Here we go again!
I have Monroe shocks all around on my 78 Eleganza (Fronts 19,000 miles,
rears 28,000 miles). Slap my hands! But everyone who has driven it says it
is one of the nicest handling GMCs around. It will literally go down I75 at
70mph hands off (for several hundred yards). Just ask Dave Greenberg, or
Alex Sirum. I put over 19,000 miles on her last year with no problems.
She has none of the symptomatic problems many here seems to hope that
"miracle" shocks or tires will cure. I have NO sway when passed by 18
wheelers, NO problems with "truck ruts", NO crosswind problems, NO handling
problems, NO looseness in steering, and NO white knuckles. She just goes
down the road straight and easy. My better half (105 lbs) drives her as much
as I do.
I can adjust the ride best with tire pressure ("E" 60lbs for soft to 80lbs
for hard). I run with 75# front and 70# rear as it slightly improves my
mileage. I also have Goodyear Workhorse Tires (Slap me again!) which are
strong but not expensive or exotic (I paid $597 last year for all 6
including all mounting and taxes).
I also have a 74 stretch with 6 KYBs (all with less than 5,000 mi) and it
drives the same way. No better - No worse. It has 6 ALL STEEL 10 ply
Bridgestone tires. Do I get extra credit here for paying almost $1,000 for
tires? OK, so the prior owner put them on.
However, when I replace my shocks on the 78 they will be KYBs because of the
reasons below. I don't think 1 of us in 20 could honestly tell the diff
between the ride of KYBs or Bilstiens if installed on the same coach on the
same day. I don't think you would go wrong with either. I'll also guess that
most of us couldn't tell the diff between Bilsteins, KYBs and other high
qual shocks.
Pepsi and Coke used to do taste tests all the time at fairs, concerts and
events. Reason they don't any more? Most average people could not tell the
difference!
While I am sure that a few of our "experts" might be able to tell the
difference between KYBs and Bilsteins, my guess is that most of the rest of
us could not. Plus you have a 50/50 chance of guessing correctly.
If you have worn out lousy shocks now, any new shock is going to make a
world of difference. Also if you have other suspension problems - no shock
or tire is going to fix that.
So for now I'll go with the strength and savings as I'm not convinced that
$200+ more money buys me something worth $200 (with 2 coaches that's $400+).
GMC Marketplace had a real nice comparison - if you read it real carefully
(written from the Bilstein perspective) it demonstrates the clear advantages
of Bilstein over all the other shocks except KYBs. While KYBs were in the
article their comparison with KYBs was glazed over.
The story (according to Alex) is that both Billsteins and KYB shocks are
designed to have resistance in and out (important for our GMC rear bogie
action). This is what most shocks do not have. He like BOTH shocks but likes
KYBs for the following two reasons:
1. KYBs are far less expensive as you can get them from many sources
(competition).
2. They are heavier duty (thicker shaft) - he has replaced several broken
Billsteins but of all the KYBs he has replaced some for various reasons but
claims none for breakage. But I am sure there are some broken KYBs out there
somewhere. Fess up guys (and gals).
Alex will also tell you, any good shock is fine on the front of the GMC
(dual action not an issue). He also has KYBs on all the coaches he drives
and owns.
I kinda like the extra $400-500 in my pocket right now.
Just my 11 cents worth - won't even buy you coffee
Mike F
>>
>> I have KYBs on mine for about 100k miles. Lifetime warranty. Many folks
>> think they are better than Billsteins and maybe better than everything
>> available today.
>>
>> That is what I heard.
>>
>> David Lee Greenberg F22009
>> GMC Motorhome Registry
>> 200 MacFarlane Drive PH4
>> Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
>>
I have Monroe shocks all around on my 78 Eleganza (Fronts 19,000 miles,
rears 28,000 miles). Slap my hands! But everyone who has driven it says it
is one of the nicest handling GMCs around. It will literally go down I75 at
70mph hands off (for several hundred yards). Just ask Dave Greenberg, or
Alex Sirum. I put over 19,000 miles on her last year with no problems.
She has none of the symptomatic problems many here seems to hope that
"miracle" shocks or tires will cure. I have NO sway when passed by 18
wheelers, NO problems with "truck ruts", NO crosswind problems, NO handling
problems, NO looseness in steering, and NO white knuckles. She just goes
down the road straight and easy. My better half (105 lbs) drives her as much
as I do.
I can adjust the ride best with tire pressure ("E" 60lbs for soft to 80lbs
for hard). I run with 75# front and 70# rear as it slightly improves my
mileage. I also have Goodyear Workhorse Tires (Slap me again!) which are
strong but not expensive or exotic (I paid $597 last year for all 6
including all mounting and taxes).
I also have a 74 stretch with 6 KYBs (all with less than 5,000 mi) and it
drives the same way. No better - No worse. It has 6 ALL STEEL 10 ply
Bridgestone tires. Do I get extra credit here for paying almost $1,000 for
tires? OK, so the prior owner put them on.
However, when I replace my shocks on the 78 they will be KYBs because of the
reasons below. I don't think 1 of us in 20 could honestly tell the diff
between the ride of KYBs or Bilstiens if installed on the same coach on the
same day. I don't think you would go wrong with either. I'll also guess that
most of us couldn't tell the diff between Bilsteins, KYBs and other high
qual shocks.
Pepsi and Coke used to do taste tests all the time at fairs, concerts and
events. Reason they don't any more? Most average people could not tell the
difference!
While I am sure that a few of our "experts" might be able to tell the
difference between KYBs and Bilsteins, my guess is that most of the rest of
us could not. Plus you have a 50/50 chance of guessing correctly.
If you have worn out lousy shocks now, any new shock is going to make a
world of difference. Also if you have other suspension problems - no shock
or tire is going to fix that.
So for now I'll go with the strength and savings as I'm not convinced that
$200+ more money buys me something worth $200 (with 2 coaches that's $400+).
GMC Marketplace had a real nice comparison - if you read it real carefully
(written from the Bilstein perspective) it demonstrates the clear advantages
of Bilstein over all the other shocks except KYBs. While KYBs were in the
article their comparison with KYBs was glazed over.
The story (according to Alex) is that both Billsteins and KYB shocks are
designed to have resistance in and out (important for our GMC rear bogie
action). This is what most shocks do not have. He like BOTH shocks but likes
KYBs for the following two reasons:
1. KYBs are far less expensive as you can get them from many sources
(competition).
2. They are heavier duty (thicker shaft) - he has replaced several broken
Billsteins but of all the KYBs he has replaced some for various reasons but
claims none for breakage. But I am sure there are some broken KYBs out there
somewhere. Fess up guys (and gals).
Alex will also tell you, any good shock is fine on the front of the GMC
(dual action not an issue). He also has KYBs on all the coaches he drives
and owns.
I kinda like the extra $400-500 in my pocket right now.
Just my 11 cents worth - won't even buy you coffee
Mike F
>>
>> I have KYBs on mine for about 100k miles. Lifetime warranty. Many folks
>> think they are better than Billsteins and maybe better than everything
>> available today.
>>
>> That is what I heard.
>>
>> David Lee Greenberg F22009
>> GMC Motorhome Registry
>> 200 MacFarlane Drive PH4
>> Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
>>
