Community Forums

TomMiller · 02-16-2019, 09:57 PM

Hi all...
I’m beginning to believe the front SUMO’s are what’s giving me the harsh ride up front. I’d like to remove them... Since the dealer installed them when I purchased the coach, I don’t know if there is anything to replace when I remove the SUMO’s ??

cwit · 02-17-2019, 04:38 AM

They are an add on so you shouldn’t have anything.

waterman480 · 02-17-2019, 04:52 AM

The original bump stops need to be replaced - they were removed to install the Sumo Springs. They bolt in to the frame where the top Sumo Spring is.

I'm sure you can sell the Sumo Springs to someone to recover some money.

lrsses · 02-17-2019, 06:04 AM

We have installed the SUMOS on our National Sea Breeze to stop the bounce and smooth the ride over bridge joints it does a much better job then the original OEM bump stops. How old are your shocks.

twinboat · 02-17-2019, 06:23 AM

The bump stops shouldn't have an effect on " bridge joints " because they are only there to protect from over compression of the springs. If the axle crashed into the frame, it would bend it.

Unless " bridge joints " are something different then a sharp edge between 2 pavement joints, your springs shouldn't be bottoming out.

If you talking about a pronounced dip, or rise, at the meeting of the pavements, where the springs move thru a pronounced range, up and down, then sumos may help the shocks stop the spring compression.

I have sumos in the front and plan on removing them. They are limiting the suspension travel, by increasing the spring rate, and making the ride less reactive.

You want the axles to float under the chassis, not force it to move.

lrsses · 02-17-2019, 06:25 AM

Well in Louisiana they sure helped my ride over a lot of bridge joints!

TomMiller · 02-17-2019, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterman480

The original bump stops need to be replaced - they were removed to install the Sumo Springs. They bolt in to the frame where the top Sumo Spring is.

I'm sure you can sell the Sumo Springs to someone to recover some money.

Thanks for the follow up. Where would you suggest I look for new bump stops

steve skare · 02-17-2019, 05:25 PM

My 2001 36ft Bounder came with Firestone ride right air bags. I just need a compressor to inflate them to what I like.

890ken · 02-17-2019, 07:42 PM

Tom,
Pretty much any Ford parts department can order them (assuming you have an F53 gas chassis from your avatar pic).

rgmiller32 · 02-17-2019, 08:01 PM

On our 18,000 lb chassis the sumo springs on the front axle made the ride better on the rough roads. Looking to install them on the rear axle hopefully this summer.

waterman480 · 02-18-2019, 06:13 AM

If you do take them off, I would make sure you get all the parts and keep them unti you have done another road trip. You may change your mind. They are also easy to put on and remove (once you get new bump stops). Video on etrailer.com

rapid rick · 02-18-2019, 06:22 AM

I would not go out and buy bump stops....... remove the summo's take it for a short drive, and you will come home and reinstall the summo's guaranteed. It is not going to hurt a thing to drive it a little without the stops, bump stops are basically at end of suspension travel, summo's are working almost all the time. Shocks will help, I tried koni,1 season did not like , I now have monroe from napa,big difference, at half the price.
Edit
Ihave summo's front and rear

emcee · 02-18-2019, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

I have sumos in the front and plan on removing them. They are limiting the suspension travel, by increasing the spring rate, and making the ride less reactive

Twinboat your profile says you have a Thor axis. That's on an E450 chassis right? Have you considered the front shocks as the culprit? The OEM shocks on the F53 are pretty harsh so it may be the same on the E450.

twinboat · 02-18-2019, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emcee

Twinboat your profile says you have a Thor axis. That's on an E450 chassis right? Have you considered the front shocks as the culprit? The OEM shocks on the F53 are pretty harsh so it may be the same on the E450.

Shocks aren't harsh, they damper movement, leaf springs are harsh.

I just moved from a Class C, E450, and it rode better then my Axis E450 with Sumos.

I did replace the shocks on the old MH, only because it re-bounded, multiple times, on dips and rises. That's what shocks are designed to control and new ones fixed that.

I don't want to limit my axle movement, I want it to move up and down under me.

Once I remove them, I'll see how it rides.