Shocks...Shocking news...I am shocked

[Slantsixness]

Sent: 6/16/2005

Now that I have your attention,

I cannot buy bilstein shocks for my winnie. Sure.... go ahead.... they list them.....NOT!

I have a 1972 Brave. I DO NOT have a sway bar, or the relocated front shocks like you lucky guys with '73 up Winnies.

The question. Has anyone else ran into this, and do the '74 up Bilstiens actually fit the '67-72 or am I stuck with Monroe's, at least on the front? That would really stink since there's such a difference in the ride contro with bilsteins....

So.... any ideas?Huh?

[Slantsixness]

Sent: 6/16/2005

Nobody's run into this before?Huh??? Come on folks! I can't be the only guy with a '72 that's got this dilemma!!!!

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Sent: 6/17/2005

I wish I could help you, since mine is a 72...but we elected not to bother replacing the shocks at this time.  I have no idea what brand are currently on the Ark, but I do know that she rides pretty nice.  The ones we have obviously aren't original, since they aren't rusted to peices, and are for the most part painted black, with the paint being 90% intact.  I'm guessing someone replaced them in the late 80s.

I'm sort of torn on my opinion of this.  I've put great shocks on VWs, and they work great.  But...are we even going to notice the variance on our big loaded down heavy rigs?  I'm thinking that even if we took our shocks off, there wouldn't be much of a difference.

Kev

[MSN Member]

From: SeaRaySRV16O
Sent: 6/18/2005

I put Monroe's all around front & rear. Get the NAPA/Monroe version of the Gas Magnum, cost me 'bout $28 each as I recall. Even comes in Monroe yellow & in a box that ID's it as a Monroe.

Regards,

Robert Donley
Jenison, MI

[Oz]

Sent: 6/19/2005

Kevin,

     I busted the bucks for the Bilsteins and installed them prior to putting on the Air Lift system and drove it.  A HUGE difference right off the bat.  Figure, these rigs have been driving and sitting with all that weight on them for around 30 years.  What happens to your belly after it's been driving and sitting around for 30 years?  Take a look down... can you see your feet?  If so, then you have low miles.  If not, you may need some shock...ing to get it firm again too.

     The wear on the leaf springs may not be so much from the amount of miles driven as from having the tonnage constantly pressing down on them all these years,  in order to forstall the inevitable effects of weight and gravity, I suggest that, during periods of extended non-use, raise the body and put it on jack stands to reduce the weight on the suspension components.  If you're still running around on antiquated shocks, get the cost efficient Monroes and you will certainly notice the difference.

- ShockedSob 

[denisondc]

Sent: 6/19/2005

My shocks are original as far as I know, were already rusty when I bought the RV in 91. I am sure they are useless. I am happy with the ride though, and the handling, etc. Why should I spend money to see if it improves, when I like it as it is now? If gasoline drops down below $1 a gallon perhaps I will buy a set of shocks.

[Slantsixness]

Sent: 6/22/2005

They do not make bilstein's for my front axle. My only choice is the run-of -the-mill monroes, but heck...even monroes will be better than 33 year old relics!

Now to find someone who carries these things... seems that NAPA doesn't stock them anymore and the numbers (555012 and 555013 for my '72) don't come up on the computer, even though they're in the Napa and Monroe books.

Found them in PA for $8 shipping. Still looking locally.

Tom

[Slantsixness]

Sent: 6/23/2005

For all of us NAPA auto parts fans. These shocks (555012 & 555013) are no longer carried in the NAPA branded packages, according to my local NAPA guys. They can't even look them up anymore. That's kinda sad, considering the NAPA shocks are just Monroes packaged for NAPA.

I bought the Monroe's from Stengel Bros. Inc. in Northeast PA www.stengelbros.com. They were only $25.10 and $24.91 each. Cheapest I found! They also carry the air lift bags, Timbren Kits and a whole host of suspension goodies... Shipping was under $8 and only 2 days to VA from PA.

I think it was a fair deal for mediocre shocks. Would have bought Bilstiens if I could have.

For what it's worth, I looked at Gabriel shocks, too...but they don't make them for a '68-72 either.

ShockedTom (I hope they get here by friday...!)

[Slantsixness]

Sent: 7/6/2005

The monroe's got here. Sad to say that I couldn't get Bilsiens, but it's better than the 33 year old mopar originals!

Went on easy enough... boy that left front shock is close to my new master cylinder! (remember Smurfy is a 72 M300, without front sway bar, that's why)

part numbers.....
1968-1972
555013 is for the FRONT
555012 is for the REAR

73-up M300/RM350/M400/M375 etc...
555011 front
555012 rear
and you can get bilstiens for these (they have a front sway bar)

I could have used Bilstiens on the rear, but I figured if I can't have all the good stuff, it would be best to use the same mediocre parts all around.
In this case, Monroe's were the only option for correct shock travel and size, etc.

And they did get there on Friday...

Tom

[bluebird]

Sent: 5/4/2008

I checked on prices for the monroe magnum shocks for my p30 gm chassis. They seam to run around 70.00 each, for my coach. I just replaced my front airbags and installed gas gabriel shocks on the front. I found the rear shocks on ebay for 26.00 for the pair, and 30.00 each for the front from autozone. Anybody use the gabriel shocks? I've used them before on cars and had good luck with them.

