Yahoo Message Number: 28493 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28493)
Has any one had experience with Koni shocks. I have a '94 Magna and in need for front shocks. I contacted Gillig and found the Koni was installed new. When I bought the motorcoach used it had Monroe's and the performance is a little on the loose side. Interested if anyone has any experience with the Koni shock.
Walt '94 36' Magna
Yahoo Message Number: 28507 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28507)
Walt,
Our 2000 Magna came new with Koni shocks. First set lasted 4 years, second set lasted 1 year. Now on third set.
Brad Ward
2000 Magna 5916
Yahoo Message Number: 28508 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28508)
If you want Koni, and I think most CC have them, you can call Justin in Support at Koni and he will tell you what you need and can sell them to you. 866-566-4175 ext. 314.
Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue
Yahoo Message Number: 28515 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28515)
Walt, You may want to check out the new KONI FSD (Frequency Selective Dampers) at "WWW.KONIRV.COM/FSD" to see if they are recommended for your coach.
Earl
2003 Intrigue 11554
Yahoo Message Number: 28516 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28516)
I just put the Koni FSDs on the front, and boy what a difference! Smooth, quiet ride over bumps and road separators, etc.
Larry, 03 Allure, 30856
Yahoo Message Number: 28517 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28517)
Larry are the FSD shock adjustable like the regular KONI's? Adjusting those things can be a pain, you have to collapse them and then count the clicks. I'd much rather have shocks that are preset like "Bilstein's".
Earl
2003 Intrigue 11554
Yahoo Message Number: 28519 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28519)
No, the FSDs are not adjustable. Koni says they are "self adjsuting"
Yahoo Message Number: 28525 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28525)
Thanks Larry.
Earl
Yahoo Message Number: 28533 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28533)
Hi Country Coach put Koni's on my 98 Intrique the first year. I drov e them 100K in 6 years.
I was very please with them.
Fred Hoppmann
2002 Affinity
Yahoo Message Number: 28564 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28564)
Thanks Earl, I will check this out.
Walt
1994 Magna
Yahoo Message Number: 28586 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28586)
WOW!. Seems something has got to be wrong for those shocks to go that fast. How many miles do you run each year?
My '95 Magna 39' has the original Koni's and they checked fine last summer when I had my local guy disconnect the bottom of each one and tell me the status. Coach has 62K on it.
Mike
'95 Magna Caprice #5266
Yahoo Message Number: 28596 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28596)
Larry,
When we were at the Indy 500 last year I asked the Koni rep why CC always uses Koni shocks instead of other brands and he said it was because the Koni shock was made for the largest independent front ends on the market. The other shock manufacturers use a smaller size bolt connection which makes it difficult to mount properly when the front end comes with a larger mounting bolt. Of course he also claimed the Koni is a heavy duty shock manufacturer and their shocks were the best for our use. Don't remember the exact bolt size but they had a nice demo trailer to show you the difference in their shocks. I believe some of us have no choise on what shocks to use. I have never been unhappy with their ride once you have the proper adjustment.
Bill G. 2005 Magna #6425
Yahoo Message Number: 28614 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28614)
Bill
Yes, I know what you mean about large bolts. The size of the hexnut on my Allure shock is 1 1/8". On my friend's Magna, it's 1 1/2"
Larry, 03 36' Allure #30856
Yahoo Message Number: 28617 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28617)
Mike,
We had to replace the original shocks at 41,901 (5/2/2005) and the second set at 55,207 (5/4/2006). Still trying to get some warranty comp. from Koni. They should have lasted more than 13k miles.
Brad Ward
2000 Magna 5916
Delivered 5/30/00
Yahoo Message Number: 28620 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28620)
What was the problem with the Koni shocks in 13,000 miles? AL
00 affinity #5851 ( original shocks, no leaks, no problems)
Yahoo Message Number: 28621 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28621)
One of mine would not adjust, so Koni replaced it under warranty. They upgraded to FSDs and gave me one shock under warranty and I bought the other shock for $150. The FSDs are not adjustable by the owner. Koni says they are "self adjusting."
Larry, 03 Allure #30856
Yahoo Message Number: 28667 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28667)
Al,
When the CC techs and I crawled under the coach to check the suspension system, you could rotate the shocks with your hand, they had quite a bit of "play". Not supposed to be able to do this. The reason we were under there was because we had experienced pretty severe front tire wear on the outside edges of the tires. Two tie rod ends and the steering pittman arm ends also needed to be replaced. We had had the front end aligned 13,000 miles before.
