Koni shocks & Steering

[brianw8602]

Outstanding Chuck. Hopefully a permanent solution to your front end issues.

[Swerwin]

Koni has listed shock # Evo 99b-3234 as the new replacement shock for the 90-2890. Does anyone know if this is a "better" shock or just a more profitable for them replacement.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by Swerwin

Koni has listed shock # Evo 99b-3234 as the new replacement shock for the 90-2890. Does anyone know if this is a "better" shock or just a more profitable for them replacement.

Look at the two shocks, they are not the same. The shock you posted is not the same mount as the 90-2890 Our Entegra's have the mounts for the 90-2890 which are still current.

[rbr]

Henderson's Line-up folks also say the Evo 99B-3234 is the new recommendation for my coach - it is a different shock from the 90-2890. It does have the same bolt thru shock-hole mount on each end as my current Bilsteins, but diameter is much beefier. Non-adjustable.





_____________
Ron & Glenda (The Good Witch!)
2015 Entegra Anthem 42DEQ
2014 Grand Cherokee toad
(Posted via iOS App)

[rbr]

_____________
Ron & Glenda (The Good Witch!)
2015 Entegra Anthem 42DEQ
2014 Grand Cherokee toad
(Posted via iOS App)

[brobox]

Ron, nice to know, especially the beefier part. The earlier post that listed that shock did not look like the shock was the same mount.

[rbr]

First impression of my investment of time and money at Henderson's Line-Up today after just 45 interstate miles (but twisty, mountainous miles): very glad I went!

I had scheduled an appointment to get Koni shocks installed on the front and let them try to find the cause of what I considered constant/excessive side to side steering correction. On the test drive the tech who drives 10+ coaches per week commented what a quiet and good handling coach it was, but he could feel what I was talking about with the constant back and forth steering correction. Both he and the service writer said they get a lot of IFS coaches in their shop complaining of this issue and many of them are Freightliners as well as Spartans.

With the coach over a pit they ran a series of checks looking at all the joints and connections while someone twisted the steering wheel, first with engine down and then with engine power assist. I was able to watch this process and we all could see slack in a drag link connection. The nut on that connection was pinned with a cotter pin but was only hand tight, took two full rounds to pull it up. Since it was pinned it was almost surely that way from the factory but we don't know if the joint was always loose or loosened over time (but I think it's always been that way as the steering has always been the same).

Result: The steering input needed from side to side is less frequent, though still pretty busy, but the amount of steering wheel movement for those inputs is only maybe 10-15% of what it was. Very easy to drive.

As noted in previous posts the Koni's they put on were different from what others have used but the difference in hump and bump response is very nice and easily noticeable even by The Good Witch, and she normally doesn't pay any attention to such things. Have no idea whether they are contributing to the improved steering, since they corrected that loose drag link connection at the same time.

The staff were very professional and I have no hesitation recommending them if you need chassis work done in the Grant's Pass, OR area. They are a Spartan authorized shop and some of the work they did was paid for by Spartan under warranty.

Also - no hesitation recommending a Koni front shock upgrade for 2015 Anthem's.

Happy Camper today!

[jestal]

Finding a loose bolt/connection on the drag link is one of the most surprising things I have heard of!! It really makes you wonder how on earth that happened. And, more surprising that someone took the time and trouble to find it. Amazing find in my book!! That tech really desires a nice tip. I'm going to check mine also:-)

Reading this forum is really an education and creates more follow up projects.

[brobox]

Nice report Ron. My crooked steering wheel was also drag link adjustment. Amazing 4 shops could not find that until I called my shop in FL and asked what adjustment they did on my TS to center the wheel. After I passed that on, LD was able to almost center the wheel.
Nice to hear of a front end shop that just doesn't put it on a front end rack and hope for the best.....they actually look for a problem.

Thanks for correcting me on the new Koni shocks for the IFS.

Strange, a couple of sites with that part # still show a different shock, other show the correct shock. Be careful if ordering. http://www.ultrarvproducts.com/index...oni%2099B-3234

[Alangrissom]

Thanks Bro
Have you felt any improvement in handling when driving in wind or truck traffic

[Mwoodofd]

Where is the drag links? Is this only on the IFS, or is it part of the steering linkage? Something we can inspect?

[brobox]

Originally Posted by Alangrissom

Thanks Bro
Have you felt any improvement in handling when driving in wind or truck traffic

Yes. Any deviation before and I was correcting the steering wheel. That is now pretty much gone. But I did not have much of a problem with trucks before. It is my opinion the under rated Bilstens were constantly moving and not dampening the road or wind changes....therefore constant play in the steering wheel. JMO but I am very pleased with the results.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by Mwoodofd

Where is the drag links? Is this only on the IFS, or is it part of the steering linkage? Something we can inspect?

Mark, that is something I would Google with your front end type. You might find some answers from front end experts. I know it part of the steering linkage, but that is all I know.

[Mwoodofd]

Mine has the play that several here have described. I grease all the linkages in the steering, and if something is not tight, but held by a pin, that makes sense. I think the DVD has the front end and steering diagrams - will take a look. Hope it is that easy. I am trying to get into Spartan in September for my 3 year inspection.