Community Forums

two sailors · 12-27-2007, 02:38 PM

Danny,
I took advantage of your negotations and ordered a set of shocks.

Thanks,
Brad

cschemanske · 12-29-2007, 06:37 AM

Danny, we placed our order with Arthur for four shocks, he still thinks they will be shipped the first week in Feb.
Good job on the deal.
Thanks again.

Looking 2009 · 12-29-2007, 12:12 PM

Danny, We just did 600 miles with 4 new Koni Shocks, worth every penny. The coach rides and drives so much better wish I had put them on sooner. Everyone should put these on their coach.

Algoma · 12-29-2007, 04:19 PM

I ordered a set of 4 today. $475 shipped to WV. I think I still have the originals on so should make a big difference. The fronts look easy to change but do you have to remove the wheels to get at the rear shocks?

Danny Gayhart · 12-30-2007, 06:49 AM

I am still using the originals on mine and I have close to 100,000 miles. I never was happy with the performance of the originals. I attributed the bouncing when new to under engineering. Controlling a 25,000+ lbs. machine with four shocks is a tall order.

I am very much looking forward to the change.

Danny

Danny Gayhart · 12-31-2007, 05:35 AM

This is the last day to get your shocks at the discounted price.

Let us know how the installs go.

Danny

rosegramma · 12-31-2007, 11:56 AM

Thanks so much Danny. We have not been on the forum for weeks. Got back on today, found this special deal and just placed our order for 4 at 4:30pm EST on New Year's Eve! Can't believe we got in under the wire! Arthur was very receptive, quoted us $475, shipped to FL.

With appreciation,
Lois (& John) Miller
'02 38FDDS
'01 Ranger 4x4 toad

Danny Gayhart · 01-02-2008, 03:44 PM

I got my rear shocks today. Now I have to install them!

Danny

Old Scout · 01-05-2008, 10:17 AM

OK--we are starting the new year off right--new Koni shocks all around. Probably about time as old shocks had 75K miles on them. Because of shipping delays for the rears, I was able to experience the new front shocks for a month before installing the rears. The fronts made a clear difference; adding the rears not as much.
Konis have a little larger diameter so less clearance between rear shocks and the brakelines. Accordingly, the outer lip of the top sleeve on the Konis (Vs rubber boots on the Bilsteins) run pretty close to the brakelines at full extension. Some shielding for the rear brakelines might be in order.

Jeff_S · 01-07-2008, 04:54 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Old Scout:
OK--we are starting the new year off right--new Koni shocks all around. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Old Scout,

Were you able to swap the rear shocks without removing the rear wheels? I heard there could be an access issue.

Old Scout · 01-07-2008, 05:32 AM

Nope--its not necessary to remove the rear tires. Find a level spot to park and block one of the front tires--front and back. I placed 4-6 inches of blocking under the rear jacks but this may not be required. Then using the rear jack button only on the HWH control panel, raise the rear of the coach until you can see/reach over the rear tires to get at the upper shock mount/bolt (on frame). Rear wheels should still be on ground at this point. Reaching over tires with a 1-1/8" socket and long-handle ratchet, loosen the the upper shock mounting bolt (a little lub oil helps)(I used a large cresent wrench to hold other end of bolt/nut.) Now for the tough part--you will have to crawl under coach from behind the axle. The lower bolt head is on inside of suspension, nut is between suspension and tire--but still very reachable. Since Konis are 1/3" shorter than old Bilsteins, you may need to raise the rear jacks/lower coach a bit to connect the Konis. All told--this takes less than an hour if your "co-pilot" [longer arms are required] helps you align the top of the shocks in the upper frame mount. Note-- limited clearance between the new/larger diameter Konis and the rear brakelines is a bit bothersome.

Jeff_S · 01-07-2008, 08:07 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Old Scout:
Nope--its not necessary to remove the rear tires. <details deleted> </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Thank much for the info!

rmmpe · 01-08-2008, 11:22 AM

When "limited clearance" is mentioned, what is the exact issue?
I'd like to be prepared when mine get here and I install them.

Thanks.

Old Scout · 01-09-2008, 05:54 AM

"The exact issue" here is that on my 2003 anyway--the rear brakelines are routed pretty close to the same space that the shocks require when they extend and contract. Since the Konis have a slightly larger diameter and have a bell shaped lip on the upper sleeve, they run even closer to the brakelines than did the Bilsteins. Unless you reroute the brakelines away from the shocks, you might consider some additional shielding around the brakelines to act as a buffer/spacer with the Konis.