Shock Absorber Replacement

[mickey53usa]

Searched and only found one post - regarding shocks - on the Freightliner board.

1999 Winnebago - Adventurer - 34V (assume V means the VC chassis as opposed to the XC chassis) - Air suspension - 275 Cummins Turbo -

Probably original equipment Bilsteins - at 7 years and 22K, I think they are gone - is replacement a job for an above average DIYer, that has replaced shocks on many other kinds of vehicles. Looks to be pretty straight forward - rears look a little more difficult than the fronts - experience doing this? Suggestions? Brand of shock TBD-
TIA

[mickey53usa]

Searched and only found one post - regarding shocks - on the Freightliner board.

1999 Winnebago - Adventurer - 34V (assume V means the VC chassis as opposed to the XC chassis) - Air suspension - 275 Cummins Turbo -

Probably original equipment Bilsteins - at 7 years and 22K, I think they are gone - is replacement a job for an above average DIYer, that has replaced shocks on many other kinds of vehicles. Looks to be pretty straight forward - rears look a little more difficult than the fronts - experience doing this? Suggestions? Brand of shock TBD-
TIA

[Dgold2]

I used the Koni adjustable shocks on my "02" Journey w/air suspension. They are manually adjustable, and currently I have them set on #1 in the front and #2 in the rear. The adjustment on the shock goes from 1 which is the softest setting, up to 5 which is the firmest.

I initally had the fronts set on 2 also, but it was just a tad too firm. It was night and day difference between the OEM Bilsteins and the Koni. The Koni's let you be in control while the Bilsteins fely like I was wallowing all over the place.

The brand new Koni shock is a non-adjustable shock that I would have used if they had it commercial for my vehicle. I think they put the most popular application into production first. I will assure you that neither one of the Koni shocks are inexpensive, but I had the philosophy to do it right and one time only.

They can be changed by a DIY person, but to make the job a LOT EASIER, remove the wheels.

[chasfm11]

Michael, I didn't respond to you initially because my XCS chassis is all springs, no air bags and is therefore somewhat different from yours. As long as you keep that in mind, I'll provide some additional information.

When I was looking for new shocks, I posted to several of the boards, asking about anyone's experience with Koni shocks on an XCS chassis and got no responses. I did get several responders who had XCS chassis and was given information on a Service Bulletin that Freightliner put out on the XCS for ride problems. Part of the SB was new shocks. Based on the recommendations of my fellow XCS owners, I ordered those. A note, too, was that Koni only made front shocks for the XCS and I knew that I neeeded all four. What I put on was a Monroe gas shock that, supposedly, Freighliner and Monroe and collaborated on for the XCS. Message #1 - see if there is anything similar for your chassis model.

I installed the shocks myself. As you said, it looked very straight forward. The problem turned out to be breaking the nuts loose. I only had one shallow socket that would fit but I managed to get both front shocks on with that and a large adjustable wrench. Message #2 - use an impact wrench if you can and, if not, at least buy a combination wrench that will fit the nuts. Life is much better if you do. On the passenger side front, I cut the wire too soon and strugged to push the shock back up into position to drive the lower bolt home. Message #3 - mount the new shock on both upper bolts but don't tighten them too much. Be ready with the lower bolt, cut the wire and push the bolt home as the shock end goes by. That is the way that I did it with the driver's side front and it took less than half the time.

For the rear shocks, I had the correct size impact socket and combination wrench. I could use the impact gun everywhere except on of the driver's side upper bolts because of a wiring harness. I put both rear shocks on in less time than either side on the front.

I did use the leveling jacks to raise the frame but have 16 ton jacks stands to protect my safety.

[mickey53usa]

Thanks for the information - Looking at the T-818 Handling kit from 3Ts RV which includes new Monroe shocks - So figured to put the same brand on the rear.
Thank you for the detailed input.

[mickey53usa]

chasfm11:

On using the leveling jacks - you did that to lift the "body" up off the suspension (which extended the shocks), so that the replacement is easier (easier to compress old shock to get it out)?

[eghershey]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by chasfm11:
Michael, I didn't respond to you initially because my XCS chassis is all springs, no air bags and is therefore somewhat different from yours. As long as you keep that in mind, I'll provide some additional information. &lt;snip&gt;
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Michael, I went to the Monroe gas shocks up front because my XCS chassis Fleetwood began porpoising badly. Completely fixed that problem... did you notice an improved ride when you replaced the rear shocks? I didn't replace mine yet, 38,000 miles on it so I'm guessing that since the front gave it up, the rears should be in sad shape too.

[chasfm11]

No, I used the leveling jacks to lift the frame to make my access easier. Especially on the back where I used an impact wrench, I needed enough room to be able to move around underneath.

I don't think it is a good idea to use the jacks like I did unless you have some way to support the weight in case one of the jacks fails.