Community Forums

Mike Canter · 07-10-2011, 06:54 AM

Can't tell you if the larger rubber bushing help or not. It would sure seem that it would and Roadmaster do a lot of testing with a fully instrumented MH so they would actually be able to measure the difference. I have driven both the IFS and the solid axle and there is a difference for sure if it is a bump under just one tire or an expansion joint hitting both tires at the same time. New shocks always tend to be rougher and require some unknown amount of miles to settle down but that depends on the type of valving that is used in the shock. I would expect a new set of shocks to feel different than a same brand set that has been on for 10,000 but the problem for me would be remembering how the previous shock felt a year later. My Signature with the factory Bilsteins is great expect on Calif I-5 bridge expansion joints. Have you tested your Dynasty with the Koni shocks on that road yet? I would love to know how they feel.

rpasetto · 07-11-2011, 04:12 AM

Replaced the Bilsteins last year on my 03 Dynasty (some of them had leaks at around 80k miles). Significant ride improvement. Roadmaster chassis was built in 02 so perhaps the old shocks were the "earlier" type.

krf9113 · 07-12-2011, 07:33 PM

I have a 2008 Safari Simba on the Workhorse chassis. With 14,000 miles on the rig (I bought it used) the Koni's changed the ride and handling better than I could have imagined.

crazyfox · 07-12-2011, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krf9113

I have a 2008 Safari Simba on the Workhorse chassis. With 14,000 miles on the rig (I bought it used) the Koni's changed the ride and handling better than I could have imagined.

Did you get the FSD type?thats what i bolted on my 07 Safari/Simba with a absolute major improvement in ride and handling.

krf9113 · 07-14-2011, 11:28 AM

Yes, I did.

deSanford · 07-16-2011, 04:13 PM

Which Koni's would I use on an 8 bag roadmaster Moniaco Cayman 36' 2011 chassis? deSanford

Bentley · 08-02-2011, 02:06 PM

Mike Cantor:
My 03 Windsor needs some help, any suggestions? The coach runs smooth and very quite on smooth roads by when I encounter dips and bumps it becomes a harsh ride. The coach has approx. 56K in mileage and I was ready to trade out the shocks until I read your column. The front ends bounces a lot & once I hit a good size dip in the road it is very uncomfortable and at that point is making my wife very nervous.

Bentley

Mike Canter · 08-02-2011, 02:19 PM

Hi Bentley. Have you looked to see if you have Monroe or Holstein shocks? The description of all your problems pretty well describes bad shocks. I think it is time to replace them.

Sticks4748 · 08-03-2011, 05:26 AM

Bently; Sounds just like my 02' Windsor before I changed out to new Bilsteins. You have a lot of weight in that coach so do yourself a favor and get new Bilsteins or Koni's if you have the $$ but the bilsteins will probably be a softer ride.

DC Cruiser · 08-03-2011, 11:57 PM

Bentley you may also want to give Jim a call at Source Engineering and check out their REK for the Windsor. They installed one my 03 Windsor and the difference it made was fantastic. I am still waiting for my front shocks as they have been back ordered from Bilstein but the sway bars make a huge differance in the handling of the coach.

CHEERS

Bentley · 08-04-2011, 12:37 PM

Mike:
I always thought Bilsteins were Blue and Yellow in color, mine appear to be all Yellow and the owners manual says Magnum shocks which would indicate to me that they are Monroe's, what do you think? I have heard from several others and believe now is the time to trade out the old shocks. For a smooth ride, do I go with Bilsteins or Koni?

Bentley

Mike Canter · 08-04-2011, 02:30 PM

You are correct in that Holsteins are yellow and blue. All yellow is Monroe and Magnum is a model/version of Monroe.

nodine · 08-05-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley

Mike:
I always thought Bilsteins were Blue and Yellow in color, mine appear to be all Yellow and the owners manual says Magnum shocks which would indicate to me that they are Monroe's, what do you think? I have heard from several others and believe now is the time to trade out the old shocks. For a smooth ride, do I go with Bilsteins or Koni?

Bentley

If you have the old Monroe shocks you will notice a huge improvement with either Bilsteins or Konis. We went with the Koni FSD's and noticed a tremendous improvement in ride and handling.

Bob

RVNeophytes2 · 08-05-2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley

Mike Cantor:The coach runs smooth and very quiet on smooth roads ... front ends bounces a lot & once I hit a good size dip in the road it is very uncomfortable and at that point is making my wife very nervous.

Bentley

This is exactly what we had, at 89K in the Fleetwood. New shocks killed the "bobbing" or porpoising tendency, dampened the body rock you get from pulling out of a parking lot, rendered those nast concrete seams a distant irritant. Considering the relatively modest cost, a huge improvement.

The 100K lifespan claim is easily decoded: indeed, they still dampen somewhat until that mileage. But, we all want as close to a new-coach ride as can be attained, within reason, right? For comfort and safety.

The time to replace is determined by the user, more than the odometer or calendar. My incomplete list:

Brief shimmy that trails an initial bump
Secondary porpoise after driving over a dip
"Loose" feel to the suspension
Harsh sway when one wheel transits a pavement irregularity at very low speed, eg walking pace
Leakage on any shock strut
Swimming motion that echoes a change in direction by the coach