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vseasport · 04-12-2021, 06:42 AM

My air ride, I beam custom XC Freightliner chassis is 17 years old now. It only has 36,000 miles but I figured it was time to change the shocks. The Konis ordered will be here today so I climbed under to remove the old "tuned Sachs". Reading about the procedure others have warned to be careful because they are under pressure. Well, not these babies. They were dead as a door nail and could be pulled in and out by hand like an accordion.

So, I have adjusted the ride hight (easy peasy), changed all the ani sway bar bushings and today shocks all around. Can't wait to take her on the road to see the improvement .

I welcome suggestions on other suspension things that should be addressed. Next week we will depart for a 4 month cross country adventure.

arcaguy · 04-12-2021, 06:53 AM

I would also check the tie rod ends and kingpins/ball joints for play and make sure the rubber boots on them are in good shape. That and a little grease in every grease fitting. Don't forget any in the driveline. Good luck and safe travels.

FIRE UP · 04-13-2021, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vseasport

My air ride, I beam custom XC Freightliner chassis is 17 years old now. It only has 36,000 miles but I figured it was time to change the shocks. The Konis ordered will be here today so I climbed under to remove the old "tuned Sachs". Reading about the procedure others have warned to be careful because they are under pressure. Well, not these babies. They were dead as a door nail and could be pulled in and out by hand like an accordion.

So, I have adjusted the ride hight (easy peasy), changed all the ani sway bar bushings and today shocks all around. Can't wait to take her on the road to see the improvement .

I welcome suggestions on other suspension things that should be addressed. Next week we will depart for a 4 month cross country adventure.

Well,
You say you have a "17 year old XC chassis" but, not what kind of coach, make/model etc. I just did a thread on replacing my air bags on our "17 year old, 2004 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP. We presently have 97K miles on it. The front air bag was severely leaking so, I hopped on it and it was not very fun but, I got it done. Then, I found the other three had some leaks too. So, if your coach is "17" years old, if I were you, I'd get back under it with your trusty soap and water spray bottle and spray away, all around those air bags.

As for the "tuned Sachs" (I don't recall seeing the word "Tuned" when I open the DTNA Connect website and go to my particular build and look for the shock part numbers. And, while I was doing the air bag work, I too decided to check out our shocks. I yanked a rear one off and it's as stiff moving as a brand new one. It is not weak and worn out, by any stretch. The coach handles dips and bumps just fine. I get no sway and no wandering, no continual bounce after negotiating larger dips.
Scott

vseasport · 04-14-2021, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Well,
You say you have a "17 year old XC chassis" but, not what kind of coach, make/model etc. I just did a thread on replacing my air bags on our "17 year old, 2004 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP. We presently have 97K miles on it. The front air bag was severely leaking so, I hopped on it and it was not very fun but, I got it done. Then, I found the other three had some leaks too. So, if your coach is "17" years old, if I were you, I'd get back under it with your trusty soap and water spray bottle and spray away, all around those air bags.

As for the "tuned Sachs" (I don't recall seeing the word "Tuned" when I open the DTNA Connect website and go to my particular build and look for the shock part numbers. And, while I was doing the air bag work, I too decided to check out our shocks. I yanked a rear one off and it's as stiff moving as a brand new one. It is not weak and worn out, by any stretch. The coach handles dips and bumps just fine. I get no sway and no wandering, no continual bounce after negotiating larger dips.
Scott

Scott, My rig is an 04 38' Phaeton with CAT 3126 330HP. The air bags appear to be in very good shape with no cracks and don't leak air. It lived in Montana until 2 years ago when we purchased it. All the rubber underneath looks good so maybe that climate is easier on things. That said my airbags are Firestone and I question if that was OEM. The service records seem complete but if they were changed there is no receipt. There was record of changing the right front and rear wheel seal and last year I had to change the left front. There is an age factor but with just 36,000 miles I thought that was odd.

The Tiffin information states "Tuned shocks". I noted it in my post because it cracked me up. Anyhow I changed the front and the old ones were shot. Today I will tackle the rear. I don't know the condition of the old rear yet but replacement Koni are sitting here.