Community Forums

TurboZinke · 05-24-2018, 07:27 AM

2005 Country Coach Allure 470

I've been trying to reduce the very hard bouncing of my motorhome around 67-75 mph. I have another thread here

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f112/boun...ph-383640.html

that discusses the problem. I've been looking for article about changing the shocks on IRV2. Lots of people say they went out in their driveway and changed one in 20 minutes, but nobody says how.

For example on the tag axle I can easily see the eyebolt top of the shock, but I can't get to the bottom with the wheels on. Do you have to remove the wheels to change the shocks?

The drive axle you can't see the shocks at all unless you climb under it. Again I can't see how they could be changed without removing the tires.

It seems like the old shocks will jump naked to full expansion as soon as one bolt is removed. Do I just let them jump since the new shock is compressed?

Any advice would be helpful

andy29847 · 05-24-2018, 07:41 AM

My RV is an Alpine Coach - no tag axle. I just bought a new set of Koni shocks. I put the front ones on, but it took a couple of hours. I did not remove the tires, but it would have been much easier to change the shocks if I had done so. I turned the wheels to full lock to get some room to get to the upper shock tower. I had to crawl under to do the lower part of the shock. It was hot, heavy, dirty work. Thank goodness my impact gun was strong enough to back off the 1 1/8" nuts. I used my rubber mallet some too. Konis are easier to put on than the Blisteins because they are not gas charged. I could pull or push on the Konis to change the length. The gas charged shocks do not spring apart, but the slowly get longer. They are a bitch to compress for installation. I expect the easiest way to install a gas charged shock is to manipulate the suspension of the coach to where the suspension is at full extension, and then install the shocks. I have looked at the rear shocks. I can barely see them with the wheels on. I'm going to get a local tire shop to install the rear shocks.

wsmcycle · 05-24-2018, 08:06 AM

you are going to go to a tire shop carrying in the Konis and hire them to install? Surely they would but when i try to get something put on that i didn't buy from them at their inflated price they frown on it. A tire shop would probably not have shocks anyway though.

pumper9x9 · 05-25-2018, 06:21 AM

Your coach is not the family car. Unless you've done a fair amount of work on heavy equipment I would suggest that you have a shop install your shocks. They have the tools, the experience, and the health insurance. I've had mine installed (Road King) and the shop said they had a very hard time because of how beefy they are. Besides it will save you the embarrassment of having to tell them what happened if you tried and couldn't do it right.
Good Luck

andy29847 · 05-25-2018, 07:40 AM

Local tire shop is probably not a good description. The business I use is in a small town (Saluda, South Carolina), on a moderately busy truck route (Hwy 121). A big part of his business is big truck road service. I found him looking for the closest Michelin/FMCA tire guy to where I live. I liked his prices, his work ethic, and the fact that he let me watch. I asked him about putting on my shocks, and he willing to do the work. I am new to the motor coach world and am developing resources for maintenance. This one seems to be a good find.

IASM · 05-26-2018, 07:53 AM

hello
Not sure your existing shocks are gas charged. I use one of those ratchet tie down straps. the small i inch wide ones.i loop the strap all the way around the shock then take a coupe clicks. Once you pull the wheels everything is easy to work on.

dhetrick2 · 05-27-2018, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboZinke

2005 Country Coach Allure 470

I've been trying to reduce the very hard bouncing of my motorhome around 67-75 mph. I have another thread here

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f112/boun...ph-383640.html

that discusses the problem. I've been looking for article about changing the shocks on IRV2. Lots of people say they went out in their driveway and changed one in 20 minutes, but nobody says how.

For example on the tag axle I can easily see the eyebolt top of the shock, but I can't get to the bottom with the wheels on. Do you have to remove the wheels to change the shocks?

The drive axle you can't see the shocks at all unless you climb under it. Again I can't see how they could be changed without removing the tires.

It seems like the old shocks will jump naked to full expansion as soon as one bolt is removed. Do I just let them jump since the new shock is compressed?

Any advice would be helpful

I recently changed the shocks on my 99 Allure thinking it couldn't be that tough of job, but it was a total PITA and will not be doing it again. It took a friend of mine an I 3-4 hours and a lot of muscle to change them. Unless you have a good air gun, compressor , impact sockets and torque wrench able to tighten the bolts and nuts to 150-175 ft lbs. I would suggest taking it to a repair shop. It should only take several hours with the right tools an equipment.