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Old 09-23-2010, 05:06 PM   #1
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1988 34.5' Airstream 345
Livingston , Texas
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Question on front shocks on 345

It looks like the front shocks are original on 1988 345 that I recently purchased. My question is they have springs attached to the shock & I can't find a replacement like it. Does the spring come off and attach to a new shock or should I go with regular shocks with no spring. Thanks again! Moe
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Old 09-24-2010, 01:50 PM   #2
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Someone has put "coil-over" shocks on your coach. I have not seen any of these on a motorhome. Do you have the air bags inside your main front springs? If your air bags are there and serviced with the proper 55 psi air pressure, there is no need for the coil-overs.
I replaced our shocks a few years ago. Bilstein makes some great shocks for our P-30 chassis.
You can go on line and find some great deals too.
Good luck, Rob
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Old 03-04-2011, 02:09 PM   #3
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I know this is kind of an old thread but my '88 345 came with these shocks as well. They are factory installed along with the air helper springs in the main coils by the factory according to my owners manual and they are made by Bilstein. I have sent Bilstein an email along with pictures and part numbers to see if I can get replacements (they are not listed in their catalog so my hopes aren't high). I will update when I get more information. FYI the shocks have a special ring that holds the top aluminum casting in place so you can't simply remove the springs and the aluminum castings and install them on another set of shocks. Sure would be nice if you could though! Anyhow, I'll post Bilstein's reply as soon as I hear back from them. By the way, have you done anything with yours yet?
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Old 03-04-2011, 04:46 PM   #4
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Whoops, I mixed up info read on the forum and other sites (and the fact that they are yellow and blue) with what I read in the owner's manual, the owners manual does state that the coil over shocks are factory installed, it does not say they are Bilstein. I should check my facts before I post instead of afterwards... Anyhow, once I quit looking for these in the Bilstein catalog I found them real fast, they are made by Trailmaster.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc..._om60g&cad=rja
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Old 03-05-2011, 10:52 AM   #5
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The shocks are available from Summit Racing part number TRL-630849 for $31.99 each, there was no picture but I am assuming at this price you only get the shocks and have to switch out the springs and aluminum castings from the old shocks onto the new ones. I ordered mine today and will update this thread when they arrive.
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Old 03-17-2011, 01:47 PM   #6
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Shocks arrived the other day, they were bare shocks, didn't even include bushings. I wanted polyurethane so I had to order those as well. Got them today and installed them on my 345. They look great but I wish they had been yellow like the original ones. Boy the old ones were shot! Can't wait to see how much better the ol' girl rides now...
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Old 03-17-2011, 04:09 PM   #7
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Here is the page from the owners manual mentioning the shocks and proper setting for the shocks. I don't know how many motorhomes they installed these on but they are factory added pieces.
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Old 03-17-2011, 09:48 PM   #8
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1986 34.5' Airstream 345
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Ours had the same ones on her. I asked here on the forum if they were original and was told no so thanks for the new info.
josh
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Old 03-18-2011, 10:04 AM   #9
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Cool, I'm glad I was able to provide some information for my fellow forum members. Hopefully others will be able to find these shocks now when they need to replace their own and if you are still running the originals I imagine you need new ones... Mine had 45,000 miles on them and were trash but I imagine 23 years of service had more to do with that than the mileage.

On a side note the rep from Trail Master said I could also order the shocks through Rocky Mountain Suspension but I had already found and ordered them from Summit Racing Equipment when he emailed me and I have had nothing but positive experiences with Summit Racing and I have placed many orders with them over the past 25 years or so.
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Old 07-27-2011, 10:47 AM   #10
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Springs on front shocks? I looked in my manual and the front shocks are listed as warrantied by Airstream and that is the only place it says anything about them. I replaced the shocks some years back and neither the old or the new have springs.
I have one air bag bad and was thinking of replacing the front coil springs with a higher load rated set. That is it I can find the thread that addressed the springs. Now I need shocks w/springs too. The hurt is on.
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Old 07-27-2011, 11:28 AM   #11
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All because they used a standard spring with the P-30 chassis and did not opt for the heavy duty coil spring. for RV usage.

so in go the air bags and the Rancho Like coil over shocks by A.S. to amend the error. Kind of
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Old 07-27-2011, 01:41 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by John Haggard View Post
All because they used a standard spring with the P-30 chassis and did not opt for the heavy duty coil spring. for RV usage.

