Shock Replacement Time?

[87MH]

Hey guys, I have a question on shocks specific to Motorhomes.

I tried to locate a recent thread on shocks, but the only ones I found were about a year old.

I have been unable to locate the replacement of any of the shocks in the maintenance history of the 1987 345, so at 16 years and 72,000 miles I suspect that it is about time.

I can set up a rocking (rolling) cycle by utilizing the entranceway step, two or three load cycles establishes a movement of about one half inch measured at the step bottom. The roll cycle will then continue for about four more cycles before no movement is discernable.

Two questions:

1 –
Is this continued rolling movement (4 cycles) serious enough to indicate worn shocks, and,

2 –
After I have the first shock off, what would an “unacceptable for further duty” test be?

I know the amount of work and time I am looking at, it would make no sense at all to go back on with an old shock, but I was just wondering if there is a rule of thumb for a P-30 type of shock that would indicate excessive wear, say 1” of immediate movement with a 100 pound force applied?

Anyone have any sources for (or thoughts on) a good Bilstein shock for the rear (tag axel) suspension, or an experienced based suggestion for the front spring assisted shocks?


Thanks

[want310]

Dennis

I don't know the formular for shock changes but if you go the Bilstien route here is where I got mine. This outfit is thumbs up as far as price & service. I recently installed them on my MH (not an A/S).

http://www.shocksonline.com/bilstein...ocks.asp?make='FORD'&model='E350,%20E450'&year='1998'

The page will open to my MH specs. I'm sure you can navagate the site to the P30 specs.

Steve

Another link.....front end assist etc.

http://www.timbren.com/

[want310]

Dennis

I don't know the formular for shock changes but if you go the Bilstien route here is where I got mine. This outfit is thumbs up as far as price & service. I recently installed them on my MH (not an A/S).

http://www.shocksonline.com/bilstein...ocks.asp?make='FORD'&model='E350,%20E450'&year='1998'

The page will open to my MH specs. I'm sure you can navagate the site to the P30 specs.

Steve

[Silvertwinkie]

Hey,

If you are going with Bilstiens, I can can tell you that I found a place on the web, I got 4 for dirt cheap.

shox.com

I in no way represent this company, I just heard of it from the car club forums. You will be shocked- no pun intended, on how cheaply they sell the Bilsteins for....

Regards,

Eric