Yahoo Message Number: 6232 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6232)
OK, thanks to your help and a little sleuthing, here's what I have figured out. First, the tire pressure is correct, that is not the issue. CC says the Continentals are only 3/8" larger, but this thing is riding (either) 2" high in the front, or 2" low in the rear, easy. There's definitely a ride level adjustment problem here.
It also has the Gabriels on the front and they are definitely not up to the job. Is Koni the only alternative? Why do you need adjustable shocks at additional expense when you're going to set and forget anyway.
I had Bilsteins on my last rig and liked them a lot. Any idea what the Koni's cost? Isn't the factory going to be a very high priced place to buy them? Does anyone know the Koni part number?
Thanks.
Yahoo Message Number: 6233 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6233)
From: "mainecoons0" dhhouck@...>
(snip) > Why do you need
adjustable shocks at additional expense when you're going to set and forget anyway.
As far as I know ... Koni shocks are adjustable to accomodate wear ... not adjustable for the application, as were the adjustable Rancho shocks I installed on our old Dodge Ram pickup. I'd set them at "1" when I wasn't towing and "5" when I was (if memory serves). To adjust the Ranchos, I simply turned a knob. To adjust the Koni shocks, you disconnect one end, turn it as specified in the instructions, and re-connect. And do the same for both sides.
Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfr: 11/97
Yahoo Message Number: 6239 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6239)
In spite of what Country Coach says, I'd measure the tire diameters on the Continentials vs the Toyos and make sure that they are "3/8" taller...my suspicions are that they are more like 1 to 2 inches taller if you have the H series Continentials..anyway, if you don't have a slide they may have sent you the lower profile Continentials and if so they might only be 3/8 inches taller. If so, you can take a quick measurement at the wheel wells to verify your thoughts about it riding high in the front and if true, take a look at the front air ride first and make sure it's close to correct height. Someone might have tried to compensate for the bad Gabriels with a stiffer air ride????..
Good luck.
Ray and Rue
1999 36ft 30322 Allure
here.
up
and
Yahoo Message Number: 6247 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6247)
OK, I do have a slide and I will check the tire diameters. I have to say that just looking at them, the Continentals look a lot bigger.
I'm going to deal with this whole issue first by putting better shocks on and then by making sure this coach rides level.
CC suggests I raise the rear 3/4" over spec to compensate.
Dan
diameters
are "3/8"
don't
Continentials
take a
it
might
have
the
not
what
priced
Yahoo Message Number: 6256 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6256)
Dan,
I would start by getting the same diameter tires all the way around. The difference is more than 3/8", and this will also affect your leveling "travel" distance. Once this is done then I would get the latest ride height specs and have it done.
Ride height is something I have done myself, and back in 1998/1999 we use to set the front 1/2" lower than the specs if we had a "tracking" complaint.
Setting ride height, we had a bay with pits so you could "walk" under the coachs. What I did was start the engine, then spend about 20 minutes under the coach. The bottom of the ride height arms had a rubber gromet that slid on a metal male nipple. I would adjust the rear and set the measurement. Then to check it I would slide the lower rubber gromets off the male nipples and drop them down, this would dump the air from the bags. Then I would slide them back on, coach would go back to ride height, and then re-measure & re- adjust. I would do this approx 4 times till it was dailed in. Then I would do the same up front. Sometimes it required a bit of WD-40 on the lower grommets.
Now this is NOT something you can do at home in your driveway, you need a pit to play it safe.
Good Luck,
Damon
Yahoo Message Number: 6258 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6258)
Damon, you do have a pit in your yard, don't you??
Note that my post said that you might want to find someone that you really don't like to do it for you...
affect
get
about
the
Then
Yahoo Message Number: 6262 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6262)
Yeah, its right next to the wash rack & 4 point scales... I have a few people in mind for the ride height too ;-).
Damon
you
1998/1999
had
the
this
on,
40
you
Yahoo Message Number: 6269 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6269)
Damon,
When you did this, what mode was the coach in; parking brake on or off? Transmission in neutral or drive: engine running or stopped with tanks charged? Obviously, with brake off, transmission in drive and engine running, the vehicle would have to be well chocked. What did you use for this? From what I can make out, unless most of the aforementioned conditions are met, the "Travel" mode is not reached.
