Shock broke

D

dave hilsdorf

New member
Aug 31, 1998
7
0
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Right front shock sheared off at the bottom mount. Time for new shocks I
'spose. I wondered why it got bouncy.
Don't know exactly when. It drives OK, but bouncy, up to 60MPH, then the
tire hop starts in.
Well, they are 25 years old. Any suggestions for relacement shocks & where
to get it done in the Bellevue/Omaha area or how to do it myself? I have the
shop manual, but have never done anything like this.

Dave Hilsdorf
2605 Ponderosa Drive
Bellevue, NE 68123
(402) 291-9198
DaveHilsdorf
1973 26' "something or other"

To keep me up-to-date with your contact information, go to:
http://www.planetall.com/main.asp?cid=400413
It's private, secure, free, and they don't put you on any junk mail list.
I've been with them since 1997.
 
Dave & whoever will jump in as don't take this as gospel. I'm tolt that 1975
Blazer shocks fit or are the same. However, it's obvious there's a weight
difference. One may be able to find gas loaded x-heavy? I would like to know
myself. Regards, Sam picksam
- -----Original Message-----
From: Dave Hilsdorf
To: gmcmotorhome
Date: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 9:56 AM
Subject: GMC: Shock broke

>Right front shock sheared off at the bottom mount. Time for new shocks I
>'spose. I wondered why it got bouncy.
>Don't know exactly when. It drives OK, but bouncy, up to 60MPH, then the
>tire hop starts in.
>Well, they are 25 years old. Any suggestions for relacement shocks & where
>to get it done in the Bellevue/Omaha area or how to do it myself? I have
the
>shop manual, but have never done anything like this.
>
>Dave Hilsdorf
>2605 Ponderosa Drive
>Bellevue, NE 68123
>(402) 291-9198
>DaveHilsdorf
>1973 26' "something or other"
>
>To keep me up-to-date with your contact information, go to:
>http://www.planetall.com/main.asp?cid=400413
>It's private, secure, free, and they don't put you on any junk mail list.
>I've been with them since 1997.
>
 
To all: I wouldn't recommend welding. I'm not sure on exact particulars
regarding the weld but replacing a bolt with a weld isn't good. It's easy to
have a bolt made and heat treated if necessary. For this function and
application I'll be surprised if the weld doesn't break.
picksam

- -----Original Message-----
From: MR EUGENE R FISHER
To: davehilsdorf ;
gmcmotorhome
Date: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 10:21 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Shock broke

>-- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
>
>Everyone should be checking their right front shock. This is the one
>that hits every chuck hole, the edge of the highway , and the rough
>shoulders. There is no bogie to cut the bumps in half and 2,000 pounds
>comes down on this wheel. Mine broke the bolt to the A frame but the
>loop bracket stayed in place . This is why I did not notice the shock
>was loose. I had a noise on the right side and when I finally gave the
>shock a shake with my hand I found the broken pin . I could not find a
>bolt to replace the broken one , so I had it welded. We will see if it
>holds. The broken one would have to be ground off since it is riveted
>and welded so I am not sure which way is the best way to fix this.
>
>Everyone should crawl under their rig and shake the right front shock .
>
>Shake a shock today
>gene
>-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
>
>Date: Tuesday, 01-Sep-98 09:57 AM
>
>From: Dave Hilsdorf \ Internet: (davehilsdorf
>.com)
>To: gmclist \ Internet: (gmcmotorhome
>.org)
>
>Attachment: mimemsg.doc Code: 00I5VB7 \ Created: Unknown [3 Kb]
>
>Subject: GMC: Shock broke
>
>Right front shock sheared off at the bottom mount. Time for new shocks I
>'spose. I wondered why it got bouncy.
>Don't know exactly when. It drives OK, but bouncy, up to 60MPH, then the
>tire hop starts in.
>Well, they are 25 years old. Any suggestions for relacement shocks &
>where
>to get it done in the Bellevue/Omaha area or how to do it myself? I have
>the
>shop manual, but have never done anything like this.
>
>Dave Hilsdorf
>2605 Ponderosa Drive
>Bellevue, NE 68123
>(402) 291-9198
>DaveHilsdorf
>1973 26' "something or other"
>
>To keep me up-to-date with your contact information, go to:
>http://www.planetall.com/main.asp?cid=400413
>It's private, secure, free, and they don't put you on any junk mail list
>..
>I've been with them since 1997.
>
>
>
>-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
>
>
 
