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moisheh · 11-16-2013, 02:27 PM

I bought 4 new Konis for our Bounder 34m. Finally decided to install them. I am fortunate to have a fully equipped shop ( 30 by 50) with all the right tools. This is not job you would want to do in the backyard on dirt. The fronts are no big deal. I jacked it up via the leveling jacks and then used my air over hydraulic bottle jack. The bottom bolts take a 1 1/8 socket. I cannot believe the Sachs shocks. They are shot and I bet they are like that within 6 months of usage! Most OEM shocks are a joke. Some replacements like Monroe do not last more than 6 months! The Konis are almost double the weight of the Sach's! I am going to tackle the rears tomorrow. This will not be fun. I thought that maybe I could replace the rears without removing the dualllies. Dream on! My tires were changed when I bought the unit and most tire shops use a 1 inch impact and just drive the m home. My 1/2 inch CP wrench is no match for the lug nuts. I have a "Times 12" torque multiplier and will use that to loosen the nuts. I am not young anymore and this kind of work gets harder with age. But I will persevere. Stay tuned tomorrow for the rest of the story.

palehorse89 · 11-16-2013, 02:29 PM

Take her for a ride then report back

moisheh · 11-17-2013, 04:54 PM

Finished the job today. I removed the LH duallies. That was fun! I swear they were installed with 1000 lbs. of torque. Any tire dealer that does not torque the wheels should be shot. When it was time to do the right side I thought I would try to do the job without removing the wheels. It is possible but difficult. I was alone. If you have a helper it is easier as one fellow can hold the wrench on the bolt while the other uses an impact or ratchet on the bolt. I won't have a chance for a road test for about a week.

wagonmaster2 · 11-17-2013, 08:00 PM

I've changed the Konis on the front of my 2004 Meridian twice (the first set lasted about 4 years then started leaking) in the back yard on dirt. Not too bad. But the first change on the rears from Sachs to Konis were done by a small brake/muffler shop for a fee of $50, best money I've ever spent. It did take two employees to do them without removing the rear duallies. I wouldn't want to tackle the rears by myself.

1ciderdog · 11-18-2013, 10:13 AM

I replaced the original shocks with konis without pulling the wheels. It was tight but doable. On the fronts I had to cut the heads off the top bolts. The shocks were installed prior to Winnebago putting on the body. The nuts came off the bolts OK but there was no space to remove the bolts.

wagonmaster2 · 11-18-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

I replaced the original shocks with konis without pulling the wheels. It was tight but doable. On the fronts I had to cut the heads off the top bolts. The shocks were installed prior to Winnebago putting on the body. The nuts came off the bolts OK but there was no space to remove the bolts.

Wasn't that a pain for the first front shock change? I couldn't believe someone at Winnebago didn't have enough foresight to install those upper bolts in the correct way. I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that. I had to borrow a receipatating (spelling??) saw to cut the heads off those large bolts. Six months ago I couldn't evin spel ingineer and now I air one.

1ciderdog · 11-18-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2

Wasn't that a pain for the first front shock change? I couldn't believe someone at Winnebago didn't have enough foresight to install those upper bolts in the correct way. I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that. I had to borrow a receipatating (spelling??) saw to cut the heads off those large bolts. Six months ago I couldn't evin spel ingineer and now I air one.

Yep, made me wonder but then those who design them don't work on them - same in the wonderful world of boating.
Bob