2003 Fleetwood Southwind Gas ?Shocks?

[SomeDay]

Due to hubby being unable now to do a lot of the heavier/bending stuff on the RV, not that he was much on mechanical anyway, have just put our gal in for a Nose to Tail thorough check up, as with all the goings on with COVID have decided to hold onto her for a few more years before replacing. I can do the oil changes, filters and generator maintenance inline fuel filter and so on, plus just greasing and stuff like that, but mechanical goes totally over my head, and recognising obvious stress areas of concern, hence putting her in for a nose to tail check now.

Original shocks since new so would like to replace them? Can you advise for this age type of Gas Engine (Workhorse Chassis) what best options for Front and Rear (if different) we should insist on? Don't know if we can easily access Koni's here in Alberta?

Pretty sure she's going to need new brake pads = any advice to be aware of there?

Anything else you think I should talk to the guy after the inspection about that should have been considered/checked or maybe if he says something needs replacing.

She does seem to porpoise a bit = hence shocks??? Although I understand tire pressures as well shouldn't always be set to max.

Really appreciate any feedback so that when they call saying things, I can have a bit of your shared knowledge on direction.

FWIW, she had her second reconditioned/new engine, new oil pan etc, in 2018, Chassis professionally checked under, Greased x 2 and U Bolts replaced March 2019, and hasn't been on any long trip since returning after a 4 month trip August 2019, due to you know what!

Thanks as always to everyone for always sharing.

SD.

[CamJam1]

You'll get a lot of opinions, mostly about Koni vs Bilstein shocks. I can't compare as I've never had Konis, but the Bilsteins along with a pair of Sumo Springs on the front are serving me well on my Workhorse W22. The Sumos really help with porpoising and soften the blow of bridge transitions and potholes.

You don't mention any problems with wandering or crosswinds, but if those are a problem for you I highly recommend front and rear trac bars plus a steering stabilizer and an increase in caster to between 5 and 6 degrees. Those three things GREATLY improved the driving experience for me.

[SomeDay]

Thanks Camjam for sharing your experience and what else to consider. Much appreciated

[Flyer15015]

When you grease her, don't forget the drive shaft universals and there are several.

Re the shocks, you will get a lot of discussion on this one, but for the $$$$, and I've had both on our W-22 chassis, I prefer the Bilstein's as they are "gas charged" and seem to give a smoother ride. And they are a whole lot less expensive..............

Boy oh boy, I've done it now.............

Mike in Colorado

[Gary RVRoamer]

There may be reasons to choose the high-end Konis in some situations, but I think you would be completely satisfied with the OEM Bilsteins or equivalent. On an 18 year old coach, any new shock set is going to be a major improvement.

[SomeDay]

Thanks for this type of insightful info. I'm assuming Blisteins are probably less cost as well than Koni's and would do the job.

As you mentioned Gary, she is an older Gasser, and I'm trying to strike that balance between how much to invest now by doing what's best for ride comfort, keeping her safely and reliably going (she's overall cosmetically inside and outside paint etc in good shape not looking her years).

Really appreciate the input folks.

[Flyer15015]

Someday,
Shock warehouse pricing for my '04 Pace Arrow (w-22) is as follows;
Bilstein 4 each = $480.00
KONI's 4 each = $670.00

I got my Bilstein's from Amazon (Automotive Fleet Store) for $432.59, tax included w/ free shipping.

A good investment and you WILL notice the difference. A 28mm box end wrench and a 28mm socket on a 3/4 drive breaker bar will do the install. Mine took about 45 minutes apiece but then I drink a lot of coffee. Just laid a piece of cardboard down and slithered underneath. Did not use the jacks either.

Mike in Colorado

[Arch Hoagland]

The porpoising will go away with the new shocks, whatever ones you choose.

I'm assuming you have the 8.1 gas engine and the Allison 1000 transmission.

The Dexron iii transmission fluid is supposed to be changed every two years or 25,000 miles.

Changing the transmission fluid is simple and it has a spin-on transmission fluid filter.

I would suggest switching to Transynd TES 295 transmission fluid.

[153stars]

Best price Transyn equiv is Mobil from Summit... Wal-Mart has same at most stores .
Full benefit have to change drive change again.

[SomeDay]

You guys Rock! Thank you so much. Just been and picked up our MH from the place recommended we took into and really disappointed with the report, and the fact we couldn't even talk to the tech that examined her nose to tail. C$502.