I had the exact same thing happen to me. Went with the KYB brand of shocks
and did all 6. Purchased mine from Gateway in St Louis. They had a 6 shock
special price. They have a WEB page at;

http://www.nettally.com/gateway/

>Right front shock sheared off at the bottom mount. Time for new shocks I
>'spose. I wondered why it got bouncy.
>Don't know exactly when. It drives OK, but bouncy, up to 60MPH, then the
>tire hop starts in.
>Well, they are 25 years old. Any suggestions for relacement shocks & where
>to get it done in the Bellevue/Omaha area or how to do it myself? I have the
>shop manual, but have never done anything like this.
>
>Dave Hilsdorf
>2605 Ponderosa Drive
>Bellevue, NE 68123
>(402) 291-9198
>DaveHilsdorf
>1973 26' "something or other"
>
>To keep me up-to-date with your contact information, go to:
>http://www.planetall.com/main.asp?cid=400413
>It's private, secure, free, and they don't put you on any junk mail list.
>I've been with them since 1997.
>
>
>

____/ / ____/ ____/ __ /
/ / / / / /
/ / ___ / / / /
/ / / / / /
____/ _/ ____/ ____/ _____/ Systems, INC.

Thom Hole
Cisco Systems Inc.
Federal Inside Sales Manager
ph: (919) 472-3975
fx: (408) 525-0232
800-888-8187 x23975
 
You may want to consider the below source for KYB shocks:

From: Phil Swanson [mailto:phil]
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 1998 6:41 PM
Subject: GMC: [Fwd: KYB shocks]

If anyone wants a killer deal on the KYBs, call PROAM at 1 (800)
847-5712, I got the rears for $35 each plus a small charge for shipping.

Lowest price here in San Diego was $45 each plus state tax. Saved 40
bucks just on the rears!. Didn't need fronts. P/Ns are:
Front: KG 5435
Rears: KG 5436

Keep on hunting for lowest prices, Phil Swanson

Paul Bartz

From: Thom Hole [mailto:thhole]
Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 3:11 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Shock broke

I had the exact same thing happen to me. Went with the KYB brand of
shocks and did all 6. Purchased mine from Gateway in St Louis. They
had a 6 shock special price. They have a WEB page at;
http://www.nettally.com/gateway/

Right front shock sheared off at the bottom mount. Time for new shocks I
'spose. I wondered why it got bouncy. Don't know exactly when. It
drives OK, but bouncy, up to 60MPH, then the tire hop starts in. Well,
they are 25 years old. Any suggestions for relacement shocks & where to
get it done in the Bellevue/Omaha area or how to do it myself? I have
the shop manual, but have never done anything like this.

Dave Hilsdorf
 
Hello out there in radio land! I hope everyone has a sense of humor;
everyone says they do but only a few have. Here's the test: A guy walks into
the phycristics office with a duck on his head - the doctor comes into the
lobby and says, " can I help you?" - the duck says, " yes, get this guy off
my ass". OK, read it again.

Hey, I've been in this GMC for the last six months, lighten up. Took off
last NOV haven't been the same since. Prayer would be nice at this point in
time. I think it's getting to me. Oh yeah! Samuel Pickens
picksam
- -----Original Message-----
From: Bartz, Paul
To: 'gmcmotorhome'
Date: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 4:21 PM
Subject: RE: GMC: Shock broke

