Replacing Shocks

[Jim_bob]

I am going to be replacing my shocks sometimes within the next week or so, depending on when they get here. I have a good torque wrench with me but I know that it doesn't go near as high as it needs to go. Has anybody just used a breaker bar with a piece of pipe on the end to get the bolts loose and tight? Or is this a good reason to tell my wife that I need more tools?

[JimF]

More tools, a guy never has enough tools.

[jrk341]

It's not a good idea to use a torque wrench to loosen bolts. Use the breaker bar and pipe to loosen them. You can never have enough tools. I bought a Armstrong torque wrench a while back. 25-250 ft lbs.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Jim_bob

I am going to be replacing my shocks sometimes within the next week or so, depending on when they get here. I have a good torque wrench with me but I know that it doesn't go near as high as it needs to go. Has anybody just used a breaker bar with a piece of pipe on the end to get the bolts loose and tight? Or is this a good reason to tell my wife that I need more tools?

Jim_bob, when you say torque wrench, do you mean a manual torque wrench or possibly an air or electric impact wrench (which some refer to as a torque wrench)

[Jim34RL]

First spray the bolts and nuts with Liquid Wrench let this sit for a couple of minutes. The fastens should be easier to remove once the Liquid Wrench has worked on them.

My son has a Milwaukee portable impact driver that he uses to loosen and fasten the hardware on his truck, then will use a torque wrench to check that the proper torque has been applied. It does make the job a lot easier and faster. Will worth the investment for this tool.

[Jim_bob]

I won't use the torque wrench to loosen anything. Actually I was thinking of going to flea market and getting an old breaker bar to use with a piece of pipe. I wouldn't use my 50 year old breaker bar like that. Didn't think about the liquid wrench. I'll put that on the bolts now. It will have a week to soak in.
So, I tell wife I need another torque wrench and an impact driver.

[jrk341]

I have the Milwaukee high torque impact gun. That thing will take almost anything loose. part number is 2763-22.

[waiter21]

Impact driver is your friend... Spray all the bolts with liquid wrench a couple days before. I still had to use a torch to get the front lower ones off.

The rear top bolts are a challange to get at. I put a wrench on the nut, then a socket and breaker bar on the bolt.

I had close clearance issues on the new shocks, I added a washer on the top front so the top of the shock wouldn't hit the mount.

ALSO the shocks I had in the back, I had to modify so they wouldn't hit on th top.

I documented this in a short article.

Replace Shock Absorbers – 1999 Southwind 35S

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[tamdle]

Originally Posted by Jim_bob

I am going to be replacing my shocks sometimes within the next week or so, depending on when they get here. I have a good torque wrench with me but I know that it doesn't go near as high as it needs to go. Has anybody just used a breaker bar with a piece of pipe on the end to get the bolts loose and tight? Or is this a good reason to tell my wife that I need more tools?

Yes, I have done that before when installing my stabilizer bar for the front and rear axle. Breaker bar would do the job fine. I also use it to take off the wheel nuts and put them back on. Make sure that your tool is strong enough to withstand the torque ie. not using the Harbor Freight tool their tools may only good up to 150 to 200 ft-lbs, more than that would only a "hit and miss". Also, your restriction may be the room available for using the long enough breaker bar (pipe extension).

[Jim_bob]

I put the Koni shocks on last night. It was very easy. I was worried about nothing. I used a 18" breaker bar, no pipe. I did have a 2' long piece of 1" ready just in case. I pulled hard and the nuts broke loose and then I used a ratchet to remove them.

[tailwind22]

Let us know your impressions after the test drive

[Jim_bob]

I will for sure but it will be awhile. Also, I am wondering about the Sumo's. A couple people have told me that the Sumo's would not allow the Koni to work the way they should? I am waiting on a call from Koni right now to see what they think.
I will put the Safe-T-Plus on, I have it but now I need a U-Bolt made. The stock U-bolt is too short to use with the Safe-T-Plus mounting bracket. Using a new U-bolt would best anyway.

[tailwind22]

Originally Posted by Jim_bob

I will for sure but it will be awhile. Also, I am wondering about the Sumo's. A couple people have told me that the Sumo's would not allow the Koni to work the way they should? I am waiting on a call from Koni right now to see what they think.
I will put the Safe-T-Plus on, I have it but now I need a U-Bolt made. The stock U-bolt is too short to use with the Safe-T-Plus mounting bracket. Using a new U-bolt would best anyway.

Supersteer.com sells both I believe. Might be a better place to start then Koni.

[Jim_bob]

I looked at Supersteer but PPL Motorhomes was about $50 cheaper for the Safe -T- Plus and Shock warehouse was about $30 cheaper for the shocks. Both places shipped for free.

[tailwind22]

Originally Posted by Jim_bob

I looked at Supersteer but PPL Motorhomes was about $50 cheaper for the Safe -T- Plus and Shock warehouse was about $30 cheaper for the shocks. Both places shipped for free.

OK good deal. I was simply thinking that since Supersteer writes a lot of tech articles and they sell both, they would be able to comment on whether Konis and Sumos would work together.

[AquaMan]

I've always wondered how the ride is with the Sumos installed. I would think anything that would inhibit vertical movement in any way, would worsen the ride. The only benefit I see (over improving sway, which can be done with bigger bars), would be if the suspension was bottoming out. Although, I'm also not completely on board with the CHF (at least without longer links). Heavier shocks controlling rebound, heavier sway bars for body roll, and a rear track bar for stability make the most sense to me.

[Jim_bob]

I'll have to look the Supersteer website. I didn't know they had technical articles. I need to pay more attention. I did talk to someone at Koni and he said he did not know of any kind of tests using the konis and Sumos together. He didn't think the konis would work as well when using the Sumos too. I was going to take them off but then decided to just adjust them so I have a little clearance (1/4") on the bottom. The 1/4" is not much but it was easy to get. I think in the end the Sumos will come off and I'll think about the bigger bars. Roadmaster bars are, I think 1/2" bigger in dia. Probably wouldn't need the CHF
I wish I was not so far from a good road, I want to try the shocks an Safe-t-plus

[Jim_bob]

I got the shocks on, front only. The safe-t-plus was very easy to adjust but I did mess around with it a little before I took it out. I was working with it at my camp in Ohio, gravel driveway. I leveled up the motorhome s good as I could. Then took just a little weight off the front. I kept turning the wheels till they looked straight then tightened up the safe-t-plus. I took it out on the road. I must have had it real close. It was going to the left just the smallest amount. I pulled into a rest area and was lucky there was nobody parked on one side. I drove the length of that area trying to go a straight as I could. I loosened the bracket and then retightened it. I am sure it moved less than 1/32”. I don’t think it could be any better. I can easily drive with one hand.
So after that a few days ago we headed back to Florida trying to get around this last hurricane. The handling was good on all the bad roads. Thru Va. at night it was a nightmare. In the mountains it was raining with bad cross winds and fog. I could still easily use just one hand if I wanted. I think it steers as good as my truck.
The only thing that could be better is the bracket. If you tighten up the “U” bolts too much it will bend. I used a torque wrench and mine is ok. I will make a new bracket that is more heavy duty. I am so pleased with it I think I will tell wife to go out there today and wipe it off and put some wax on it to keep it looking good.