Said our shocks are good not leaking. Well they don't have to be leaking to be shot. Then adamant "if" we did want to replace them we should use NAPA.

Things such as small crack on the windscreen (we can see that!), no checking tranny fluid properly (just said it's good) and some other things including only being allowed to talk to the girl on the front desk regarding the report who was uncommital on everything from if we allowed them (we'd do it ourselves as in the past) to deoxidise front headlights ($200), how long their super dooper way of doing it would last (I asked 1 year or 4 years, just approx???) and so on. Few times she couldn't answer questions I asked like if they greased all the underneath 100% for sure did they also do the greasing in the Tire hubs/axle.

Said our brake pads have 6mm 50% but maybe should replace now, especially if driving in the mountains.

Anyways, we are taking her to Calgary Spring and Suspension on Monday, and owner on phone said, he'll drive it (no charge), in theory can almost guarantee with 200,000kms and 17 years our shocks do need replacing, but it might be as simple as just reducing tire pressure. Also mentioned Blisteins (Koni's likely too expensive for age rig but ....).

We will continue to do as much general maintenance, "non-mechanical" or "awkward" as possible ourselves, it's just I won't go underneath (apparently King Pin was good) and hubby can't lift or go under any more.

Thanks everyone, as always appreciate your sharing, caring natures.

[SomeDay]

Thanks to this forum and feedback which has been so helpful yet again and after watching a couple YouTubes - tomorrow (it appears 2 bolts each shock?) we're going under to have a look at the shocks ourselves. Just need to work out where we can get our blisteins here in Canada (have emailed company in Vancouver - essexdistributors.com, with VIN number asking if they can provide for our W22) Assume they are the B6's from what I've found info wise on line??

In addition we are off to the weigh scales tomorrow, then we are reducing tire pressures as advised and once all done will look into finding somewhere locally Calgary Alberta to do an alignment and casters at 5.5 to 6 Deg.

Thanks again all advice, always appreciated. We're also going to try and de-oxidise these awful plastic headlights that have yellowed again. Bring back glass LOL.

[CamJam1]

Most moho manufacturers used headlights from other cars and trucks. For example, my Dolphin headlights are from an early 2000s Chevy Silverado. Only $80 for a pair of new ones on EBay and 15 minutes per side to replace. For that price I decided it's not worth messing with the old ones any longer.

Those are some big bolts for the shocks so be prepared. I do almost all my own maintenance, and did rear shocks myself, but for the fronts I took it to a shop because I couldn't break the upper nuts loose on my Workhorse chassis.

[SomeDay]

Thanks Camjam for that So we are on severe wind warnings today. All good plans and that, but intending at some point to get out there and brave the elements so to speak as well for our daily walk (I'm diabetic and have COVID weight on so need get numbers down and it's working so far).

Hubby going look underneath today (he struggles nowadays bless him but ....), we have just been so disappointed over the years taking to so called official service places and always look for recommendations but it rarely turns out with a satisfaction on our part. Maybe we expect too much although we are clear up front what we need. Anyways, thanks again. Just waiting to hear back from Vancouver company on if can provide (apparently they are official for 25 years www.blisteinscanada.com) the right shocks for us. Off out to brave weather in next hour LOL.

[SomeDay]

Hoping someone can help and concur. So our shocks are black original ones underneath. Front ones have the O top and same bottom just turned about 90 Deg for fitting. Rear ones are O top and just straight peg down at bottom.

Contacted Fleetwood with VIN number 33369823 who gave me Workhorse contact Alabama who I spoke to and he said "I've driven Monroes and Bilsteins and can't tell the difference. Original shocks sound like they are the cheap Brazilian ones that weren't very good. You'd be better off with Monroes as they fit better whereas with the Bilsteins you'll need spacers as well".

I also called Bilsteins Ca manufacturer but he seemed very distracted and casual about distributors up in Canada (child in background screaming), and just gave me Essex Distributors who I'd emailed 27th and not heard back from and phoning goes to voicemail, maybe auto zone to try and 4 Wheel Parts. I'll get to work on those last two now.

Totally value your feedback here folks and if anyone can tell me where best to source up here in Canada and exactly what part numbers I need for front and rear I'd be very grateful.

We are comfortable trying to do this replacement and change out ourselves albeit I'm sure it'll be challenging with the fronts moreso than the rears.

Thanks again.