Broken Shocks

[lonestarace]

This evening I was crawling around under our new to us 99 Executive. Its a 42 footer w/tag. It has 10 shocks and air bags. I found that 4 of the 6 rear shocks have their upper mounting eyelets broken off. The 4 broken shafts have punched holes in the floor. The upper attach points intact. What do you think could have caused this to happen? My guess is somebody drove it with the rear suspension collasped?

I would never have guessed there was a problem. The coach drives great. No weaving, rolling or bobbing?

The tag airbags collapse after its been parked for a few hours,but they hold air when the engine is running. I'll mix up some soapy water and look for leaks tomorrow.

I weighed the coach on a CAT multi platform scale while driving it home to TX from FL. The steer axle weighs 12,000 Lbs, the drive axle 17,000, and the tag 7,000.

Where is the best place to buy 10 shocks for this beast? And what brand?

Thanks
Don, Lisa,& Alexa

[Steve Ownby]

Which 4? My guess is the 2 rear shocks for the drive axle and the 2 shocks for the tag. I'll be interested in possibilities.

Also, What are the axle ratings for your coach?

Steve O

[justlou]

Check here Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - Edelbrock Automotive Truck Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com for shocks.

[lonestarace]

The broken shocks are:
All 3 rear right side, and the rear left forward.

The weight figures I gave in my previous post are rounded up. It actually weighed 35,300. When it was weighed, it was full of fuel, propane, H2O,, me in it, and the waste tanks were empty, The front axle is rated for 13,000, the drive for 23,000, and the tag for 10,000. So, its 9,700 Lbs under its 45,000 GVWR and now axle is near its max. This coach is lite for a 42' w/tag. The ceramic tile has been replaced w/vinyl, and it doesn't have AquaHot(furnace instead). Being lite helps the 450hp M11.0 Cummins at fuel mileage too. It got 9.5 mpg @ 60mph on the 1300 mile drive from FL. I was pleasantly surprised. Our 98 DutchStar 300hp C8.3 got 10.5mpg @ 60 mph on a simular trip, and it's 10,000 Lbs lighter.


We are just starting to whip it into shape since we only just bought the beast last week. In its current condition, after its parked, the rear air leaks out in a few hrs and the rear suspension collapses to the point that the rear shocks get completely colasped and carry the weight. In this condition, if someone were to start the engine and immediately drive it on rough ground without letting the airbags fillup, they could break the ends off the shocks. That's my guess?

I've talked w/the previous owner and he was surprised too.

The beast is obviously a very stable platform, so I'm probably gonna go with the Monroe Magnums, instead of the more expensive Bilsteins or Konis, unless someone can convince me otherwise.

[Mandys Man]

Quote:

This beast is a stable platform so I'm gonna go with the Monroe Magnums, instead of the more expensive Bilsteins or Konis.

My choice would be the newer re-valved Bilsteins. Not that big of a price difference and a much better shock. JMHO

[Mike Canter]

I would stay with the Bilsteins because they are a more stable shock that is smoother. I read a test report in MotorHome magazine that also ranked them number one on ride comfort and stability. When you buy them they are guaranteed for life. I put them all around on my previous motorhome and it made a big difference. shockwarehouse.com can probably neat Camping World on price.

[lonestarace]

I found some air leaks today.
one up front is the petcock on the bottom of the air tank(no pic).
Another leak is were the air dryer filter screws on to the main body.
http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=14012


Also, the body of the tag regulator
http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=14013

[Mike Canter]

Probably need to just change that Air Dryer Filter. Somebody probably had changed it before and didn't put vaseline or silicone on the threads and the oring. That regulator is interesting. I wonder if the rubber diaphram has rotted away. You can rebuild them. What was leaking on the petcock? Was the air leaking out the threads or leaking by the internal valve?

[lonestarace]

Since this 10 shock/bag coach rides so stable with 4 broken shocks, I decided to go with the Monroes.
The Monroes are $42 ea @ strutmasters.com, freeshipping, no tax
SWEET deal
I called them to make sure they weren't back ordered. They are coming to us in TX out of the Monroe AR warehouse, so I'll have them in a day or two.
Don't you love it when a plan comes together

[lonestarace]

Here they are:
executive shocks - iRV2.com RV Photo Gallery

[lonestarace]

I fixed some air leaks today. I replaced the leaky tag air regulator with a nearly identical unit from Tractor Supply $25. The only modification I had to make was to grind the mounting hole a little larger in the old mount so that the new one would fit in it.

I replaced the old leaky petcock on the front air tank with a new ball type $15, also from Tractor Supply.

I installed a new desiccant filter and coalescing cannister in the Midland air dryer($127 rvchassisparts-kit#DQ6026). While doing so I noticed the purge valve was leaking, so I'll replace it next with kit#DQ6020 $42.

Monroe shocks have different part #s for the frt (555014)and rear(555015). The physical dimensions are the same, but the internal valving is different.