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howdja · 03-01-2012, 12:02 PM

After much research and reading about shock brand choices, I made a decision to go with Koni FSD's to replace the oem shocks. The Bilsteins were totally worn out with only 12,000 miles on them.

The installation was relatively easy. I used a 1 1/8 ' deep well socket, combination wrench, breaker bar, 2 foot pipe for additional leverage and a 1/2" impact air gun @ 120 psi. Once I broke the nuts loose with the breaker bar and pipe extension, I was able to use the impact gun to remove the nuts. I used the impact gun to install the nuts on the new shocks.

My initial test drive was very encouraging. No more porpoising on dips, or curves. A more stable feeling while driving. I don't know how much the rough ride will be improved on rough roads, but any improvement will be welcome.

JimM68 · 03-01-2012, 12:45 PM

Very good, and congrats.

One question though, were the old shocks yellow on the too, or blue?
Monroe's generally dowear out quickly, they are blue on to, yelllow on the bottom.
Bilstiens are all yellow, generally don't wearout, and have alifetime warrantee.

Wizard · 03-01-2012, 12:52 PM

Congrats, hope they do better for you than they did for me. Ride quality didn't improve at all for me. I thought my Bilstiens was worn out but not sure now. Hard to bounce the MH up and down like the car.

Can't hurt anything though.

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-01-2012, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard

Can't hurt anything though.

But the wallet. I have seen a few unhappy campers with the F53 chassis. Not us. Our ride is comfortable.

bronk · 03-01-2012, 01:51 PM

I seriously doubt that Bilstein shocks "wear out" at 12,000 miles. I have used them for years on Corvettes, motor homes and other vechicles have never had an issue with wear at this low mileage (12,000 miles). They are an excellent shock, in my opinion, and although stock on the Ford MH chassis, I think that they do a great job.

Bronk

Mike Canter · 03-01-2012, 04:28 PM

Bilstein shocks are also used on UPS vans and last for over 100k miles. My guess is you have confused an all yellow Monroe as a Bilstein shock which is a very common mistake. I have never seen a Bilstein go bad and I have them on both my Wrangler and my BMW and have 10 of them on my current mh and had them on my last mh. I rate the life of a Mini and a Bilstein as the same.

howdja · 03-01-2012, 05:32 PM

The shocks I removed were Bilsteins for certain. I was able to compress them and decompress them by hand relatively easily. I agree that all the previous Bilsteins I have had experience with (extensive off roading) gave excellent performance. But this set was definitely very weak. I didn't even consider a warranty claim, mainly because I didn't think of it. I had considered another set of Bilsteins as replacements, but as I said, decided to go with Koni.

But I think I will be satisfied with the Koni FSD's. At any rate, it's done and one more item I can check off my to do list.

Jim_HiTek · 03-01-2012, 05:32 PM

There once was a RV OEM that used Bilsteins and if all that reading I did is to be believed, they were pretty poor shocks. Like most OEM shocks on cars. The aftermarket Bilsteins seem to be all the above posters claim. Perhaps not as good as those special Koni's made for RVs that everyone raves about, but for us with thinner wallets, a good buy, and good product. Lifetime replacement guaranty.

howdja · 03-02-2012, 04:06 PM

[QUOTE=Jim_HiTek; but for us with thinner wallets, [/QUOTE]

Yeah, my wallet is thinner now

. But I decided if I as going to the trouble of installing the shocks, I wanted what I felt was the best shock. I had to consider the cost, as we are on a fixed income. But after spending $45.00 to put 12 gallons of gas in my Tacoma, I kind of figured the extra cost would only be a couple of tanks of gas, so decided to splurge.

Sigh

, I remember buying gas for 9 cents a gallon during one of the frequent gas wars that occurred many years ago. I filled up my 1950 chevy for $1.50

. Normal price was in the 15 to 20 cent per gallon range. And you could do a weeks shopping for less than $15.00. But I was only making 85 cents an hour. Have to keep that in perspective.

At any rate, shocks are on, ride is improved, wallet is thinner and my to do list is one item shorter!

.