Adjusted Ride Height Today

[Diplomat Don]

I've been reading the posts on here and the Monaco Owner's Forum the last few days and finally decided to jump in and check my ride height. I checked my manual for the measurements and then verified them with Monaco. The front is 8 5/16" and the rear is 8 13/16". This measurement is taken at the metal plates at the top and bottom of the air bag. You measure from the bottom of the top plate to the top of the bottom plate.

I started the coach and allowed it to run until the bags were full and the air tank pressure release opened. I was able to measure the bags without going under the coach. The hardest part is finding something that can measure them. You can't just use a tape because of the bulge in the bags. I tried a couple of things, but found that the pistol grip wood clamps Clamp worked great when you remove the protective caps from the jaws. I was able to set the gap between the jaws and then just hold it up to the airbags.

My front bags were at 7 1/2" and the rears were at 9 1/2". I was a little leary of crawling under the coach and messing with the air bag height for fear of it coming down on me. I crawled under the front and positioned my self in an open area in case the coach did come down.

I loosened the 7/16" lock nut on the upper arm and moved the plastic body, attached to the arm, upward. You'll hear the bags start to inflate and I watched as they increased about an inch and then tghtened the nut. I did this a coupe of times until the measurement was correct. I was able to reach over with the wood clamp from under the coach and check the measurment. (I kept double cheking the wood clamp to make sure it was still set correctly).

I moved to the rears and set both of them in same manner. I found my fear of being under the coach was unwarranted. The coach movement was minor and easily controlled at the adjustment valve.

I dumped the air out of the coach and re-checked the settings. I was off by a quater inch at the front and reset it.

I'll drive it tomorrow and then check the settings one more time.

I know this was long, but I hope it helps someone else feel more confident about adjusting their own ride height. It was a fairly simple job. The only problem I had was getting my chunky butt and waist under the coach.

[Diplomat Don]

I've been reading the posts on here and the Monaco Owner's Forum the last few days and finally decided to jump in and check my ride height. I checked my manual for the measurements and then verified them with Monaco. The front is 8 5/16" and the rear is 8 13/16". This measurement is taken at the metal plates at the top and bottom of the air bag. You measure from the bottom of the top plate to the top of the bottom plate.

I started the coach and allowed it to run until the bags were full and the air tank pressure release opened. I was able to measure the bags without going under the coach. The hardest part is finding something that can measure them. You can't just use a tape because of the bulge in the bags. I tried a couple of things, but found that the pistol grip wood clamps Clamp worked great when you remove the protective caps from the jaws. I was able to set the gap between the jaws and then just hold it up to the airbags.

My front bags were at 7 1/2" and the rears were at 9 1/2". I was a little leary of crawling under the coach and messing with the air bag height for fear of it coming down on me. I crawled under the front and positioned my self in an open area in case the coach did come down.

I loosened the 7/16" lock nut on the upper arm and moved the plastic body, attached to the arm, upward. You'll hear the bags start to inflate and I watched as they increased about an inch and then tghtened the nut. I did this a coupe of times until the measurement was correct. I was able to reach over with the wood clamp from under the coach and check the measurment. (I kept double cheking the wood clamp to make sure it was still set correctly).

I moved to the rears and set both of them in same manner. I found my fear of being under the coach was unwarranted. The coach movement was minor and easily controlled at the adjustment valve.

I dumped the air out of the coach and re-checked the settings. I was off by a quater inch at the front and reset it.

I'll drive it tomorrow and then check the settings one more time.

I know this was long, but I hope it helps someone else feel more confident about adjusting their own ride height. It was a fairly simple job. The only problem I had was getting my chunky butt and waist under the coach.

[beaverjim]

don, great post! just curious about your hight specs? just e mailed mcctech 2 days ago and he responded with different specs. 9 1/4 front and 10 1/2 rears these coaches share the same rr8r chassis. im wondering about length of chassis or model year making the difference. i'll contact them on monday and see what they say!
hope your coach handles great after adjustments.
jim

[Diplomat Don]

beaverjim.....Monaco's answer was the same as my manual. I test drove it today for a short distance and it seems to track better with less steering imput. It's hard to know if there is a big difference.

