Shocks - low, middle or high price/quality

[Mike Wild]

Hi,

We are new owners of a 2000 Marquis and are fixing some items. Need 4 new front shocks. Reading through previous posts, seems like the order is Monroe - Bilstein - Koni. We only use our coach 6-8 times a year to travel 250 miles to football games at the school where we have 2 kids. We may take an annual journey in the 1,000 mile range.

So do I spend $200, $400 or $900 for shocks? I know you get what you pay for in improved ride quality, but we have several items we are working on so saving a few bucks is enticing.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Mike

[John Bagwell]

Koni are worth the price, ride, and control improvement.   You can go to their web site to order.  I changed mind out last year.   What a difference!

[Gerald Farris]

Mike,
The decision about purchasing the right shock for your coach depends on several things. The most important considerations are what it is that you are trying to correct by replacing the shocks and your expectations after the replacement.

Unless your factory Bilstein shocks are broken or leaking oil badly, new Monroe shocks will probably not be an improvement. So until you can furnish more information, there is not a lot that I can tell you about the right shock for your coach.

Shocks should only be replaced if there is a problem that you are trying to correct, and never only because of mileage. If you have one bad shock (leaking or broken) you can easily replace that shock only with another Bilstein. My 2000 Marquis has over 160,000 miles on it, I have no handling issues, and it still has the original Bilstein shocks.

Gerald

[Doug Allman]

Mike, what might be enticing today will more than likely not be so in the near future. We tried that route a few years back with Monroe and to be considerate they were much worse than what I thought the old Koni's were. Going around a curve was quite a lean. 1 year later we put on new Koni's and did not like that I second guessed myself and it cost me for my being a spend thrift. Cost me to the value of $600.00 more than if I just bit the bullet and put on Koni,s.
I have a used set, with 36,000 miles, of Bilsteins that I replaced on my 2004 marquis with new Koni,s. You or any else can have for the shipping if you want them. Check to see if they fit. They still work and I only did not like the ride after I had the Koni,s so I went right back to the Koni,s. We do around 15,000 a year now.

[Mike Wild]

So, decided to go with the Koni shocks and ordered a set from Shock Warehouse. While my mechanic was doing a few other things I asked him to change the front shocks. At pickup, he said the Koni 8805 1004SP1 that I ordered would not "fit" my 2000 Marquis (although I found the part number here and on the Shock Warehouse site). He also mentioned that there was no "boot?" to protect the shock so he did not like them.

Is there a "field" adjustment that has to be made to the shocks to make them fit or do I need to find a new installer?

Thanks,

Mike

[Joel Ashley]

Although you may find some answers here, for the fit specifics I'd contact either Beaver Coach parts in Bend (1-800-382-2597) or Henderson's in Grants Pass (Parts: (541) 955-0769), or consult both, re. your mechanic's concerns.

I've found Henderson's to be as knowledgeable as anyone when it comes to motorhome chassis, and they are Koni proponents - they should be able to help.  If you were anywhere within a trip's distance from them, I'd just make an appointment with them, period.

-Joel

[Dwight Wilson]

Hi Mike,
I noticed that I had a couple of leaking rear shocks so elected to replace all 6 (tag and drive wheels) on our coach while returning to Canada from Arizona in the spring. I did not notice any negative ride before but certainly noticed an improvement after the new Munros were installed. I believe they were $250.00 each installed and am very pleased with the ride. The new ones all but eliminated any porpoising. The shafts on the new ones were about 2x the diameter of the ones that were removed. The coach had only about 55,000 miles but I had pounded down  the 101 and I5 from Oregon to mid California on the way south so suspect roads may have something to do with the premature wear and tear. I agree with Gerald though, if they "ain't broke, don't fix em".

[Mike Wild]

Thanks for the replies. Living in the Midwest I don't have access to Hendersons and the other great resources out West, so I would be lost without those of you kind enough to help me get acquainted with the coach. Told my wife that someday we are going to head out for a Beaver Rally and treat everyone to one heck of a dinner to repay all the favors!

Mike

[Mike Wild]

So, I have discovered that neither the Koni or Bilstein shocks that are called for on my coach will fit. Both have eyelets that are 18mm and I need an eyelets that is 1 and 5/8ths (15.875mm). The hunt continues for the correct fit! I guess I will just order the same shock that is on there now if I can find a part number.

[Fred Brooks]

         Greetings Mike,
     When I purchased my 2000 Marquis it had 53000 miles on it. We were on our way from Tucson to San Francisco for our first adventure. The coach was "porpoising" up and down excessively over minor dips and my wife advised she was getting sick and I had to correct this or sell the coach. Research on the forum lead me to Koni FSD shocks. I don't have the part number in front of me but I purchased the 4 fronts that fit my Magnum chassis. After the installation, I noticed it takes about 10 minutes to warm them up and then a very stable and quiet ride. My wife says we can keep this wonderful coach. Hope this helps, Fred Brooks

[Doug Allman]

Mike,  KONI North America RV division is located in Hebron KY their tel number is 866-566-4175. Website is KONI-RVusa, if you look at it there is a locate installers heading and shows all states.

I had problem with eyelets being too small for the rear on our 2004 Marquis. Called Koni and they indicated there were two part numbers and the one had the right size eyelet. Being it was needing to be larger they indicated we could drill out with no problem. They were very helpful.

I am sure they can get you the correct KONI part number. You will be happy you stayed with KONI as they do what others do not.

[Doug Allman]

Correction    Website is Konirv.com and installation centers not installers