Community Forums

Stuart W · 04-05-2018, 11:48 AM

No they are Bilsteins.

Slice · 04-05-2018, 12:04 PM

I just changed out my Bilstein shocks on my 18 k-2 chassis, had 2400 miles on them,, replaced with Koni 400 bucks shipped to my door.. best money spent.. they dont rebound like the Bilsteins, and smoother ride..

ARD · 04-05-2018, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Anyone else have experience with the Spartan shocks on the 2018 43 footers? I've spoken with Newmar as well as Spartan. Spartan says it might be my ride height, but if they check it, and it is correct, I have to pay. My front end seems to bounce more than it should, but other than the one thread saying he got his replaced with heavy duty for free, which I can't seem to find again, I've not heard of anyone else having this problem. Anyone else have an issue?

Funny you mention it. In February it was determined that my ride height was too high in the back and too low in the front. While they were down there looking, they discovered that my drive axle shock absorber had broken in half. Cummins sent it back to Spartan and now all is well in my world. 🤞🏻

Stuart W · 04-05-2018, 03:12 PM

Just got this info from Spartan on checking Ride height:

The front ride height is 6.61 inches measure the height of the front air bags.

The rear ride height is 8.25 inches, you measure the length of the rear shock.

10 fan · 04-05-2018, 04:01 PM

Measure from top to bottom of front airbag ?

RKLindsay · 04-05-2018, 04:42 PM

Night and day difference between the stock front Bilsteins and replacement Koni front shocks in our 2017 DS 4369. Spartan suggested the Konis when we attended the Spartan Owners Academy in May 2017, several months after we took factory delivery of our coach in Dec 2016. We paid for the Konis and the install labor at Spartan HQ in Charlotte MI. I don't remember the exact cost, but it was around $500. Very happy!

Stuart W · 04-05-2018, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10 fan

Measure from top to bottom of front airbag ?

I believe so, this what the sent me and i assume center of bolts on rears.

Canuck53 · 04-05-2018, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKLindsay

Night and day difference between the stock front Bilsteins and replacement Koni front shocks in our 2017 DS 4369. Spartan suggested the Konis when we attended the Spartan Owners Academy in May 2017, several months after we took factory delivery of our coach in Dec 2016. We paid for the Konis and the install labor at Spartan HQ in Charlotte MI. I don't remember the exact cost, but it was around $500. Very happy!

What? So I guess Newmar decides what to install? But Spartan recommends the Koni???

Stuart W · 04-05-2018, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart W

Just got this info from Spartan on checking Ride height:

The front ride height is 6.61 inches measure the height of the front air bags.

The rear ride height is 8.25 inches, you measure the length of the rear shock.

Just got home and attempted to measure, these numbers aren’t even in the ball bark. Will need to call back. BTW the information I posted was cut and paste from what I was sent.

ghaynes754 · 04-05-2018, 05:37 PM

From the Spartan Manual for my 2017 DS 4369.

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Stuart W · 04-05-2018, 06:24 PM

Got out my Spartan CD, fronts airbag height 9.25 + or - 1/8
Rears 7 inches from bottom of frame to center of axle +or - 1/4 inch
My left front was 9.5and right was 9.25. Rears hard to measure but using a level from the. Frame, marked tire, then leveled across wheel from that mark, measured down looks very close to 7.25”. As far as rear shocks, can barley see them underneath on the ground[emoji53]

Stuart W · 04-05-2018, 06:50 PM

Ok went back out with the above information of 20 inch between shock bolt center, fed a tape up from the bottom reaching behind the right drive wheel, looks like 20 3/8 inch center to center... the frame to center of the axle gives. +/- so I’m not sure what the +/- on the shock measurement. But I would say it’s close
I’m getting to old for this[emoji51]

RKLindsay · 04-05-2018, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck53

What? So I guess Newmar decides what to install? But Spartan recommends the Koni???

One of the parts of the Spartan Academy is a full chassis inspection of your coach. During that process, I was asked if I had any concerns or problems. I mentioned that I wasn't happy with the jarring ride in our coach. The mechanic then suggested that I might be happier with Koni shocks in the front only. I decided it was worth a try!