81 FC Koni Shock Adjustment Results

[mrdonut12]

Al,
It's a piece of cake. You'll need a 1 1/2 inch socket and
ratchet, an angle ended prybar and a plastic "dead-blow" hammer.
Before you start, start up the bus and turn the wheels to the
left. There's a steering arm in the way on the driver's side that
gets in the way of removing the left shock.
Remove the nuts on the right side and use the prybar to
scooch the shock off the mounts. You'll need to work each end
at a time to get the shock to slide off horizontally. I used the
prybar in a twisting motion at each end to move it out a little
at a time. It won't come all at once, the bushings are too tight
and too stiff.
One side of mine slid on easily, the other didn't, that's where
the plastic "dead-blow" hammer comes in. A plastic hammer won't
damage anything and will let you coax the shock gently back into
place. At least as far as you need to get the nuts back on.
It took me an hour total and I've done it twice. Your time
may vary. ;o)
You might be able to substitute a huge pair of pliers for the
socket, but I like clean nuts, so I'd favor the socket.
I'd rate this a "2-beer job" LOL.

George Witt
81 FC 35
Lincoln, Nebraska

--- 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
>
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
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