Chuck

[tiinytina]

Sent: 5/5/2008

I used the shockwarehouse.com and they didn't seem to have the monroes but I think did have free shipping so I went with the bilstiens for rear and steering and Airlift 1000 bags for the front coil springs.  I've put Monroes on 2 cars and not had issues with them. I'm running "Nitro" shocks on my Tacoma at the moment after adding hellcreek suspension 4 bar rear springs ... we broke a spring hauling so heavy all of the time... Nitros have given her a good ride though her rear is now up in the air a bit....

where do I buy the mounting bolts for the shocks? The old bolts are corroded and I doubt can be reused? The new ones didn't come with any mounting hardware and an email to shockwarehouse has gone unanswered.

Tina

[JDxeper]

Sent: 5/5/2008

Tina, if they are regular shock bolts, they are standard at any parts store, just ask for shock bolts, should run aroung $6.00 each with bushings and all.  Now the but, mine on the front are not standard.   they are bolts and bushing welded to the frame. But take a look at the parts store and good luck.  by the way mine is a dodge chassis, not a gm, kev also may have an idea and source.

[tiinytina]

Sent: 5/26/2008

Ok whoever invented and wrote the deinstall and install directions for Airlift 1000's was a @$#%%#^%^$#&^%$#^ !!!! 5+ hours for 2.... don't have a single square inch of skin on either hand that is not bruised, cut, or scraped.... Go buy stock in Band-Aide and Neosporine! jeepers.

Lets put a 4" diameter piece of plastic through a 2" hole!

While under doing that I discovered Gone has secondary shocks hidden in the fuselage on the front... fortunately they are simply bolted on though I haven't tried to unbolt the old ones yet

Shock warehouse sent me the wrong steering stabilizer shock so old one is out and new one from local place is on order... I can move the old one in and out  so I'm guessing a new one will be good!

ok back to it....and no.. I didn't begin to tackle the rear ones at all...
Tina

[tiinytina]

Sent: 5/29/2008

OK... So... $250 for 2 bilstiens for the rear, stabilizer shock and airlift 1000, $140 for real stabilizer shock and 2 monroe front wheel shocks... 5+ hours of labor for the airlift done by me... and 5+ hours of labor done by 2 mechanics to get the 4 wheel shocks in..(it involved welding, air tools, cutting etc.(who ever designed the P30 chassis should be shot)...).  Fortunately the mechanics are friends and though only want $125 to do the job I'm kicking in $200 and a couple pans of lasagna.... oiy... But... wow! what a difference a day makes... Now she doesn't feel as though she is going to keel over going around a turn, bumps are now bouncy as opposed to going "THUD"... yea!

We were going to take her out this weekend for a test run but now there are severe T-Storms predicted for saturday night and the area we camp is the "tornado alley" for MD... so we'll see... Definitely need some RR away from house and RV work at this point!

Tina

[bluebird]

Sent: 5/29/2008

All p30 chassis must not be the same. The front shocks only took me 1/2 for the pair, I haven't done the rear yet, but I have looked at them. They just have bolts that run thru some eyelets. Don't imagine it'll take any longer that it did for the front. NOW the air bags was another story. I ended up putting the airbags over the registers in my kitchen, and turned up the heat. Liked to burned up my wife, BUT I got those buggers twisted up tight enough to screw them through those little holes. Heck getting the old ones out was a major job in itself. No wonder why the rv dealer wanted $500.00 to install them. I ended up using a sawsall with a extra long wood blade and cut the old ones out. Still was a job. My hands are healed up nicely now. I went with gabriel shocks. With just the front done made a world of difference. Most of the squeaks and rattles disappeared, and it handles much like my old Itasca.
Chuck

[MSN Member]

From: olhillbilly31
Sent: 5/29/2008

so are you all puttig bags on them to help carry more weight, or to smooth out the ride...

[MSN Member]

Sent: 5/29/2008

Billy,these internal coil spring air bags where installed by the manufacturer's of motorhomes.
They helped correct the weight that the chassis had to put up with.
The real way to fix the front end is to replace the factory coil springs with stronger(bigger coil)springs.
Now you have don't have to worry about the bags and their air pressure.Out board air bags (springs)work better when they are mounted on the chassis,axel and do not have any spring contact.

[MSN Member]

From: olhillbilly31
Sent: 5/30/2008

ahhhhhh ok... i guess i will find ut today if my old southwind needs shocks... leaving here by about 2:30 i hope.... have a great weekend

[tiinytina]

Sent: 6/1/2008

ah... hindsight.... I thought about heating them (air lift bags) up after i had done them... ah well... my various scabs are almost all healed...  The ride was soooo much nicer, the rig bounces over train tracks etc now instead of going "thunk"... stuff rattles lots less as well...

Pat was thinking the steering was still not up to par and thinking about welding on a second bracket for a second steering shock... I have no clue if this is possible, or even advisable? there is a lot of play in the steering wheel... but no clue if this is normal or not as this is the only bus I have driven....

Also... since the Shock Warehouse wants a 20% restocking fee  and I'll have to pay to ship it back... so up for grabs Monroe P344A (555944 model) steering shock... it supposedly fits a P30 chassis... just not mine. So if you want to pay shipping its yours.....email me mdcitrus@att.net

Tina

[intofire1]

Hi,
I spent the $$ and installed Bilstein shocks on my MH this past weekend. Was easier than it look. But I did my home work be reading all the information here be for I jump in. The ride is well worth the money. Still playing with the air bags pressure. I get it right with a little practice.
Thanks for the info. Gil