Shocks

[homeless]

I have a 2000 Itasca 37' , how much is it going to cost to replace shocks?

[Hikerdogs]

The shock absorbers themselves usually run about $100.00 each. These are the ones we put on our 2001 Adventurer:
1999-2011 Ford F53 Motorhome - Heavy Duty Bilstein Shock Absorber (Rear) [24-234528] | $103.95 | SD Truck Springs | Leaf Springs, Helper Springs and Suspension Parts


Anything newer than about 2004 now comes from the factory with these lifetime shocks. Given most shop rates are around $100.00 per hour I would guess installation cost to be another $150.00 to $200.00

[Forza Tom]

Originally Posted by homeless

I have a 2000 Itasca 37' , how much is it going to cost to replace shocks?

I have heard great things about Koni shocks but I have had no personal experience with them.

[mc4fun]

I put new Koni shocks on my 2004 Pace Arrow last year before a long trip. Ride like a new coach.
You can replace them yourself if you have the right tools.
Air gun big compressor etc...

[FunGus]

I just got a GREAT deal on 8 new Bilsteins from AJUSA.com for $75 each with free shipping. By far the best price I found and great customer service.

.

[homeless]

Maybe help me out here! I think I have a broken front shock! I feel a clunking but no visible sign of anything loose. I assume its the shock. This is a 20000 pound rig. How do I know if I need shocks? If I replace one should I do a pair, like the two fronts.

[Pepper2]

Homeless, if they are original I would replace them. IMHO I put Bilsteins all around and they are a great improvement in the ride. Had mine done at CW and it took about an hour. So around $100-$125 as I recall.

[Hikerdogs]

They definitely should be replaced. The shocks on your motorhome are the old style generic oil filled hydraulic Ford shocks that are only expected to last 25,000 miles or less. We had the same shocks on our 2001 Adventurer. They were totally shot when they were replaced at 22,000 miles. Two had absolutely no resistance in either direction, and the other two were leaking oil.

The style shock you have hasn't been used since 2003 or 2004, so it's highly unlikely you'll be able to find a single shock to replace the broken one. If money is tight I would replace the fronts as a pair. If it's within your budget replace them all at once. I think you'll be amazed at the difference in the handling with shocks that actually function as they should. I couldn't believe the difference it made on our motorhome and that was in 2004. The Bilsteins we replaced them with were still working fine when we traded off the motorhome in 2013 with well over 100,000 miles on the odometer.

[homeless]

Bilsteins is what I want to buy? Or that is what I have?

Will new shocks also be oil filed and not last long?

Are original shocks yellow?

[Hikerdogs]

If you have the original shocks they should be black. The originals on your model year aren't Bilsteins. Ford started putting Bilsteins on from the factory in either 2003 or 2004. If you have Yellow shocks now they are replacements. They could be either Bilstein or Monroe brand.


We replaced our original Black Ford shocks with Bilstein Yellow shocks.

[homeless]

I have yellow shocks and only 51,ooo miles! What might be clunking under my feet sometime? It's not consistent and I don't feel it in the steering!

[fputnam]

If your Meridian 37 is a diesel pusher you probably have the original Sachs shocks. I have a 2005 Meridian 34H diesel pusher and just replaced the Sachs with Bilstiens. The Bilstiens were $90 each and $105 to install at a local truck suspension shop.

I can't comment on the ride quality yet, not enough miles on the new shocks, but on the drive home noticed they are firmer. Wether that's a good thing remains to be seen.

I called the North American Bilstiens office to get the correct shocks for my Meridian.