Koni shocks and sway bar?

[supercub]

From what I've read, Koni shocks are the way to go. Where's the best place to buy them? Do you have a part number? I have an 03 32V, I believe it's a W-20 chasis. Also, if you read my previous post, it's taking constant corrections on the steering, so what do I need to do? a sway bar? if so, front of rear? Thanks for the info. Also, what's the best one to buy? Can it be installed my myself? One more thing, any trick to change the shocks myself? Thanks again.
Brian

[supercub]

From what I've read, Koni shocks are the way to go. Where's the best place to buy them? Do you have a part number? I have an 03 32V, I believe it's a W-20 chasis. Also, if you read my previous post, it's taking constant corrections on the steering, so what do I need to do? a sway bar? if so, front of rear? Thanks for the info. Also, what's the best one to buy? Can it be installed my myself? One more thing, any trick to change the shocks myself? Thanks again.
Brian

[oemtech]

Koni FSD front 8805-1001 rear 8805-1002/1003
Check with Mike Bronzini at Brazels RV (1-877-786-1576) for price. Installing them yourself is doable if you have a big 1/2 air impact. Otherwise it is a real PAIN do to the size of the nuts and bots used.

If you have to correct the steering because of 18 wheeler push I would look at a rear trac bar to start with. Again check with Mike at Brazels RV.

[M&EM]

Supercub,
At 6000 miles I had endured enough of the annoying porposing and steering correction. I started with a FEA where the toe-in was way off.
Next, Bilsteins were added, originally to address porposing issues. WH took care of the fronts and I added the rears. Steering correction was addressed with rear then front track bars. Noticeable improvements occurred at each stage, but I think the rear may have been more noticeable.
Oh, I also added a rear IPD sway bar.

Steering correction issues were better but remained unsatisfactory.
Now , 3 years later 45000m I have decided to have another FEA done along with other repairs and maintenance at Brazel's during our trek to the NW.
The thrust angle of the rear axle was found to be out of spec as well as the front axle caster angle. These were corrected. Also added a SafTPlus.
Finally one of the Bilstein rear shocks was leaking so I opted at this point to replace all the shocks with Koni FSDs.

I have only driven about 60 miles since then. But I think I have now achieved a satisfactory and comfortable driving motorhome. Both steering correction and side wind effects seem much more manageable.

I would certainly recommend the complete alignment check. I have never before considered the effects of the rear axle alignment. Although the Bilsteins eliminated the porposing completly and seemed to give a good ride, harshness on some roads was more then I cared for. The Koni FSD have given the ride a much nicer feel. Particularly noticed when crossing railroad tracks as an example. I think the SafTPlus is also helping but at this point hard to sense. Need more miles.

The rear track bar makes sense but would not be my first fix next time.
I did not notice significant improvement in driveway roll by the addition of the sway bar.

Hope this helps.

Marty

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by M&EM:
I think the SafTsteer is also helping but at this point hard to sense. Need more miles. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Marty, Are you running a Steer Safe or a Safe-T-Plus? It seems that your description is combining both products into one word.

The Steer Safe is an yellow assortment of bars and springs externally mounted at each wheel. The STP is a self contained cylinder looking device most likely blue in color that is mounted behind the tie rod.

[FrankO]

Purchased a lightly used 2006 Itasca Sunrise 35A that had a little over 7K miles. I was going to some suspension upgrades based on info read on the forums. To my surprise the upgrades were already there, F/R Sway Bars, Davis TracBar and a Rear TracBar that I do not remember the name of. The MH handled and road great but did have harshness on choppy roads. It had Bilsteins on the F/R, so I bought/installed Koni FSDs which was the final touch. It now rides and handles great.
Bought my Konis from www.shox.com for $484 with free shipping.
Frank

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FrankO:
Bought my Konis from www.shox.com for $484 with free shipping. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Koni Shock absorbers are also available from our sponsor Brazel's RV Performance. Call Mike for a price quote.

[M&EM]

Safe T Plus is what I meant.
Too much Oxygen up here in Wa.
Marty