Results for "Bilstein"

I walked into my first Class A motorhome ownership with zero experience and my 2022 Jayco Precept Prestige 36H on an F53 chassis rides like I'm driving over constant speed bumps. This 3-year-old coach with 15,000 miles beats us to death on every interstate joint and bridge transition - it's honestly brutal and making long trips miserable. I've already added Sumos on the front and Timbrens on the rear, which helped somewhat with roll/sway, but I'm still getting hammered by road imperfections while blueoxing my Honda CRV.

I keep hearing conflicting advice about gas shocks versus other options, proper tire pressures, and suspension upgrades. What actually works to smooth out these bone-jarring impacts? I need real solutions that will make a noticeable difference in ride comfort, not just minor tweaks. Has anyone successfully tamed an F53's harsh ride? …more

Before spending hundreds on new tires and suspension parts for my 2023 Ford E-450 Class C motorhome, the ride quality is still absolutely brutal. The RV is about 28 feet long and weighs approximately 14,500 pounds loaded. We use it primarily for family camping trips, but I also occasionally tow a small utility trailer with dirt bikes - probably 25% of our trips involve towing that extra 2,000-3,000 pounds.

I've been researching shock absorber upgrades and have narrowed it down to two main options that seem popular in the RV community: the Bilstein 4600 series and the Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shocks. I understand both are significant improvements over stock, but I'm trying to understand the practical differences between them for my specific setup and usage patterns.

What I really need to know is which option provides the best balance of ride comfort improvement, handling stability (especially when towing), and overall value for money on the E-450 chassis. I want to make sure I'm making the right choice since this is a fairly significant investment and I don't want to have buyer's remorse later. …more

Walked out to our 2017 Ford E450 Class C this morning and noticed dangerous washboard-like tire cupping on the front right - is this safe with grandkids aboard? Left side is starting to join the party too. Here's the weird part though - this beast still tracks straight as an arrow, no steering wheel shimmy, turns fine, and when I jack it up the tire doesn't wiggle around like a loose tooth.

I'm scratching my head because everything LOOKS fine. Suspension components seem solid, shocks aren't leaking like my wallet at RV parks. But could the shocks actually be shot at only 36,000 miles? And more importantly - if I just slap new tires on this thing without fixing the root cause, am I just going to end up with expensive cupped tires again? …more

Looked everywhere and my F-53 chassis is still showing 2.1 inches of body roll with quad shocks installed, but forums claim it should be under 1 inch. As a former high school auto mechanics instructor with 35 years of experience, I've carefully considered the shock design challenges in RV suspension.

I installed additional shocks after discovering that shock suppliers list a single shock design for F-53 chassis ranging from 16,000 to 26,000 lbs. I used Koni shocks ($170 each) and supplemented with Monroe shocks ($75 each) for additional dampening.

Installation required 10" bottom bolts and modified top mounting. I used hardened washers to prevent shock cover contact. Total bolt modification cost was approximately $18.

Completed a 30-mile test drive with no apparent harshness or negative handling characteristics. The suspension feels more controlled during normal driving conditions, but this limited test may not reveal the full performance picture.

What's the recommended approach for thoroughly evaluating quad shock performance on the F-53 platform? Specifically looking for guidance on testing duration, road conditions to assess, and key performance indicators to monitor during the break-in period. …more

Standing in front of my 2022 Fleetwood Frontier 36ss after following every YouTube tutorial on fixing body roll, I somehow made the swaying and corner instability even worse. The difference is really noticeable compared to my previous RV, a 2016 Itasca 34H that had Bilstein shocks and handled much more smoothly with minimal body roll.

I'm considering investing about $1200 in Koni shocks as an upgrade, thinking they might solve this handling issue. However, I want to make sure I'm spending my money on the right solution. Will upgrading to Koni shocks actually reduce the body roll I'm experiencing, or should I be looking at other suspension modifications? I'd hate to spend that much money and not see a significant improvement in the handling characteristics that are bothering me most. …more

About six months after installing new Koni shocks, my Tiffin's front suspension is STILL porpoising, bottoming out on big bumps, AND creating handling nightmares.

I'm worried this could be dangerous or cause damage to other components. Before I take it back to the dealer again, I want to make sure I understand all my options. Are there additional upgrades beyond just the Koni shocks that can help? I've heard mixed things about Sumo Springs but wasn't sure if they'd work with this ZF setup. Also concerned there might be other worn components contributing to the problem that I should have checked. …more

I woke up determined to fix my 2024 Fleetwood Bounder 35K's ride quality — adjusted tire pressure, checked alignment, swapped sway bar links — but it still bounces like a trampoline. The thing rides like a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail - every bump feels like we're crossing the Continental Divide!

I keep hearing about Koni FSD and Bilstein shocks as upgrades, but I'm wondering if they're actually worth it or just RV snake oil. Are these brands really that much better than whatever factory shocks came on this beast? And more importantly, what kind of financial damage am I looking at to stop feeling like I'm in a paint mixer every time we hit the road? …more

I tried ignoring the rough ride, but my 2016 F53 chassis is 8 years old and the Bilstein shocks and Dana Spicer 17060S are clearly wearing out — service or replace? I've got 87,000 miles on the clock and I'm honestly frustrated because I keep second-guessing myself on when to tackle these big maintenance items.

The original shocks are still working, but after 9 years should I be proactive about replacing them with Bilsteins? And what about the Dana Spicer 17060S differential - I'm overdue on time but under the mileage recommendation for a fluid change. I've been putting this off for months because I can't decide if it's really necessary yet.

I really need someone to tell me straight up - is this the right time to bite the bullet on both the shock replacement and differential service, or am I jumping the gun? The uncertainty is driving me crazy and I just want to do right by this rig. …more