| Author |
Message |
Jojo Colina (Du1jec) (68.8.173.10)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 12, 2002 - 10:07 am: | |
It is time for new shocks on my mci-5a. I need some recommendations on what brand to buy or are available. Your input would be very appreciated. |
jmaxwell (66.42.92.26)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 12:12 pm: | |
Lots of opinions here I suppose, but considering how long OEM's last, why not just stick with them. Avail. from Mohawk Bus Parts, Gabriel OEM, about $36.00 ea. |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (66.190.119.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 3:21 pm: | |
I would recommend the Gabriel adjustable air shock. I put them on my Eagle and they work great. |
Dallas Farnworth (216.98.68.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 9:09 pm: | |
Get real, it doesn't matter what shock you put on the old girl. You will never drive it enough to wear them out. sure there are differences between harsh and soft, but, the old beater will still handle and ride much better with new shocks. Check out what weight you have on each drive and each steering, then look up on the internet what the different types of shock will do for you. If your gonna get serious about spending money on you bus, do it right, make the shock fit the application.
Dallas
PD-4103-1085, with rebuilt knee action shocks. |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (66.190.119.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 9:33 pm: | |
Dallas, I have to respectfully disagree with you. I initially replaced my shocks with the exact type originally supplied by Eagle. In fact I bought them from Eagle. I still had a porpoising problem which is prevalant on Eagles. I later replaced them with the Gabriel adjustable air shocks and they totally eliminated the porpoising. I believe the MCI's and GM,s have a tendency to roll side to side, and if I was doing it, I would put on the best that I could find. It probably cost me 50 bucks total extra, but it was well worth it.
Richard |
Dallas Farnworth (216.98.68.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 5:28 am: | |
Richard,
That was exactly my point. If the shocks are bad enough to need replacement, figure out what kind you actually need. Each manufacturer has different levels of damping for different applications. Also a lot of the shocks valving is going to depend on the weight of the axle.
Again, don't go out and buy Gabriel's or Monroe's or Koni's just because someone else said they're great, if you do, you maybe sadly disappointed and end up throwing bad money after good.
Dallas |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (66.190.119.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 7:35 am: | |
Good points Dallas. Now I further understand your post. Instead of trying to find out all the details of the various shocks, I went to Southern Oregon Diesel for advice. They have a lot of experience on Eagles and have replaced a lot of shocks of different brands on different coaches. They indicated that they had had the best luck with the Monroes on Eagles. Might be worth a call to them to see what they recommend for a specific type coach. I have found them to be extremely helpful.
For example, when I was planning a trip to Alsaka (which I have never taken yet) Dave told me to call him if I had a breakdown and he would personally call as many places as necessary to find the needed part and ship it to me.
Richard |
Don KS/TX (63.15.244.44)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 10:01 am: | |
I got mine from Muncie, about $25 each. Later was looking at what a friend got from NAPA, same identical shocks, $60 each. I was very satisfied with the Muncie shocks, then again I have a GMC! |
Dallas Farnworth (216.98.68.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 8:06 pm: | |
Richard,
Although I looked into putting hydraulic piston type shocks on my 4103, I ended up rebuilding the knee action shocks. My wife says it's because I'm a cheapskate. Actually the reason was more closely related to my upbringing, in that, I was raised in a trucking/logging family and we rebuilt EVERYTHING. I don't think I ever got a new bicycle until I was out of the army. My dad's idea of fixing something was remove, rebuild and replace.
My knee action shocks use the same cups and seals as many brake master cylinder kits, and, only take about an hour each to rebuild. Plus, it keeps the old girl much more original, and she rides sooo well.
Dallas |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (66.190.119.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 9:52 pm: | |
Sounds great, Dallas. Neither was I brought up in a "throw it away family". I try and repair or rebuild anything that it is possible to do. I have even re-built shocks for my Model A Ford.
Richard |
Joe Laird (Joelaird) (205.188.197.37)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 10:25 pm: | |
There are several kinds of shocks available. Research them and select the one that will do what YOU want.
I disagree that you will never wear them out. I've replaced mine 3 times. I have 14 trips to Alaska on the coach and a lot of Mexico driving.
My experience says poipoising is more of a suspension adjustment problem than shocks. If the bogies are out of adjustment you will need new shocks much quicker. (I'm assuming you have not got a giant generator or big water tanks in the front bay)
We replace our shocks each summer on our tour coaches here in Alaska and do about 75-90,000 miles from mid May to Mid Sep on each coach.
Good Luck, Joe |
Dallas Farnworth (216.98.68.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 10:34 pm: | |
Joe,
OK, you got me on the mileage, in Alaska, but, to give my point of view a fair chance, most converters do not run more than 10K miles per year. If we were talking commercial use, I'd bring up the 9670 International I own and the Freightliner FLD120 that get new shocks every six months, again, lets get real, and figure out what the needs are for the application.
Dallas |