Brad Ward
2000 Magna 5916
Yahoo Message Number: 28670 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28670)
Handling made easy,
The first time I had my coach aligned they used a portable alignment rack. Big mistake, as the coach was not handling well and believed an quick alignment would fix the problem. By bad handling I mean wondering all over the road. My god, it was just exhausting after a couple of hours of driving. After finding a reliable truck alignment shop with a in ground rack changes were made. Country Coach furnished align specs and these were entered into racks computer system. Guess what ! "free" for the asking.
Fuel and water tanks were put at 1/2 full prior to shop appointment. Careful attention was paid to driving the coach on the rack. Tech wanted to be sure coach was straight on. Air ride was depleted and refilled twice. I was comfortable that the normal ride height was set. Tires were all checked for correct air pressure. Gauge devices were installed on all for wheels. Found specs were off a lot. Reset and wow what a difference of night and day. Cost was $100.00 and worth every penny.
Al
00 affinity
Yahoo Message Number: 28694 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/28694)
I've posted this on other sites, but for those of you CC owners wishing to set your minds at ease about alignment, here's what YOU can do. Might take you five minutes.
Toe-in specs are usually 0 to 1/16" toe-in, with 1/32" being the best. Find another person to help check the distance between the fronts and backs of the front tires, measured from anywhere on the tread as long as it's from the same relative positions for the front and rear measurements. Measure the distance across the back as high up as you can get on the tire without chassis interference, then measure the front at a similar height.
The distance across the front should be slightly less than across the rear. If the difference is greater than 1/16", you can be sure the toe-in is actually greater than that halfway up the tire (where it's officially measured), and if it's greater across the front than the back you definitely have a problem with toe-OUT.
If you've got one of these conditions you'll know to take it in, and it would be money well spent. You can also verify the work afterward.
Bill & Debbie in San Diego
Yahoo Message Number: 32089 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/32089)
A friend of mine has a 98 CC Intrigue. It has 4 Koni shocks on it.
Can those shocks be adjusted on the coach or do you have to take them off to do it. Has anyone ever done this and what was the results of the ride? Any help would be appreciated. Jim
Yahoo Message Number: 32090 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/32090)
In theory, yes you can adjust the Koni shocks on the vehicle. As long as there's room to get to it. I tried adjusting my front shocks and was able to adjust the left one while on the vehicle, but the right one would not adjust, even after I removed it. Koni placed it with an FSD shock and I purchased an FSD shock for the left side. What a difference (improvement) in the ride! I want to install them on the back now. I looked at the back, and I don't think there is enough room to adjust them while on the vehicle. They look much more difficult to get to (remove or adjust) than the fronts.
Larry, 03 Allure #30856
Yahoo Message Number: 32131 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/32131)
After our recent ride thru New Orleans on Route 10 and much severe porpoising of the front end, I am sincerely interested in any shock absorber improvements over the standard Koni shocks. Granted the road was in terrible shape, but I didn't expect such severe porpoising with the Konis.
Larry, if you do the the FSDs all the way around, please post your results. There has to be a better way to dampen the front end. I also noticed that Ride King is starting to market their truck shocks for RVs. I'm looking for a significant improvement and any suggestions based on real live experiences are appreciated.
Bob Kumza
2003 Intrigue
Yahoo Message Number: 32133 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/32133)
I just experienced a similar problem and discovered an improvement by adjusting the front Koni shocks up near their max setting and adjusting the air pressure in the air bags.
Found a 80% improvement in the ride and especially over those large bumps.
I would recommend checking the air bag pressure first then if necessary move on to the Koni shocks.
Walt & Pam
'94 Magna 5160
Yahoo Message Number: 32134 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/32134)
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Walt:
I understand the action of adjusting the shocks but I am at a loss when you speak of changing the air bag pressure. To change the air bag pressure is to change the ride height. Is this what you actually did? To raise the ride height might have the effect of less bottoming out but there is an obvious limit. We went to the new variable firmness Koni and it eliminated the bottoming out problem.I appologise for not remembering the exact name for the shocks but they were about $150 each FMCA show pricing.
James M. Green Intrigue 11021 (2000) 36'
Yahoo Message Number: 32136 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/32136)
Bob, make sure the shocks are set to firm setting, and the ride height is set properly.I found the ride height to be critical for the porpoising.
Ray G
03 magna 6267
Yahoo Message Number: 32144 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/32144)
Bob, I had the same problem with my 03 Allure early on, and shock adjustments didn't help. I talked to Doug Rutherford about it and he felt it was ride height. Even though I had previously had it checked, we checked it again and it was slightly off. When corrected I no longer experienced the severe pourposing and bottoming out. I suggest you carefully check your ride height before purchasing new shocks.
