OEM shocks on a 2004

[Greatscot]

Does anyone know what brand of shock absorbers would have been standard on a 2004 Itasca Suncruiser 38R ?
My coach currently has yellow Monroe shocks in front, an unidentifiable "shock looking" steering damper and TTT T3 Anti Rock shocks on the rear with 51000 mi.
Both wife and I think the ride is pretty bad. Just wondering if the front shocks are the originals or replacements.

[BFlinn181]

If it's a 2004 Workhorse chassis, it was originally equipped with Bilstein shocks. (Blue and yellow) I'd consider Monroe shocks to be a step down from Bilsteins. Many on here swear by Koni shocks for the best ride, but they do cost more than other brands.

[Greatscot]

Yes, forgot to mention it is a W22 chassis. Thanks

[edgray]

Originally Posted by Greatscot

Does anyone know what brand of shock absorbers would have been standard on a 2004 Itasca Suncruiser 38R ?
My coach currently has yellow Monroe shocks in front, an unidentifiable "shock looking" steering damper and TTT T3 Anti Rock shocks on the rear with 51000 mi.
Both wife and I think the ride is pretty bad. Just wondering if the front shocks are the originals or replacements.

It is obvious the rears are not OE, and I don't think the fronts are either. However, back then SOME of us got Monroe shocks provided by WCC when the no-name "black" shocks they used as OE were found to be inadequate.

Regardless, I would replace all four shocks with Koni FSD and leave the steering dampener in place.

[SuperGewl]

Also while you are at it get yourself a full set of Centramtic Wheel Balancers installed. They will help tremendously with the ride.

[Greatscot]

Originally Posted by SuperGewl

Also while you are at it get yourself a full set of Centramtic Wheel Balancers installed. They will help tremendously with the ride.

I've been trolling this board for nearly a year and this is the first I've heard of these Centramatic Wheel Balancers. I checked out their website and it seems to be a metal plate with some kind of centrifugal weight.
What exactly do they do, and how does it help the ride? Is it something that can be installed DIY?
Thanks for the help.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by SuperGewl

Also while you are at it get yourself a full set of Centramtic Wheel Balancers installed. They will help tremendously with the ride.

While Centramtic Wheel Balancers are good at smoothing out an out of balance tire, wheel, or rotating part, I don't know that they do anything for uneven road surfaces and typical ride complaints. If the OP had been complaining of vibration, then a tire balance or the product you suggest might smooth out the vibration, but the ride is a function of shocks and other suspension components.

At about $200 for the front axle, why do you suggest the wheel balancers for this issue? Just curious and wanting to learn.

Also Greatscot, if you do have front air bags inside the coil springs they might need pressure adjustment. If you don't have them, after new shocks that would be an addition that could improve the ride further.

[BFlinn181]

The Centramtic Wheel Balancers are roughly an aluminum disk with a hollow tube at the outside edge. The tube is filled with a thick liquid and a couple of loose weights. While driving, the weights will shift to the opposite location of a out of balance section of the rotating wheel and bring it into balance. As I said earlier, they are a way to balance the wheel, but I'm waiting to see how they would help in your 'ride' issue.

By the way, tire balance can also be done by adding weights to the wheel or inserting balancing beads into the tire interior. The Centramtic Wheel Balancers do work with any replacement tire, unlike the balance beads, which have to be purchased and added for each new tire. They are installed by dismounting the tire/wheel, then put on the hub, then replacing the tire/wheel assembly.

[Eyephoto]

In '07 we got a '94 Georgie Boy 34' Workhorse P30 chassis. The ride and handle was terrible, white knuckle, both hands. Five Bilstein shocks and new coil spring airbags later, one hand steering and back ache gone. Installed them myself.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by Eyephoto

In '07 we got a '94 Georgie Boy 34' Workhorse P30 chassis. The ride and handle was terrible, white knuckle, both hands. Five Bilstein shocks and new coil spring airbags later, one hand steering and back ache gone. Installed them myself.

Just to keep the facts straight, that would have been a GM P32 chassis because Workhorse was not in business until 1999.

[Duner]

I bought my 2004 W22 brand new in the fall of 2003. In the first year WH warranty replaced the front shocks after about 2000 miles as they were shot already. They put on Monroe gas shocks on front but would do nothing about replacing the rears.

In 2005 or 2006 I bought 4 Koni FSD and have had a great ride ever since, now with 89,000 miles. The extra money in Koni's pays for itself by not having to repair/replace all the stuff that would have fallen apart with the rougher ride of brands.

Happy trails,
Bill

[Bug512]

We also have the Koni FSD's, no problems for the five years that they have been on the motorhome.