|
01-12-2010, 10:50 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
|
Shock Absorber Help
We have a '98 36' Alpine with 110K on it. We are still running on the original Bilstein shocks. There are no signs of leaks on any of them. I've been told that if they are not leaking they are okay. I've also been told that with that many miles they should be changed.
When we hit a dip in the highway the coach will bounce, which I would expect, but the thing is it doesn't stop after one or two bounces. It will bounce four or five times before smoothing out.
I've tried to find the shock numbers stamped on the shocks but the numbers I'm finding are not the typical BE##### number.
So, two questions. One, what's the school of thought on the situation, and two has anyone replaced their shocks and can they provide me with some Bilstein shock numbers.
Thanks,
Dan
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
01-13-2010, 04:11 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 185
|
Dan I have 4 that I took off my '05 and are in my shop. I'll get you the numbers off them, or you can call me after 9:00A.M. Ca. time (714) 746-0752
__________________
John & Greta
'05 36' FDDS
|
|
|
01-13-2010, 02:32 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 185
|
Dan, here's the #'s for the Bilstein shock I took off my '05 36'. Fronts are F4-B46-2093-M1 & rears are F4-B46-2092-HO. Hope this helps, good luck.
__________________
John & Greta
'05 36' FDDS
|
|
|
01-13-2010, 03:11 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Auburn, CA, Havasu, AZ & Mulege, BCS
Posts: 5,385
|
You can do a search from the Alpine Owner's Forum page on "koni fsd" and find the front & rear shock numbers for that brand & model of shock. Many Alpiner's report an improved ride w/the FSDs. Labor rate oughta be equal. Koni's likely $150 per corner plus tax ish.
__________________
Baja-tested '08 2-slide 36'
Alpine: The Ultimate DIY'er Project
|
|
|
01-14-2010, 10:22 AM
|
#5
|
Junior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
|
Thanks guys. I made a call to Bilstein yesterday and they gave me the shock numbers so I'm all set.
I'm a DIYer. Has anyone tried to replace them themselves? I can handle the fronts okay but it's the rear ones that look like they would be a problem without removing the tires. I've got the tools, big compressor and all but don't know the torque specks for the lugnuts.
|
|
|
01-14-2010, 12:02 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: TX
Posts: 494
|
Loctite,
I notice that you have a 1998 Alpine Coach. The 1998 Alpine Coach owners manual does not seem to state the actual lug nut torque specs in the Service Interval table near the end of the manual. However, this manual does state on page 65 under Tire Service that "The lug nuts are tightened to over 450 ft-lbs of torque..."
Beginning at some point in later year owners manuals, the lug nut torque specs are stated as 450-500 ft-lbs under Suspension and Axles in the Service Interval table near the end of the manual.
If you are not comfortable with this spec for your 1998 year coach, then you can call or email Mark Harrah for technical information, if you are a member of ACA:
Mark Harrah
racer_s10ss@yahoo.com
509-901-2015
|
|
|
01-14-2010, 01:39 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Auburn, CA, Havasu, AZ & Mulege, BCS
Posts: 5,385
|
Same spec for lug nuts. I go in three rounds, 1st to all snug tight w/a 3/4 ratchet, second to 250-300 all around (which a muscular guy can do w/the ratchet, but engineers cheat w/the torque multiplier), then torque multiplier to 475. Also, in each round I alternate starting up/down, one over each top/bottom, one more over... like doing a head gasket change. Probably not needed, but why not have some fun.
__________________
Baja-tested '08 2-slide 36'
Alpine: The Ultimate DIY'er Project
|
|
|
01-14-2010, 01:51 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Camarillo, CA
Posts: 466
|
Dan,
I replaced all four of mine myself with the Koni FSDs. Not too hard. Took about an hour and a half for all of them.
__________________
Steve
'19 Renegade Verona VSB
'05 Jeep Liberty
|
|
|
01-15-2010, 03:07 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Tustin, CA
Posts: 328
|
Locktite - We have a set of Bilsteins we took off to replace with RoadKings on our Apex that only have about 4,000 miles at the most on them that you can buy for super cheap if you are interested.
Send us a private message. We plan to take them to Quartszite to sell!!!
__________________
The Swans
2007 ALPINE APEX 40'MDTS
#75710.
|
|
|
01-17-2010, 11:18 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 609
|
We also have four used Bilsteins in great condition. Two 2092 and two 2093.. That are available for a fraction of the new price.
Harold
|
|
|
01-18-2010, 06:29 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 3,467
|
Being a '98 your shock mounting bolts will probably be rusted together and they will have be cut out. My local tire shop charged me 2 hours labor to mount my Koni FSD shocks which I bought elsewhere. All 4 rear wheels had to be removed to cut out the bolts.
__________________
John and Mary Knight
2015 Newmar Ventana 4311 - wheelchair accessible
2015 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD
|
|
|
01-23-2010, 01:25 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,563
|
Bilstiens? Why set yourself up for another bumpy ride and failing shock? The Koni's are the best mod I've done to my coach. The ride difference was great. The install can be done with wheels on.
__________________
2003 Alpine 40FDTS (400HP)
Long Beach, CA
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|