JimGo
Glendale, AZ
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Joined: 11/17/2011
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Before purchasing Koni FSD's for my 07 W22 chassis, I read a lot of the comments on here and used the application guide at Koni's website.
I'm no mechanical wiz and maybe sometimes too gullable, but I would hope that replacement recommendations from a company like Koni would be correct.
Had the Koni's installed today replacing Bilsteins. Picked it up and whoa......what a horrible ride. It's like there are no shocks anymore.
Left to right, right to left and up and down like a rocking horse. And that was at 15 MPH.
I ordered the 8805-1001 for the fronts and the 1002's for the rear.
I was told today that the Bilsteins were GAS and the Koni's Hydraulic.
Am I missing something here? These should be a direct replacement, shouldn't they? Everyone else seems so satisfied with theirs.
I need a frikkin break! Did I do something wrong?
Any thoughts?
Mechanic is putting the old shocks back on for now.
Thanks
Jim and Terri
2007 Pace Arrow 37C
W22 Chassis, 8.1 Vortec, Allison 1000
2012 Chevy Nox LTZ AWD
Black Lab "Jessi"
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CarlGeo
Central San Joaquin Valley, CA
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Joined: 02/24/2008
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What problems are you trying to correct? Have you had your alignment check, and what about your springs, or suspension components, sway bars?
Each coach / chassis needs shocks designed specifically for that particular setup. I installed Koni shocks on my Safari and the ride and handling both improved. Neither ride or handling was really bad with old Bilsteins, but was better with the Koni's.
Good luck.
CarlGeo
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vtbigdog
VT, GA
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Joined: 06/06/2010
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I had the exact same FSDs put on my W20 and the ride was firm and controlled. You may want to check to make sure the new shocks are mounted in the right place...meaning the 1001s are on the front and the 1002s are on the rear.
Also keep in mind that you may have one bad shock, most likely in the front and that the symptoms you describe would be typical. Get both front shocks replaced and see what happens.
Richard
2003 Safari Trek 3011
8.1 Workhorse/Allison
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JimGo
Glendale, AZ
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Joined: 11/17/2011
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Fronts mount different than the rears i beleive, so I'm fairly sure they aren't reversed. New in Box hydraulc shocks 1001 for the front and 1002's for the rear based on Koni's guide and my year and chassis.
Going over a speed bump at 5 MPH the coach bounced up and down at least 5-10 times. Un driveable.
I'm at a loss in trying to understand how new shocks could make it go from a fair ride to a horrible ride.
My intent is to clean up the handling a little so the DW might want to drive it sometime.
I'm just so frustrated right now. Took it into a workhorse chassis approved facility to have them replace the wheel bearings and they scraped the side/rear of the coach backing out of the bay. Of course they won't admit to it, but again, downtime and a waste of my time. Although they have agreed to repair it. Grease on the drivers door and step, grease spots on the carpet at the drivers seat, drivers door left unlocked for the 3 days they had it and dinette cushions on the floor from the "test drive" or attempted wheelie.
My concern there is that if they will treat my coach as they did do I really want them to fix and paint what they broke?
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FreshAir
Utah / Salome AZ
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Joined: 12/23/2004
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I went to the FSD's from Bilstiens on a 2005 Fleetwood and did not notice a big difference for the $bucks, but definitely they were not worse. You've got a rat in the wood pile somewhere. Something has to have went amiss on the install. Keep us informed. Good luck.
05 Pace Arrow, 36,B W24, SMI Braking, KVH R4 Satelite Dome,
Pressure Pro tire system.
2011 Silverado 4x4.
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JimGo
Glendale, AZ
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Looking on Koni's website I found this. Has anyone with a 2004-2010 W22 put FSD's on? Did they need adjusting?
Rebound Adjustment Procedure
Some shocks can be adjusted while still on the vehicle by removing the lower nut and compressing the shock fully from underneath. If you can do this, follow the instructions below, bearing in mind that clockwise turns will increase the force in the shock, and counterclockwise turns will decrease it. If there is insufficient room under the vehicle, remove the shock and hold it vertically with the dust cover on top. You may use a vice to hold the bottom attachment. If you do mount the shock in a vice, we recommend you use soft jaws to minimize damage to the shock.