Any comments would help.
2000 Intrigue #11066
Peter A Harrison
1-800-274-5245
1-260-482-6321 Voice
1-260-483-3653 Fax
Yahoo Message Number: 6278 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6278)
I adjust the ride height on my Magna at Petro when I get it serviced.
They let me go down in the pit and even help me do it (I tip the guy who helps me). I have to readjust them twice a yeat at least. I don't know why they won't stay put. I suspect it is the valves. All three have failed, two in waranty. These #$%&&*&%$ thimgs have caused me a lot of grief. jerry in NM, '00 Magna.
Yahoo Message Number: 6280 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6280)
Jerry, could you describe what valve failure looks like? I looked under mine yesterday and noticed the rear passenger side valve is adjusted all the way up, very little room to raise more. Yet the coach is riding too low in the back and sloped that way as well.
But the leveling system works perfectly. Would you say the valve has failed?
If you are in Albuquerque, so am I. let's talk. I'm at 890-0310.
Dan
Allure #30180
serviced.
guy
don't
three
a
Yahoo Message Number: 6293 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6293)
Dan, I answered this once and it got lost in cyberspace I guess. I'll try again. (I'm ususlly parked in Williamsburg (T or C) when I'm not on the road.)
The failed valve does run out of adjusment and eventually the air bags defate. I could hear air leaking out of one of my failed valves.
I had a valve replaced at Cummins in Alb. on Broadway. They are pricey but it beats risking your life working under there. jerry in NM, '00 Magna.
Yahoo Message Number: 6294 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6294)
Jerry from what I understand, the valve replacement is a simple operation and the valves are available from truck parts suppliers, they are used on many trucks. I'm sure my guy could install one properly for a lot less than you were charged.
This may also be related to the fact they put the oldest tires on this side when they did the tire retrofit. They are a lot more worn than the others, I'm going to change them first, and the shocks, and then try to adjust the ride height properly.
Thanks.
I'll
not
valves.
in
Yahoo Message Number: 6303 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6303)
Peter,
Parking brake off, parked in a level bay with wheels chocked. Trans in neutral, & engine running. We had some purchased wheel chocks, big heavy duty truck type. The travel (green) light/mode has to be lit up on the HWH leveling panel.
Once I got the measurement adjusted (on top of the arm), I would check by removing the lower (non-adjustable) arms off the male nipple, bring the arm down which deflated the bag, then lift it up and slide it back on the nipple and measure. I found this to be the most accurate way. It took 3 or 4 times to get each one set, but when it was set it seemed to last.
Damon
Yahoo Message Number: 6305 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6305)
--
Dan:
The same problem occured on my coach. . After replacing the left side and traveling several thousand miles with a significant difference in the positioning of the arms the second valve failed. I did an autopsy on the valve. I actuall sent pictures of the failed components to CC.
No response. They don't make them. The parts are a combination of nylon type material and just plain plastic. Over time the lubricants get stif and abrupt shocks seem to take a toll. I hit many rough roads in Newfoundland and the other on a trip south. I may have just been looking for a scape goat but . The interesting thing I found however at the FMCA convention was how many different types of ride height valves are used.
Point to be taken ..... They should look very similar in angle and position
James M. Green Intrigue 2000
- In Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com), "mainecoons0" wrote:
Yahoo Message Number: 6310 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6310)
Thanks Damon. If only CC provided such clear and practical instructions in their literature... Oh, sorry, I was just day dreaming ;-)
Britannia Inc.,
Peter A Harrison
1-800-274-5245
1-260-482-6321 Voice
1-260-483-3653 Fax
Yahoo Message Number: 6325 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/6325)
I, too, have gone through 3 ride height control valves including a complete failure on the left rear that allowed the frame to contact the tire and ruin it. Not to mention all the molten rubber it sprayed onto the radiator and my tow car! Another time when one of the valves failed while crossing some railroad tracks, I hit bottom so hard the stove cover flew off and broke. After about six adjustments, I told the tech to raise the front end 2 inches and to heck with the specs (or words to that effect). I did not hit bottom anymore but my tires started to wear badly on the outside on a 1500 mile trip so I lowered it an inch and had the front end realigned. So far for the last 5000 miles I have been a happy camper.
Ken Johnson
Magna 00
S/N5811