When to change factory shocks??? Better handling??

[ThorResidencyNe]

I've noticed that my 1997 MH seems to have the factory shocks still on it. The MH has 35k miles and seems to ride ok and don't have any visible leaking. However, since this is my first MH, I don't have anything to compare it too. I was thinking of switching to Bilstein shocks. Is this a good idea? Will it handle/ride better?

Also, on this first trip I noticed that I needed to make lots of little corrections to the steering while driving. I've inspected the front end and everything looks good, the tires are good and inflated properly and I changed the steering stabalizer. Any other sugguestions??

Thanks.

[John_Joey]

ThorResidencyNewbee wrote:
...snip... In regards to the Safe T plus, isn't that the same thing as the Monroe unit?

Not exactly, Monroe will ease the harsh movement from the road bumps that get transmitted to the steering wheel. The others will recenter the wheel and make the need for constant steering less.

ThorResidencyNewbee wrote:

...snip...Also, will the steer safe (assume that is the one for the rear differential) help out much since my MH has a tag axle.?

No that goes onto the front end again. Both units attempt to keep you going straight ahead, and they can make the job of driving easier.

ON EDIT:

Don't forget the 16 inch tire, leaf suspension, narrow stance F53 is not a DP with multiple air bags and a wide stance. You can have a lot of fun and do long distances with your older F53 rig as long as you keep it all in perspective. No matter how much you spend and work on that chassis you will never get a totally carefree ride.

[fcooper]

ThorResidencyNewbee wrote:


Also, on this first trip I noticed that I needed to make lots of little corrections to the steering while driving. I've inspected the front end and everything looks good, the tires are good and inflated properly and I changed the steering stabalizer. Any other sugguestions??

Thanks.

After you've checked the obvious (correct tire pressures, worn front end components, front end alignment) you might consider a rear trac bar if it does not have one. Those long leaf springs allow some flexing before the coach begins to follow the tire. I had a 1996 F-53 and installed front and rear trac bars. The front helped a little. The rear helped a lot.

Fred

[ThorResidencyNe]

Thanks for the comments. I did replace the rear sway bar bushings with Roadmasters bushings (the front bushings looked good). I also replaced the original steering stabalizer with a Monroe unit. In regards to the Safe T plus, isn't that the same thing as the Monroe unit? Also, will the steer safe (assume that is the one for the rear differential) help out much since my MH has a tag axle?

I'll also check the leaf springs. Thanks.

[John_Joey]

Remember that some of the advice you're getting is from F53 V10 owners that don't have the 16 inch tires like you have. On your rig you're going to find out that the weight in front is too light and in the rear too heavy. Moving all of the heavy stuff forward will help both in the ride and handling.

Shocks are cheap and after all these years should be replaced. Monroes are known for softness, blistens are known for hardness, and Koni's are known for being expensive and not making that much of a difference on the older F53. This is because there is very little rebound on the front leafs of an older F53, and rear Koni's are just adjustable and not fancy like the fronts.

If you want to educate yourself on your options, take a look at these guys. This is the expensive route to take, if you want to save money then use the advance search in this forum in the Class A section, archived. You'll find more information than you ever want.

To get you started, take a look at your rear sway bar bushings, more than likely they are shot. Replace the shocks and if you have a steering shock that one also with a Monroe. It's the only one that is a direct replacement for the OEM mounts. Also spray the shackles of the leaf springs with ATF to make sure they are not corroded and limiting your leaf's flex distance. Last but not least spray some chain oil between the leafs so they slide past each other easily. And, see if the budget can afford a steer-safe or Safe-T-Plus, that will be a nice addition.

Good luck.

[Passin_Thru]

When you can't keep both oars in the water or tires start to cup..

[KazooTom]

Sounds like you have been doing your homework. With tires that age and no signs of any cracking (including the tread area) you should be good for a while yet. You should check them regularly as they are of the age that problems could start to show. I can't confirm the bilstien numbers, but new shocks should certainly improve the ride. Remember, whatever you put on,it's still a truck.

[ThorResidencyNe]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did check the date code on the tires and the build date for all of them is around November 2007. So, that would make them around 5 1/2 years old. Based on the prior owners receipt, they only have 3k miles on them. I was hoping to get another year out of them. I've inspected them on both sides and there are no cracks on any of them (235 85 16).

I did weigh the MH and put the maximum air pressure of 80 psi in the tires based on the chart. The weighing was only by axle, not corner.

The alignment is good and the steering system checked out fine. The bushings/joints were greased about 2 months ago, so those should be fine.

The Bilstein part numbers I got for the shocks are:

24-187015 front
24-187022 rear

Is that right?

Thanks again.

[viajante]

My coach (08 Itasca Sunrise) is coming up on only six years (27,00 miles), but I am going to pop for some Koni FSDs next week. It currently rides okay, but does tend to wallow around curves and expansion joints and rough spots in the road sometimes jar your teeth.

After reading many posts on here and talking to my big rig tire and suspension guy, I decided to get the more expensive Koni's.

[Hikerdogs]

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I changed the factory shocks on my 97 F-53 Ford motorhome when they where about 2years old. I could pull them out and push them in like a accordian, with almost no resistance. I am sure that the shocks are well past their prime, and require replacement. I installed some Bilstiens. They work great - even after 15 years.

Fred.

We had the same experience with our 2001 Winnebago Adventurer on the F53 chassis. We also changed to Bilsteins. They have a lifetime warranty. When we traded it in last April the odometer was over 100,000 miles and the shocks still worked great.

[Dale_Traveling]

Shocks don't have to be leaking to be worn out. If the internal seals are failing you can't tell by looking at them. Also a bit hard to bounce a rig like a car to test. Bilstein are the current Ford installed shocks on the F53 chassis. They are a bit stiff and will firm your ride. If you have the budget Koni makes a softer shock but they can be expensive. I have Koni shocks on the front and Bilstein on the back and can hear the difference when the coach rides over a bump.

Wandering could be related to the front shocks failing but anything worn out in the front suspension and steering could be the cause including the tires. Have the alignment checked and inspect the steering system. Check your tire pressure based on actual front axle weight. Consider replacing the shocks and start budgeting for new tires all around. Also there are about a dozen grease fittings on the steering mechanicals. When was the last time they were greased?

As far as when to replace. Hard to say. Replacing the shocks when you do tires might be a good rule to follow.

[jerseyjim]

When getting new tires at around 28,000 miles, I had the stock (Ford) shocks replaced. The motorhome "wallowed" like a beached whale. The stock ones came off...and they were little better than rubber bands. They got replaced with Bilstiens. An improvment...but y'gotta remember these motorhomes are kinda top heavy.
As far as your wandering....mine does that too...but you must teach yourself never to lose conentration. Lose it, you're in the next lane awful fast.

[Golden_HVAC]

I changed the factory shocks on my 97 F-53 Ford motorhome when they where about 2years old. I could pull them out and push them in like a accordian, with almost no resistance. I am sure that the shocks are well past their prime, and require replacement. I installed some Bilstiens. They work great - even after 15 years.

Fred.

[wny_pat1]

If your tires are original, I bet any money that they are about 6 1/2 to 7 years old. Looks can be very deceiving with RV tires! And do you have any idea of how much air is suppose to be in them??? Are they 19.5" or 22.5" tires??? Have you weighted the four corners of your rig to determine how much air is suppose to be in the tires??

[ThorResidencyNe]

The MH is an F53 chassis, Thor Residency. The tires are about 5 years old.

Thanks.