tempted to install the top first so I can yank on the shock downward to make the bolt alignment easier.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">f. Upper and lower bolt torque requirements? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The shop that installed mine used a 1/2" drive impact wrench and let er' rip. I'm not exactly sure what the torque is but I'll make a note to find out.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">(dry threads)? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">g. Other tips? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Face the Koni tags outward so you can show them off to your friends.

1st post responded to using my brand new Verizon RevA USB727 Air Card. Totally awesome speed in a fringe area. Union City, IN. #16633

[Pubtym]

Thanks. Nice new gadget there. I'll await your torque numbers...since they sometimes do not come on install instructions and WorkHorse numbers would be preferred.

[LeeB]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DriVer:


1st post responded to using my brand new Verizon RevA USB727 Air Card. Totally awesome speed in a fringe area. Union City, IN. #16633 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nice job "Sparky"

[DriVer]

I am pleased to report that I have officially placed my V-640 Verizon Express Card Bus V640 EVDO Modem "Out of Commission".

My new USB727 has a bay that will allow me to plug in a 4GB MicroSD chip in the USB Modem. Awesome! I can download files directly to my drive C: or my USB EVDO/MicroSD chip. Did I forget to mention - awesome!

[Pubtym]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DriVer:
I am pleased to report that I have officially placed my V-640 Verizon Express Card Bus V640 EVDO Modem "Out of Commission".

My new USB727 has a bay that will allow me to plug in a 4GB MicroSD chip in the USB Modem. Awesome! I can download files directly to my drive C: or my USB EVDO/MicroSD chip. Did I forget to mention - awesome! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

"Sparky", Can our assumption be all new stuff has #8 copper wire ground attached to 10" iron nail pounded 6 " into the dirt?

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pubtym:
"Sparky", Can our assumption be all new stuff has #8 copper wire ground attached to 10" iron nail pounded 6 " into the dirt? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Not at all paranoid at this point "because" how many times can I expect in one lifetime to be struck by lightning a 2nd time.

We have a new (replacement) 50A Surge Guard back on-line and we're waiting for the next one. Colleen on the other hand is not so cavalier about our encounter.

[Pubtym]

Project update. Got under coach with impact wrench etc..No luck...

Project aborted. I'll let Sioux Falls local outstanding Workhorse Service center do it right..

[03HRVacationer]

Pubtym,

Deep 1 1/8 socket and a 3' breaker bar. The street side front gave me a hard time, salt from the center of the road most likly, WD and heat was the only way to free it up, the spacers were frose to the bolt so they had to be saws alled off, the passanger front was off and back on in 5 minutes total, the rears were not bad but they did need the breaker bar to free up.

I did have the jacks down to give me a little more room to work.

good luck

[Full-Timers]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pubtym:
Project update. Got under coach with impact wrench etc..No luck...

Project aborted. I'll let Sioux Falls local outstanding Workhorse Service center do it right.. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Pubtym, Take it to The Truck Center in Sioux Falls. The best in town!

[Pubtym]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Full-Timers:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pubtym:
Project update. Got under coach with impact wrench etc..No luck...

Project aborted. I'll let Sioux Falls local outstanding Workhorse Service center do it right.. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Pubtym, Take it to The Truck Center in Sioux Falls. The best in town! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I always take my coach there..they are the greatest...Frank @ Service..Rod @ Owner. They are Workhorse Center folks.

[hwybnb]

I waas able to install the rears, which had the original factory-installed black shocks (ring top, pin bottom) with no problem. I needed a deep-wall 15/16" socket and a 15/16" open end wrench for the bottom bolt and a deep-wall 1 1/8" socket for the top.

The fronts were a different story. They had been upgraded to Monroes by my local service center and were way over-tightened. I could not break them loose and had to take it back to them to finish the job.

[Pueblo Dave]

Sounds like a do-able driveway job. Now, the big question.........was it worth it? How would you (or anybody out there) compare the Konis to what you had? How about on a scale of 1 to 10 for before and after?
Thanks, Pueblo Dave