Community Forums

bborc · 05-22-2010, 01:22 PM

Tried out the new belstien shocks and they are very nice riding and improved the handeling also. The belstiens I put on were the comfort shocks so I think they are a little softer than the older shocks that they made for the rr8r chassis. Anything would be better than the monroes that were on there.

Galvanizd · 05-23-2010, 09:02 AM

Got the 8 new koni shocks for my 2003 Dipl. Front 4 were easy. Rear 4 were tough. After I figured it out. The rear 4 were fairly easy. 2 of the old Munro's were fairly bad. 6 were ok.

Left for the summer last week. 800 miles later. New shocks are "tighter" feeling. I really noticed the effect with better handling in strong winds that we got in Bartow Calif. Better control when being passed by trucks. Less swaying motion when making a turn.

I think my old (60k) shocks were due to be replaced. I believe the new shocks were a good replacement and I can feel the effects of the new shocks. The lifetime warranty is great (not sure if its my lfe , their's or the rv's.....Kiddin)

What I didn't like was the price ($160) for the new shocks. Yup, I know you get what you pay for, but wondering if the other competitor shocks, at half the price would be just as good. Since I'm not inclined to try/change to the Bilsteins for the next 800 miles, I'll just have to wonder.

Stillwater · 05-23-2010, 09:35 AM

"I just installed 4 Bilstein shocks on the front of my 2001 Dynasty. I had one leaking shock so I was advised to replace all 4 on the front. I went with the Bilstein BE5 F629 HO these are the standard not the comfort shock which is the F628 HO.After much thought I went with these."

Barrier2,
Is there a reason you decided on the standard shock and not the comfort. I thought the comfort was Bilsteins latest design. I plan on buying Bilstein but just assumed the comfort are better
Thanks.

jwinston · 05-25-2010, 10:36 AM

When I went to replace the monros on my 99 windsor I found that the lower bolt hole on the FSDs were .125 " bigger than the orginals. Contacted Koini and they thought that was fine. Found Henderson aligmentment had a solution with a spacer shim they had produced to correct the tolerances . Don't know if the .125" gap would of be ok but the engineer in me said make it right and then no worries. Really enjoy the improved ride with the FSD shocks... changed them all my self in 2 hours with a breaker bar. air gun and a little dirt in my face

Barrier2 · 05-26-2010, 05:10 PM

The New Bilsteins are a different valving than the old according to a Bilstein Engineer I spoke with. They were re-valved in response to the stiffness associated with the original Bilstein. I was told that Bilstein supplied stiffer shocks to Monaco at Monacos request even though Bilstein had suggested less firm valving. The Comfort are even softer on compression and rebound to compete with the other popular brand. They are actually the shocks listed for 2002 or 2003 and beyond. Dynasty and above models. I felt that my lighter Coach would be fine with the new shocks. After about 3500 miles I believe it was correct for me. My 2001 Dynasty is the 36' one slide model and weighs less then the 38' and longer newer models.
At 46,000 miles only one of the 8 original Bilstein shocks was leaking although the shock did not feel any different when manually compressed and extended. I don't know how much longer that would have been.
Robert

cb5300 · 05-27-2010, 02:40 PM

All this talk about shocks has gotten me to wondering as to what brand I have on my Signature...I have the adjustable shock system so I know that when the time comes to change them out I'll be crying a river....

nodine · 05-29-2010, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb5300

All this talk about shocks has gotten me to wondering as to what brand I have on my Signature...I have the adjustable shock system so I know that when the time comes to change them out I'll be crying a river....

Charles,

I doubt the river could have much more flow than the river cried by those of us who purchased 8 or 10 Koni FSD shocks!

Bob

Mike Canter · 05-29-2010, 07:49 AM

jwinston....... .125" is an 1/8 of an inch. With that much clearance you would hear that shock banging around until it finally broke the shock or the bolt from the continous impact. The engineer in you was 100% correct. Be real careful who you talk to on the phone when you order shocks or anything. That guy just answers the phone and looks it up on a computer. Mostly likely worked at a pizza place or a 7/11 Store last week.

cb5300 · 06-01-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodine

Charles,

I doubt the river could have much more flow than the river cried by those of us who purchased 8 or 10 Koni FSD shocks!

Bob

Well, I'm going by the difference in price between a regular shock and the adjustable shock on my corvette. The price was about 4 times the cost for the adjustable. Soooo with 10 shocks at 4 times the cost I'm sure it's going to be a deeep river...

Now my curiosity is up and I think I'll check into what it will cost....

jwinston · 06-01-2010, 11:34 AM

Mike, It was an Koin engineer that I talked to about the 1/8 slop in lower shock fitment. He stated that it would be ok. Guess they want to sell shocks for applications that don't fit correctly.. becasue they dont have a version that has the porper tolerances.. IMHO