Broken Shock On Rear Of 1997 Monaco Executive

[Iggy1997]

I have a 1997 Monaco Executive purchased 6 yrs ago. Pretty sure everything was OK at the time of purchase which was private. Inspection showed no issues with the shocks. At some point later on I discovered the top mounts of both the rear shocks broken off at the upper mount.
Not being sure of the reason I had a repair shop check the travel etc and they rewelded the shock brackets back in place and all was well. At some point they broke once again this time in Phoenix. Had it all checked again and the repair facility said the shocks were the correct type etc and rewelded the brackets again. We just arrived again in Phoenix and I had a look as the ride down felt wrong. Once again the shocks are broken off the mounts. The manual says to not dump the air bags unless the levelors are down so as to not damage the airbags but it doesnt say it may damage the shocks. Any ideas woould be appreciated.

[wolfe10]

First thing to do is check RIDE HEIGHT per Monaco specs.

Next, pull off one of the shocks and measure "compressed length" and "extended length". Then measure shock mounting point to mounting point with coach at proper ride height. At factory spec ride height, your shock mount dimension should be close to mid-way between compressed and extended length.

A "pulled apart" shock generally suggests that the shock is too short for your coach at its present ride height. A crushed shock generally suggests that the shock is too long.

Shocks are NOT designed as axle travel stops! Even the best can be pulled apart or crushed.

Could be something as simple as rear ride height too high, causing the axle to "hang by the shocks" over bumps. Which brings up the last point, IF the above has not identified the cause-- do you have axle stops in place-- can be straps or some other means of limiting axle travel on extension between axle and frame.

[popeye766]

I parked next to a DP out west that had the entire truss section under the axel next to the wheels BROKE.....cost him plenty and I don't know any more about it......he said it threw his axel outta square with the coach and broke his shock mounts to....some thing to check. Broke 3 times...hummmmm...boy, better check that possibility out.

[tiffinboy]

QUOTE"The manual says to not dump the air bags unless the levelors are down so as to not damage the airbags "

that's pretty weird because any DPMH I have seen or owned always says dump air bags then level??? all that aside even if u lowered the chassis by dumping the air bags I cant see this breaking the shock mounts unless there so poorly mounted that the whole weight of the motorhome rests on the shock mount?and snaps them off?

[robatthelake]

Rough Roads can really pound the dickens out of those shocks! Especially if You are overloaded!