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front shocks for 2004 42' Intrigue ovation

Yahoo Message Number: 64264
I have been reading through many threads on shocks and I am trying to understand what what be the best front shocks to put on my 2004 ovation. Does anyone have a name and part number that has worked well for them. My coach is in a shop right now getting the transmission and radiator fluid changed. Just bought this coach a few weeks ago.
It just occurred to me reading through many of these threads that my front shocks are probably bad. I can feel some constant bounce in one or both tires on the freeway and the tires (toyos) do have some cupping on them 25,000 miles with plenty of tread left on them.
I am running a C12 in the back. Just had the front end aligned and it was off a bit. They made no mention of shocks and did not look at them.
If you have a name and part number for a good quality shock made for this coach I would appreciate it. Price is not a consideration.
P.S. The Coach came with no manuals so I am getting alot of use out this forum and the internet to gather information on the coach.

Thank you.

Dallas

2004 ovation 11688

Re: front shocks for 2004 42' Intrigue ovation

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64265
Hi Dallas,

Good chance your shocks are OK. If OEM, they will the the Koni SP1 Adustable, on the 1st/lowest dampening setting. They were undersized for the coach (not a Koni issue, but a National influence on Country Coach, according to some things I've read and people I've talked to).
Suggest you have them dismounted and inspected. If still OK, then have them set at either setting 4 or 5. If you find they are blown, then the new this year Koni SP3 Adustable (third generation from the OEM's SP1) are supposed to be more robust. I'd still probably set them on either 2 or 3 setting. From Shox.com
003. Koni Shocks 1979 - 2007 #88-1458 sp1 fr #88-1457 sp1 rears 596.00
Koni's FSD's are not available for our coaches, except for on the rears and tags.
I went with the Road Kings instead of the Koni's, all around. Lots more money, but lots more shock. We just completed our first long trip with the rig and new shocks. Very pleased. If you are keeping this rig for several years, and look at the higher cost spread over say 5-7 years of usage, it is not too bad.
But, a search on this board, will show you that the front end road height is the first thing to have checked. Set it at the very highest setting of the range to start with. Some go above this by 1/2 to 1". We found our Road Kings and height set at the top of the range - to provide a very good ride, with great control. (I [posted how pleased I was with the ride going thru the S curves of northern 395 The coach was not a canyon carver, but I felt in control, with a poised coach, at all times.)
I also wonder if the Toyo's are OEM, if so, budget for new shoes ASAP, as those are getting old...
If you have not yet done so with a new coach, getting set for a trip (loaded, full fuel, and say water at full at grey at half) get a four corner weight, and set your tires PSI accordingly.

Enjoy your new ride!!
Smitty

04 Allure 40', Tag 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: front shocks for 2004 42' Intrigue ovation

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64267
Dallas

I second the recommdation for new tires. Likely your tires are from 2003 and that makes them 7 years old.
BTW my coach is just a few builds away from yours and I have both manuals (three ring binders about 3" thick) and if you find you would like a copy of those I can find out a cost and let you know.
I am in Springdale, Utah (Zion National Park) right now and will spend the winter near the Salton Sea in Southern California.

Bill & Judy Claypool
158 Rainbow Drive #5843
Livingston, TX 77399-1058

bill @ privatemotorhomerental .com Intrigue 2004 42' 11696

530 957-7789

Re: front shocks for 2004 42' Intrigue ovation

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64268
Dallas,

Road King shocks are the best. We installed two years ago enjoy a great ride today. Would recommend all four not just two shocks. Now they do cost $1800. for four. You can get them installed at no cost if you are at a CCI rally usually.

Good shocks are the key to a good ride and they do ware out.

Paul,

01' Intrigue, 11309

front shocks for 2004 42' Intrigue ovation

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64271
Our OEM Toyo's seemed out of balance at 65mph and over and the front end had a vibration. With the new Michelin XZE* the tires are smooth as silk to at least 70mph (I was going downhill J) . Our front end was pretty bouncy until we had the ride height adjusted and now it is fine. We still have the original factory shocks at the original setting and with the ride height set correctly we don't experience any undo bouncing, even on rough roads. We are at 46k on the odometer. If your coach has Toyo's I would seriously check the DOT date as they may be original equipment and getting close to 7 years old.

Bob

'05 Intrigue 11872

front shocks for 2004 42' Intrigue ovation

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64273
Michelin XZE's X's 2! I agree with Bob on how much smoother our ride is from the very old Toyo's. We also added Centramatics (SP?) to Front/Drive/Tag. I made an agreement with the installer. They put on the tires, and I paid to balance the fronts/tag. Took it out for a drive on a smooth stretch of new road (they exist, just got to go find them:)!). I came back and the installer added the Centramatics, and I took the same drive again. Smoother ride was evident. As part of this, I had my DW place a bowl of water on the floor over the drive axle. She noted a constant surface disruption on the first drive, with at times none seen on the second ride - this sealed the deal on her agreement to retain the Centramatics. The Centramatics are not as important when you first head out the door from a new tire install with balancing. It is the 'down the road', when maybe you toss a weight, or wear, or full moons - that the Centramatics kick in as they constantly adjust and keep the full wheel and tire balanced.
Between the 8 ZXE's, Road Kings (on all six locations) and Centramatics - you can almost buy a nice used gas Class A!!! But, we are setting this up for years ahead of permanent part timing. And, as part of my purchase agreement, the owner kicked in a credit of about $5600 towards new shoes, and new front shocks. So the pain was not all on us:)!

Best to all, be safe, have fun,
Smitty

04 Allure 40' Tag, 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

front shocks for 2004 42' Intrigue ovation

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64276
Bob,

Thanks for your comments I will take that into consideration since the tires are original. Mid 2003 builds

Dallas

Re: front shocks for 2004 42' Intrigue ovation

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64277
Bill,

Here is the info on the key fob for the crimestopper alarm system we have in our ovation.
Thank you for your order. Your order number is 158658, placed 10/02/2010 at 7:36PM.
Bill To:

Dallas Evans

UPS Ground
Order Details:

Code   Item   Qty   Price   Grand Total
Z9918A   CS-366DC - Brand New Remote [Enter Model Name of System:cs-2002-dc III]   3   $39.00   $117.00

Subtotal:    $117.00
Tax:    $0.00

Shipping Cost:    $11.41
Grand Total:    $128.41

Thank you for shopping at www. Remotesandkeys.com! Visit us again at http://www. Remotesandkeys.com/

Re: front shocks for 2004 42' Intrigue ovation

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64284
Last year while having my front tires checked at Schwab in Junction City they looked at the dates on my tires. My 6 rear tires were made in Jan of '02 and my fronts were Feb of '03. I have an '06 coach. Everyone should check the dates on their tires.

Dan '06 Intrigue 11936