We're heading to Quartzsite Thursday so I'll see if there are dramatic changes.

[ronboc]

Great job, Don. Hope it rides that much better.

And it'd be interesting to hear what Monaco says, Jim.

Thanks

[Sixpack98]

Don,
Great precision instrument to measure the bag height. Good idea. I used 2 tri squares that achieved the same thing but I'll bet yours was easier. I think you will be amazed with the difference in ride and handling quality. Especially the handling. I had my coach alignment checked and adjusted but the ride height was at least as good and coupled with the ride much more bang for the buck.

[quikduk]

Great job!

This made the most notable improvement in our GS's ride and removed the driveshaft vibration we felt.

Ken

[beaverjim]

contacted mcctech again this time by phone. ride hight came out to be 9 1/4 front 10 1/2 rear 02 beaver santiam 40 rr8r chassis. jim

[Diplomat Don]

Took the coach to Quartzsite this weekend (286 miles). The coach took less steering input and rode smoother. The only thing I can think of is that the weight is more evenly distributed and the coach rides like it was designed. Mine was an inch low in the front and an inch high in the rear.

[Sixpack98]

Don,
Did you notice any difference in height between the 2 bags per wheel position? When I measured my a year or so ago it was high in the rear and low in the front, about an inch or so. I noticed there was a difference between the 2 bags for the same wheel position especially the rear bags. Since I was taking the coach in for warranty I had them adjust the air bags. Today I noticed that the coach did not seem level from side to side and measuring the bags confirmed it so, based on your experience, will attempt to bring it into spec. The coach is also high again in the front.

mark

[Diplomat Don]

I wondered how all four bags on the front and the two on each rear would measure out. The rears measured the same on both sides and the four fronts measured the same with the excepton of the left front that was about 1/8" - 1/4" different.

[Sixpack98]

Don,
The rear bags are 5/16 difference between the pair. My front bags are about 5/16" higher than they should be and I suspect that could have contributed to the rear bag difference. Certainly not all of it but possibly some of it.

mark

[walt2137]

Don's ride height info is correct for the 05 Dip, according to Monacos info sheet is the same for the 2000 to 01 dip, and the 02 to the 04 dip, then 05 and a slight change in 06 dips.
this is the procedure I used on my old 99 dip.

Walt

Note in 2006 Monaco changed to measuring the distance from the bottom of the top plate of the air bags to the top of the bottom plate.This is for the 98 thru 99 dip ,The old procedure is easier for me because of the double donut type air bags.You will need to find a level concrete or asphalt pad before you start

using 1/2" wood dial cut at 8" and 10" and coach level with safety stands and chassis aired up. adjust front with the 8" wood dial from top of H frame (this measurement is to be taken at the back of the H frame that goes from one side to the other) to bottom of the frame of the coach by adjusting the ride height valve in the middle and over the front axle with a long rod attached to front axle.On the back use the 10" rods to adj the two ride height valves as with the front.

If the measurement is off, loosen the adjusting lock nut at the eccentric slot on the valve. Take a 7/16 wrench and 7/64 twist drill bit and crawl under the front of your coach. Locate the front jack. Just forward of the front jack, you should be able to sit up. You will see a narrow, vertical shaft. That shaft connects to a metal plate fastened to a short tubular piece of plastic. There is an elongated slot in the metal plate with a nut sticking out. Loosen the nut Move the plastic arm (tube) up to raise suspension height, this will inflate all the front air bags. Move the plastic arm (tube) down to lower suspension height, this will deflate the air bags. Make adjustments in small increments. When satisfied insert the drill bit in the plastic arm and valve body, the bit is there to hold the arm while tighten the 7/16 nut to 60 to 80 inch lb. After you finish blow down and start the engine and re air and check the height again adjust if necessary.

[walt2137]

One other thing I should add is the drive shaft should not be more than 6 deg, the lower D S angle is supposed to give a harsher ride but would be easier on the D S universals. I have a digital angle gauge that i got from Harbor Freight that does a good job.

Walt