Harry,

I always anxiously await each of your posts because I always learn so much.
Please post more often so that I can learn more. I have saved your "shocks"
post for my future reference.



Stephen Heinrichs, #1046



-----Original Message-----
From: FMCMotorCoach@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FMCMotorCoach@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Harry Day
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 11:06 PM
To: FMCMotorCoach@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FMCMotorCoach] Shocks



Has anyone researched and/or tried Koni shocks for the FMC?

They offer a relatively new FSD (frequency sensitive damping) dual parallel
valve unit (different flow rate in each valve) that has changed my SOB
(Country Coach w/Gillig air ride chassis) from a reasonably comfortable,
well handling coach to an almost completely different, much improved ride.
We just completed a 5 month 8,000 mile trip (we usually do 11-12,000) and
these shocks have made it seem like a different coach. Porpoising that has
plagued this rig and our FMC was eliminated and the abrupt lateral movement
leaving parking lots was reduced significantly. The dishes no longer fly out
of the cupboard when I get careless.

I have used adjustable Koni shocks at various settings for many years and
have been quite satisfied until the folks from Henderson Alignment in Grants
Pass, Oregon told me about the FSD Koni (at a FMCA rally in Redmond,
Oregon). Kaiser brake in Eugene, Oregon worked with Henderson to select an
FSD that would work on the Gillig. They recommended the usual adjustable
units on the front and FSD for the rear. My understanding is that Koni does
not (did not?) list a FSD shock for the Gillig chassis and I'm sure they
don't for the FMC. That doesn't mean that they don't make one for another
application that would fit.

If anyone out there wants to do the research and eventually try the Konis I
am confident they would be well rewarded for their efforts. We drove the FMC
for 9 seasons and about 85-90,000 miles and found the shocks provided by
both of our favorite suppliers to be satisfactory, but no better. We have
had at least 3 different sets----maybe four. We have tried 'solutions', a
new front spring (which had a different heat treat on each end----(it sagged
on both ends, but much more on the right side), timbren cells for the rear,
new shocks several times, several alignments, and finally a "real" new
manufacture front spring and an alignment by an ex-factory mechanic that,
for the first time, produced the legendary FMC "big sedan" handling. The
only exception is the tendency to porpoise in certain conditions. The FSD
Koni solved that problem on the Country Coach and might be worthy of "a try"
on the FMC. Yes, they were expensive and I have been trying to forget how
much. I am, however, pleased with the change and don't mind paying well for
that success.

This major handling improvement happened at the end of our ninth season with
the FMC. Now it sits in my shop with a fresh I-440 engine that I built "my
way" and only gets used for special occasions. We enjoy both coaches, but
the FMC is by far, my favorite.

Way to many words----sorry----can't help myself----that's why I don't write
very often.

Harry (0400) Day

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