so in go the air bags and the Rancho Like coil over shocks by A.S. to amend the error. Kind of
Lets see: 1)bad air bag, 2)the wrong shocks, 3)springs that have 25 years of being over loaded and 4)the rubber stops are destroyed.
So someone tell me I'm wrong. Here goes: The air bags give 500-1000 pound more load, help stabilize, softens ride; coil spring shocks are no-load but help keep the rubber stops from being destroyed and help stabilize; OE spring are 3289 pound rated the bag 1000 pound for 4289 pounds which is setting on 3525 pound rated tires. I can buy a 4289 pound spring set ($161) and go ahead and replace the air bags ($80) and keep the wrong shocks at no extra cost.
Has anyone changed to the HD springs?
Does any of this make sense?
Should I or shouldn't I?
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Old 07-28-2011, 11:02 AM   #13
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No one said no, so I did. One pair of HD springs, one pair of Firestone bag bags from TD Truck Springs. Not that I'm pushing TD Truck Springs, just want everyone to know how I died it I make a mistake while changing them. This maybe one of those: Get the hired help to do it
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Old 07-28-2011, 08:26 PM   #14
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There is a thread about replacing the 'doughnut' suspension bags...actually sounds pretty simple if you have more mechanical ability than I do...Firestone makes them, and most competent mechanics can install them in a short amount of time...sometimes, mobile mechanics are more...well...versatile in repairs than fixed shops...if you find a good mechanic, hold onto them...worth their weight in gold...m
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Old 07-28-2011, 08:49 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by choctawmel View Post
No one said no, so I did. One pair of HD springs, one pair of Firestone bag bags from TD Truck Springs. Not that I'm pushing TD Truck Springs, just want everyone to know how I died it I make a mistake while changing them. This maybe one of those: Get the hired help to do it
I was looking through the "Chevrolet Motor Home Chassis Service Guide" the manual listed in another thread recently. On page section 3-9 there is a good explanation and warning about aftermarket HD springs. I would scan and post but I am on the road and don't have access to a scanner. Hopefully someone else will post it. Basically they say HD springs can cause spring bind and big problems.

If nobody posts it I will try to type it but I type veeeerrrryyy slowly.

Cheers, Dan
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Old 07-28-2011, 10:27 PM   #16
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I read the part about that spring bind and it scared me but when I spoke with the people at the spring company thy confirmed that it was due to using fatter springs not stiffer metal. As long as you buy from a big dealer thy don't wont to be sued so thy are going to make sure your spring is not going to compress (bind) before they hit the bumper. But my worry is can the ball joints Handel the added load?? Larry I think has had them fail if I remember correctly I know it was some one with a diesel and it had to due with weight.
I just changed my coil springs with 500lb more on each (the smallest increase I could find) I put the bags back as well figuring I would run 30lb instead of 55lb. I have added 600+lbs to the front of my 345 and I hope I will not have problems with ball joints.
If you are planing on changing you springs you should take a min and watch this videofrom on changing them.
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Old 07-28-2011, 10:37 PM   #17
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Thanks for posting that.
Its good to watch and see how the front end is laid out.
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Old 07-29-2011, 01:39 AM   #18
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Had those on my PU back in the 70s, they were very popular.
Keep watch on that upper shock mount, the added force from the shock spring can wallow out the hole, and you will not see it when your searching for the reason of all the noise, and you cannot shake the shock by hand since the spring keeps it all expanded and tight.
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Old 07-29-2011, 01:12 PM   #19
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The bags are coming out of Lenexa, KS, well be here Tomorrow. The springs departed Harrisburg, , PA yesterday and arrive next Wednesday. Jury's still out on weather I want to do it or hire it done. It being over 100 every day for the foreseeable future here, I leaning toward hire it done.
Need to find the rubber stops. They make a coil spring bump stop that adds another 1800 pounds.
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Old 07-29-2011, 05:45 PM   #20
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The good thing about having them installed is accountability...the bad thing is KNOWING how they were installed...I mostly opt for accountability....I have been burned, but having found a reliable mechanic in Tucson, I will limp there for his help...AZ Mobile Mechanic...a worthwhile plug...and an honest man...m
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