81 FC Koni Shock Adjustment Results

[pattypape]

Al,

Being on the road has lots of advantages and a few disadvantges.
It seems like a truck garage could do this simple job at a very
reasonable rate. This is not major surgery, but it seems like it
could be difficult laying on the ground.

Bill 88 FC Wishing we were on the road, home bound for
now doing chores


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "geez_al" wrote:
> I have a question for you. I'm on the road full time right now and
a bit
> hesitant to get into anything at an RV Park, but my ride is a bit
too stiff
> as well on the firmest setting. I had my shocks installed with a
bunch of
> other stuff so I'm wondering.. How long did it take you? Can you
adjust them
> w/o taking off the tire? Was it hard to recompress? Oh, and do you
remember
> what size wrench it was? I only have the bare minimum tools with
me and
> might have to pick up a wrench at the store.
>
>
>
> As I head east, the roads seem to be getting a bit rough so I'd
like to
> soften things up a bit.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Al S.
>
> 1981 31'
>
> Headed toward New York.
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mrdonut12
> Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2005 4:57 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 81 FC Koni Shock Adjustment Results
>
>
>
> At the recommendations of this group, I bit the bullet, called
> Earl at Blue Bird and ordered 4 shocks, Konis for the front
> and Gabriel for the rears (that's stock).
> The Konis are adjustable and I was led to believe the stiffest
> setting was the best.
> There are 2 full twists of adjustment. You compress the shock
> in a vice and as you're compressing it, you'll feel a catch as you
> enter the adjustment phase of the twisting. Koni said there are
> 5 "half-twists" of adjustment. I went all the way firm and backed
> it off a half a twist.
> It made the ride too stiff and bumpy for me.
> Today, I removed the shocks and rotated fully each way. There
> are only 4 "half-twists" of adjustment. I set both of them in the
> middle, so I've only backed them off a half twist from the first
> setting.
> The result is the coach drops easily on bumps and rebounds
slowly.
> This gives a very smooth, soft, stable ride.
> I'm really happy with the ride, it's super. I just returned
from
> a short highway test drive and the bird just floats along. It even
> seems to have reduced the roll on turns and curves.
> The short wheelbase of the FC makes it want to bounce the
front
> end without stopping, called porpoising. This should now be over
if
> my road test was any indication.
> The rear shocks are going on Monday when I get new tires.
> I'll keep you posted. I hope this helps those who're trying
to
> decide which shocks to buy and what Koni settings to use.
>
> George Witt
> 81 FC 35
> Lincoln, Nebraska
>
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> * To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/
>
> * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> subject=Unsubscribe>
>
> * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
> <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> Terms of Service.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]