Do I Need New Shocks?

[golden]

I have Monroe shocks on my 2004 WH that are about five years old. When Oemy was underneath the chassis he mentioned that he was glad he didn't have to take them off as they were rusted. I hadn't even considered that I might need new ones because I really hadn't noticed a degradation in the ride. Before I could ask him if he felt I needed new ones we got off that subject and never returned to it. It was his fault because at about that time he started talking about BBQ and got me distracted!

What determines when new shocks are needed other than the ride going south? Other than Koni, what are good shocks to consider when replacing current set?

[MegaRoadie]

Golden:

How long ya intend to keep the coach ??/ OMG did someone say BBQ !!!! Byeeeeee

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden What determines when new shocks are needed other than the ride going south? Other than Koni, what are good shocks to consider when replacing current set?

You can go to an lower cost aftermarket Bilstein or on the high side, Roadking.

The Koni FSD has worked well for us over the past 4 or so years.

[JonBrazel]

Try the Koni's...you won't be disappointed! Plus you have your own personal mechanic (Dale) to install them! LOL!

[Davel]

I've never regretted the expense of the Koni FSD's. They reduced the interior rattles from RR tracks and bumpy streets a tremendous amount, while making the coach handle great. I would start dousing the bolts with penetrating oil before the removal of the rusted bolts. It helps to also give the bolts a couple of raps with a small hammer at the same time.

Good luck,
Dave

[1ciderdog]

How many miles on the current shocks? I put new Koni's on mine at about 34K miles. The ride was greatly improved.

[Uber_D]

For you experienced shock switcher outers out there... Did you jack up and remove tire or is there enough room to leave on the ground. Allegro bus freightliner xc chassis.

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegaRoadie Golden: How long ya intend to keep the coach ??/ OMG did someone say BBQ !!!! Byeeeeee

Either until I sell it - not likely in today's market - or until it wears out.

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonBrazel Try the Koni's...you won't be disappointed! Plus you have your own personal mechanic (Dale) to install them! LOL!

I don't think that Dale would want to attack the rust. There may not be enough penetrating oil in the world to loosen the rust. Anyway, he put the thought in my mind about shocks, I'm just trying to determine whether I really need them. Koni's aren't exactly cheap as you well know.

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog How many miles on the current shocks? I put new Koni's on mine at about 34K miles. The ride was greatly improved.

They have about 20K miles.

[1ciderdog]

Denny - You'd think at 20K miles they would still be good but???

Uber_D - I did not remove the tires when I replaced the shocks on my XC chassis. I did turn the steering wheel to turn the tires for better access. One of the problems is/was Freightliner installed the top bolt - then Winnebago put the body on. The top bolts on the front shocks could not be removed and I had to cut the head off. I replaced the cut bolts with grade 8 bolts. The nuts were very tight and it did take effort to break them loose but there was not a lot of rust or corrosion.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uber_D For you experienced shock switcher outers out there... Did you jack up and remove tire or is there enough room to leave on the ground. Allegro bus Freightliner XC chassis.

I'm not sure about your XC but my W22's shocks were removed and installed on a drive-on lift. No need to remove the tires.

[wa8yxm]

If you are driving a road that is "Smooth as glass" (Heck, I've driven on Glass road) you won't find out much about your shocks.

But when you hit the Washboard Highway... Good shocks it's a rough ride, things shake like you'd expect, but the coach goes straight.

Bad shocks... I hope you have good reflexes and do not over compensate cause that puppy is going to be all over the road.


If you want to know how I know this......

It was a car, not a motor home, and a few pot holes dang near caused me to loose it.. Next day (I was on my way to work at the time) New shocks... From that day till last spring I never had a control problem with that car again... And last spring the cost of repair (major engine) exceeded value of car by a factor of at least 2x so it was off to the recyclers.


Anybody got a towable car for sale very very cheap? (Moderators... This is not a serious request, though I could use one I doubt I'd find one I could afford here)

[Uber_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog Denny - You'd think at 20K miles they would still be good but??? Uber_D - I did not remove the tires when I replaced the shocks on my XC chassis. I did turn the steering wheel to turn the tires for better access. One of the problems is/was Freightliner installed the top bolt - then Winnebago put the body on. The top bolts on the front shocks could not be removed and I had to cut the head off. I replaced the cut bolts with grade 8 bolts. The nuts were very tight and it did take effort to break them loose but there was not a lot of rust or corrosion.

Thanks for the heads up I'll get my cutting tools dusted off! And stop at the hardware store BEFORE I dig in. Did you jack/brace the frame at all? Or just turn the wheel and go to work. I assume the shocks are not load bearing when it is just sitting there, but I am new to this working on big rig stuff. Seems like it is a lot easier than working on cars.