Fully collapse the shock absorber while turning shock slowly counterclockwise until you feel the adjustment nut engage in the recesses of the foot valve assembly. Once the adjustment nut has engaged, it is a good idea to make a mark with a black felt on the dust cover and shock body (to make it easier to keep track of adjustment turns).
The damper may have already been adjusted so gently turn it further to the left counting the half turns until you feel a stop.
DO NOT USE FORCE.
If you want to increase the forces, keep the shock absorber collapsed and make a minimum of 1 half-turn (180 degrees) clockwise. In case of prior adjustment add the number of half-turns previously found. The total range is about 5 half-turns.
Pull the shock absorber out vertically without turning for at least 1 cm to disengage the adjusting mechanism. The shock may now be turned freely and reinstalled on the vehicle.
ADJUSTING DIRECTION
Clockwise = Firmer Counter Clockwise = Softer
Koni Adjustability - How it works
Koni shock absorbers have up to 100% reserve damping that can be applied by simple adjustment procedures. Through this adjustment, it is possible to compensate for loss of damping force and lengthen the optimal service life two to three times.
This adjustment feature can also be used to compensate for added weight on a vehicle.
Unique to Koni, each adjustment position represents increased damping forces over the entire force/velocity range. This feature allows proportionate damping at low and high speeds.
Koni shocks are designed for optimal performance at minimum position, and should be fitted as received. Once you have tested your vehicle, you can modify the damping characteristics as necessary.
Remember that adjustments must always be carried out in pairs. Failure to adjust the shocks the same amount on one axle will lead to problems such as uneven tire wear.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Joined: 06/22/2009
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Personally I think you should drive them some and see if they bleed out. The Bilsteens are gas charged, which means they are sealed and any compression takes effort.
My Koni's are not gas charged and they can be compressed slowly by hand. During shipping they may get air bubbles in the system that needs to be bled out through use. I know my Koni's did not feel right as soon as I put them on but after several miles they seemed to feel fine. The main thing that i liked about them was that they absorbed the road crack and small bumps better than the Bilsteens.
I did not do any adjustment on my Koni FSd shocks but I did put maybe 25 miles or so on them until I felt they were a better shock than the Bilsteens. This is just my experience on a W20 chassis and yours may be different.
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JimGo
Glendale, AZ
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Joined: 11/17/2011
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I'm no wus when it comes to driving, but this felt very unsafe.
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Greyghost
San Tan Valley, AZ
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Joined: 10/12/2001
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I had FSDs installed last month. Things I noticed; I can feel the road a little bit more through the steering wheel than I could with the Monroe Gas Magnums, I have far less lean in the corners than with the Monroes, Shake, rattle and roll are now less that with the Monroes. I can give you more feedback in three weeks when I take it to the factory for some work.
KONI FSD shocks are not adjustable. According to the sales rep at Spectrac in Mesa the GSDs are supposed to eliminate some of problems they had with the adjustable shocks.
I had the same shocks installed as you did. I have a W22 chassis and fully loaded with full water, gas and propane I weigh 21,100 with even distribution on all wheels. I run 85-90 lbs in the tire and my tis lasted 8 years and 45K miles. If you have any questions send me a PM.
Pat & Roger Fisher
2004 Mountain Aire 3501
2007 Honda CRV EX-L 4WD,
Delilah 30 month old Bouvier Des Flandres
Clifford 18 month old brindle Bouvier rescue
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Joined: 06/22/2009
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Have you checked the rest of your suspension? On your W22 you should have the rubber spring(gray or white) type cushions that are between your frame and axles. Is there any space above these rubber spring when the coach is sitting level or have your front springs sagged to the point that they are resting on the rubber cushions? You should also have a large rectangular anti-sway bar to minimize body roll.
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