Walt Rothermel
03Allure30811
Yahoo Message Number: 32146 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/32146)
Last summer I had a simular problem with the front of my coach. Shortly afterwards, the ride height valve failed. Once I got that fixed, the porpoising stopped. I took my coach on Route 10 as well.
Everett
99 Intrugue 10758
Yahoo Message Number: 33474 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33474)
Hi Larry,
I would apprecialte any input. You mentioned that you had your shocks replaced under warranty. Our Allure 05 has 29K miles, and the ride height had been checked. The rig hits bottom and bounces a lot. We had the shocks tighten, and it did help a little. But we still have the bottoming out and bounce. Do we still have a shock or an HWH problem? Also I notice when I follow behind the coach, the rig will lean and sway when turning. I thought this was normal, but I am beginning to have my doubts. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Marianne
Yahoo Message Number: 33475 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33475)
Marianne
I'm not sure about the leaning, but with the old shocks, my front end would occasionally bottom out + as mentioned, ride rough. Once I put the FSDs on, both problems went away. I never adjusted my ride height, and according to my measurements, ride height is OK. I don't recall having a "bounce" as you describe. I think a bounce is more indicative of a shock problem like on a car, but I'm not an expert on air suspensions. Based on my experience with the FSDs, I do think you will notice a distinct ride improvement with them. Happy trails.
Larry, 03 Allure 30856
Yahoo Message Number: 33477 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33477)
Marianne,
The symptoms that you describe sounds a lot like my coach driving around a bumpy campground with the tag raised. Is it possible that the tag is down but it is not at the proper pressure? I don't know that I have ever heard of this problem with the tag but they do apply pressure to the road with a predetermined amount from the HWH controller. In a lot of commercial trucks the driver has control over the air pressure on the tag but not so in a CC coach. Just a thought.
Don Seager
2004 Allure 31046
Yahoo Message Number: 33478 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33478)
Marianne, I had the same problem some time ago. and adjusting the shocks had no effect on the bottoming out ( I assume it is the front suspension doing it ). I spoke to Doug Rutherford about it and he said to have the ride height re-checked even tho it had been done very recently. Sure enough, it was off just a slight bit, but adjusting it cleared up the problem. That was at least 30,000 miles back. and the problem has not recurred.
Good luck,
Walt Rothermel
03Allure30811
Yahoo Message Number: 33484 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33484)
Walt I am currently on the road. The other day I hit a road repair that the coach flew over and came down with a bang. I am pretty sure I bottomed out. Now the front end sounds like rubber bands. Do you supposed I damaged the shocks? Who does the ride height check? the dealer or a tire aliment?
Thanks
Thank you, Jim Spivey Allure31432
Yahoo Message Number: 33486 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33486)
Jim, I don't know if you damaged the shocks, but I doubt it. I should think any good truck service center can check ride height for you, but be sure to get the spec's from CC. One other thing to check---be sure your oil pan wasn't damaged. These things are plastic, not steel, and replacement can be $800+. I have a skid plate on mine after spending $ 788 for a pan replacement several years ago.
Good luck
Walt Rothermel
03Allure30811
Yahoo Message Number: 33487 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33487)
Walt
Where did you get your skid plate? CC parts seemed unfamiliar with it when I asked them about it 6 months or so ago. Thanks
Larry 03 Allure 30856
Yahoo Message Number: 33491 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33491)
CC put a skid plate on my '03 Allure (30852) shortly after I got it. Not sure, but it was maybe the first one that they put on. They also put the skid plate on an Intrigue for a friend.
So, they do know how, just have to find somebody else to talk to.
Jurhee
2005 Magna 6480
PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD THIS without removing my email address.
Yahoo Message Number: 33493 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33493)
Larry,
I put a skid plate on my Intrigue about 4 years ago. I purchased it from CC and installed it myself. It doesn't surprise me that CC couldn't locate any info on this. Sometimes I wonder if they still aren't using computers at CC.
The skid plate is a must if you have the ISL engine with a composite oil pan. Those oil pans won't take much abuse as a steel pan would.
Rob
2002 Intrigue #11480
Yahoo Message Number: 33495 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33495)
Oops didn't think of that, thanks Walt will get under there and check things out. You can be sure the next road repair sign I see that says "Bump" I am slowing way down.
Thank you, Jim Spivey Allure 470 31432
Yahoo Message Number: 33508 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33508)
Larry, believe it or not, I got the skid plate from CC. Buddy Gregg in Dallas installed it. I think it was in 04.
Walt Rothermel
03Allure30811
Yahoo Message Number: 33522 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/33522)
Thanks Walt. I sent an email to CC with the information Stan provided. Hopefully they will have one.
Larry