>You may want to consider the below source for KYB shocks:
>
>From: Phil Swanson [mailto:phil]
>Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 1998 6:41 PM
>Subject: GMC: [Fwd: KYB shocks]
>
>If anyone wants a killer deal on the KYBs, call PROAM at 1 (800)
>847-5712, I got the rears for $35 each plus a small charge for shipping.
>
>Lowest price here in San Diego was $45 each plus state tax. Saved 40
>bucks just on the rears!. Didn't need fronts. P/Ns are:
>Front: KG 5435
>Rears: KG 5436
>
> Keep on hunting for lowest prices, Phil Swanson
>
>
> Paul Bartz
>
>From: Thom Hole [mailto:thhole]
>Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 3:11 PM
>Subject: Re: GMC: Shock broke
>
>I had the exact same thing happen to me. Went with the KYB brand of
>shocks and did all 6. Purchased mine from Gateway in St Louis. They
>had a 6 shock special price. They have a WEB page at;
>http://www.nettally.com/gateway/

>Right front shock sheared off at the bottom mount. Time for new shocks I
>'spose. I wondered why it got bouncy. Don't know exactly when. It
>drives OK, but bouncy, up to 60MPH, then the tire hop starts in. Well,
>they are 25 years old. Any suggestions for relacement shocks & where to
>get it done in the Bellevue/Omaha area or how to do it myself? I have
>the shop manual, but have never done anything like this.
>
>Dave Hilsdorf
 
>
> I bought my KYBs from Pro-Am out of Houston, TX 1 800 847 5712
> $35 each, plus a small pittance for shipping. Front: KG5435 Rear: KG5436
>

Just my luck! I ordered mine in June and they had gone up to $49.95
each plus $22.00 shipping from Texas to Georgia. Still a better deal
than Bilsteins.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
...snip....
>was loose. I had a noise on the right side and when I finally gave the
>shock a shake with my hand I found the broken pin . I could not find a
>bolt to replace the broken one , so I had it welded. We will see if it
>holds. The broken one would have to be ground off since it is riveted
>and welded so I am not sure which way is the best way to fix this.
....snip....
I found my coach repaired in this manner sometime in it's past life before
it got to me. Seems to have held up ok.

>Any suggestions for relacement shocks &
>where
>to get it done in the Bellevue/Omaha area or how to do it myself? I have
>the
>shop manual, but have never done anything like this.
>
>Dave Hilsdorf

Hi Dave,

I bought my KYBs from Pro-Am out of Houston, TX 1 800 847 5712
$35 each, plus a small pittance for shipping. Front: KG5435 Rear: KG5436

Tell them you have the motorhome with front wheel drive and 4 separate rear
wheels . I first ordered the fronts, installed them, liked them so much
I also ordered & put the rears on. *what a difference*!!!! It now drives
and handles like a dream, aside for some very minor quirks that can
probably be adjusted out later.
The rears also come with new plated hardware for the top.

Now I'm just a little guy - 5'-7" &130 lbs soaking wet, bereft of the
maintenance manual or impact wrenches, so if I can do it, you should be
able to as well IMHO. You may have to use a propane torch to heat nuts
with and to burn out rubber bushings, but it's no big deal, just takes a
lot of time & grunt work. Soak all the old nuts/bolts with good penetrant
& tap with hammer a few times the preceding day and that will help a lot.
If you are just replacing the fronts it can be done with the wheels and
tires in place. After removing the old shock, put the bottom of the new
one in first, then rotate the top onto the stud at the front, or hole on
the rears. *Be sure* you have a jack to support and raise the rear arm you
are working on should you decide to put new rears on.

BTW, I got the KYB source from a past post on this list, but forgot who
from. Whoever it was, a *big* thanks for a great source!!!

As always, best regards.

~ Ritch & Betty Hwang ~ mailto:rhwang
~ =^..^= Trinket ~ the shy Persian kitty
~ 76 GMC Birchaven ~ RVClub 00930 ICQ# 6408591
(B}>
 
I checked ProAm a week or so ago and they were still $34.95 each. Their
URL is http://www.proamtdw.com

Paul Bartz

From: Patrick Flowers [mailto:patri63]
Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 9:53 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Shock broke

I bought my KYBs from Pro-Am out of Houston, TX 1 800 847 5712 $35
each, plus a small pittance for shipping. Front: KG5435 Rear: KG5436

Just my luck! I ordered mine in June and they had gone up to $49.95
each plus $22.00 shipping from Texas to Georgia. Still a better deal
than Bilsteins.
 
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