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Topic: HWH Controllers and Broken Shocks (Read 635 times) previous topic - next topic
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HWH Controllers and Broken Shocks

Yahoo Message Number: 95099
In January of 2004 I made the transition from a 2003 Allure with the analog based HWH controller to a new 2004 Allure with the then new digital HWH controller. A subtle difference between the two controllers caused me to break the shocks on the 2004 while negotiating my steep driveway.
The difference was that the 'Raise' button on the analog controller is a momentary action. The coach only raises as long as you hold the button in. The same button on the digital controller is a latching action. Press it and the coach will continue to raise after you release the button.
I was unaware of that difference. In my older coach I would hold the ''Raise' button until my wife told me that the rear of the coach had cleared the street. I would then continue on up as the coach was returning to ride height. However doing the same with the new coach, the coach continued to raise after I released the button. While continuing on up the driveway the coach continued to rise eventually stressing the shocks under tension until a small amount of lateral motion of the chassis snapped both rear shocks. It was a hard learned lesson that I never forgot.
The quickest way to spot the difference is that the digital controller has the addition of a manual control button for ride height that is missing from the analog controller. There are other differences but that one stands right out.
I looked into limiting straps at the time but never installed them because of the fear they might further limit the ability to level the coach. Today I am not sure that was a justified fear. However while investigating them I found they are available as either chains or straps. The opinion at the time was that the chains were better because the straps had a tendency to stretch. I am not sure of the validity of that but it was popular belief at the time. The chains were coated with plastic to keep them from rattling.

Don Seager

Former CC Owner

Re: HWH Controllers and Broken Shocks

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95102
Don, years ago on my 03 Allure w/Tag, I entered a truck stop that had a severe trough entrance. I held my analog raise button down manually to lift rear and BANG SNAP broke the Drive Axel Shock. I took care of problem by having a good friend mount "SKID WHEELS" on bottom of Rear Engine Mount Frame.
Now the wheels hit concrete and raise rear without also cracking the dang Fiberglass Oil Pan.
I can't get photo's to copy onto this reply, but I have what I think is your e-mail, I send them to you

Mike 03 Allure 1st Ave. #30898

Re: HWH Controllers and Broken Shocks

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95104
Mike,

Thanks much for taking the time to send me the pictures of your skid wheels. They appear to be something like the skid wheels found od some large rubbish containers. It all looks very sturdy.
I did consider skid wheels briefly but the drive is loose gravel. I was pretty sure that the skid wheels would simply sink in considering the weight involved, so I abandon the idea. In the end I decided to simply be careful raising the coach just enough to clear and drop it immediately after clearing the spot. To do this I consider it essential to have a spotter out there watching the clearances and telling you exactly when it is safe to lower the coach back to ride height. I am guessing that in your case you likely held the button too long causing the coach air bags to put the shocks under stress. The one thing that one should NOT due is hold on until you sense no more upward motion of the coach. While that will give the maximum clearance it puts the shocks at risk.
Like my 2003 Allure your coach should have come with the older HWH analog type controller. The controller panel should not have a manual ride height control. There should be a mercury bulb type level sensor located above the ceiling panel in the second bay and the controller itself should be in the small compartment in front of the drivers seat. In the newer digital type controller the level sensor is an integral part of the control circuit.. The controller is a silver colored ribbed rectangular box with rounded corners located usually, but not always, in the bay under the drivers toll window. It has a clear Plexiglas cover.

Thanks again,

Don Seager

Former CC owner now with no coach

I have told this story many times but I did not know that I broke the shocks the first time I drove the new coach up my driveway. I didn't discover it until a year and 1/2 and 20,000 miles later at a Cummins shop. I was lucky in that the broken shocks stayed together so the parts did not swing out catching the sidewall of a tire. On interesting thing is that I did not notice any difference in ride either with the broken rear shocks or after they had been replaced. II kind of made me wonder about spending much time worrying about what brand of shocks to replace them with. Of course shocks do serve another very important function and that is to prevent a sudden deep drop of the suspension from ripping the air bags off their mounts. So I got luck on that one. ears ago on my 03 Allure w/Tag, I entered a truck stop that had a severe trough entrance. I held my analog raise button down manually to lift rear and BANG SNAP broke the Drive Axel Shock. I took care of problem by having a good friend mount "SKID WHEELS" on bottom of Rear Engine Mount Frame.

Now the wheels hit concrete and raise rear without also cracking the dang Fiberglass Oil Pan.
I can't get photo's to copy onto this reply, but I have what I think is your e-mail, I send them to you

Mike 03 Allure 1st Ave. #30898
 

HWH Controllers and Broken Shocks

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95103

I'd like to see the wheels also.

George WB5LDN
08 Affinity 6877
gjames@...

Sent from my HTC