Shock Absorbers Again May 01, 2016, 12:09:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 160208We have about 53,000 miles on our 06. In the next couple of months we plan on stopping at Henderson's in Oregon and have them check the steering and suspension components and I have been thinking that I might just go ahead and replace the shocks. Of course, I can't tell by ride whether the original Ford shocks need to be replaced or not and I haven't gotten under to see if there are any signs of leaks.I would love to make the ride more comfortable if possible and was considering the Bilstein Comforts. I thought that Koni sold a "comfort" shock as well but can't seem to find it now. I guess though it is only the Koni FSD.We have no complaints with the handling of our 30' and have no add on steering components front or rear. It is stock.I have searched and looked at comments regarding shocks but thought I would throw this out there and see if anyone has any new info?Jim C
Re: Shock Absorbers Again Reply #1 – May 01, 2016, 12:52:07 pm Yahoo Message Number: 160209Henderson's put the Konis on ours, and the ride was improved- better damping, no increase in harshness- over our original 24 year old, 36000 mile original equipment shocks. I know that is quite different than yours, but the fact we did not see any noticeable degradation of the smooth ride was what made me happy, and speaks well for the Konis. We had a lot of other tweaks and upgrades that made the LD behave like a modern coach. Trust what Henderson's advise, but they do like to upsell! In our case, it was more than a sane person would invest in a 24 year old coach, but I am quite pleased, so a good deal all around.
Re: Shock Absorbers Again Reply #2 – May 01, 2016, 01:06:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 160210http://www.konirv.com/nextstep.cfm?Model=18BILSTEIN B6I have standard Bilsteins my 2003 TK; this is the second set, replaced at about 50k, because the front bushings disintegrated on the first set and the boots on the rear shocks were torn. No problems (so far) with this set at 94k, but I check the bushings and boots frequently.I know that many prefer the softer ride of the "comfort" style Bilstein; I'm used to the "firm" ride, but if I were to change shocks, I'd strongly consider the Konis, primarily because they are "bootless".As ever, YMMV.Joan
Re: Shock Absorbers Again Reply #3 – May 02, 2016, 10:58:41 am Yahoo Message Number: 160226Thanks Joan. I was originally thinking that the Koni's would be the way to go then I read this. Granted it is a report from 2009 and it is from Motorhome Mag which apparently isn't well regarded but it appears to be a balanced comparison.Shock Therapy: RV Shock Absorber TestJim C
Re: Shock Absorbers Again Reply #4 – May 02, 2016, 12:05:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 160229JimThe test you referred to was comparing shocks on big diesel pushers and isn't a good comparison with our lightweight Class Cs. I know several who has spent the big bucks for the Koni's and have been happy, saying the ride, compared to the Bilsteins, is much improved, harshness wise. While I have not tried a Koni shock, on our LD, I have experimented with both the Standard and Comfort Bilsteins, looking for the best combination for our rig.. Presently, our 23'5' E450 FL has the Standards on the front and Comforts on the rear, a good combination for the lighter, 23.5' and 24' models. 26.5' and longer LDs will be better served with the Standards in the rear, due to the increased weight.FYI, the Bilstein Comforts provide a ride similar to the stock Ford shock. The advantage of the Bilsteins is a much higher build quality and very long life, as long as the top bushings are kept tight. Damaged bushings can be replaced.Larry
Re: Shock Absorbers Again Reply #5 – May 02, 2016, 01:03:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 160234Jim, I don't have any shock specs for comparisons or actual ride experience aside from the Bilsteins on my own rig, but it seems to me that there's a huge difference (literally!)between the test vehicle that MotorHome mag used and any model of LD. ;-) Based on that difference (and that I think that there have been design upgrades on both Konis and Bilsteins in the past 7 years), I don't know how accurate their test results might be for our applications.I had only two complaints about the Bilsteins, i.e., the bushings on the front shocks compressed and "chunked" off, and the boots on the rear shocks tore. According to the frame/suspension shop (a local outfit with a good reputation) which replaced the shocks, the rears had been "incorrectly installed" (at the LD factory before delivery) and the boots were repeatedly "pinched" until they ripped.Bilstein has changed the bushing material in the past few years; I am pretty sure that it's a tough polyurethane rather whatever they used that didn't hold up. (Past posts on this topic.) So far, so good!Joan
Re: Shock Absorbers Again Reply #6 – May 02, 2016, 04:16:15 pm Yahoo Message Number: 160239Thanks Larry and Joan. At this point, if I do replace them will likely give the Koni's a try and will update this on what we think.Jim C
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Topic: Shock Absorbers Again (Read 43 times)
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