Shock replacement

[dmadam]

I just had my wheel bearings repacked and brakes checked etc. I also took a look at the shocks. Just checked two and they were bad so assume the others are too. However the dealer gave me a price of $900. just for the labor. this seems little high to me. Any one have some experience with this?

Thanks
David

[wingfoot1]

Originally Posted by dmadam

I just had my wheel bearings repacked and brakes checked etc. I also took a look at the shocks. Just checked two and they were bad so assume the others are too. However the dealer gave me a price of $900. just for the labor. this seems little high to me. Any one have some experience with this?

Thanks
David

I just priced shocks at the airstream store at lansing. They were $38 each. That is high by my standards for a very simple shock. Your $900 is a ridiculous price. You have to jack unit up, remove tires to get to them, there will be some difficulty breaking the nuts and rubber bushings loose. Still a small job.

I wrote down the pertinent info: Gabriel shock, T40301SA, 610816.

Does anyone know how to cross reference these numbers in a auto parts house?

I plan to hit my local O'Reilly store etc.

[LLB21]

Hard to believe how someone could charge such a ridiculous amount. The shocks are about $38.00 each. They are available only from an Airstream dealer.

Labor couldn't be more than about one to two hours to do all four shocks including taking the tires off and on. I would find someone else to do the job. Lots of Brand X RV repair shops are afraid of Airstreams. They are afraid they will get into something they are not familiar with.

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by dmadam

I just had my wheel bearings repacked and brakes checked etc. I also took a look at the shocks. Just checked two and they were bad so assume the others are too. However the dealer gave me a price of $900. just for the labor. this seems little high to me. Any one have some experience with this?
Thanks
David

David,
Perhaps this is his way of telling you, he doesn't want the job~
ciao
53FC

[Sneakinup]

If you supply the plane ticket for me to Vegas, I'll do it for $500 spending money!

If you are handy, it is not that difficult to do at all. Even if you dropped the axles to get the shocks on, it wouldn't take all that long.

What did they charge you to repack the wheel bearings?

[Tarheel]

I have two numbers for you the first is for the older AS and I think it is the one you need Monroe 33033. It fits a 1/2" stud top and bottom.
The next number is NAPA 555003 it fits a 5/8" stud at the top and a 1/2" stud at the bottom. We had to look through every shock in the book to find these two. The travel is correct as well as the bushing size. I bought the 33033 for mine but the bushings were the wrong size and trust me on this you can't put a 5/8" stud in a 1/2" hole.
You will have to use a prybar of somesort to pull the mounting arm away from the body just enough to allow the shock to be removed. This is "Standard Operating Procedure" for these shocks and hurts nothing. They are mild steel and bend easily. You can put them back in place or not depending on how you feel about it when you finish.
But do replace those worn shocks, I almost lost my rig on a straight level piece of interstate going about 50 mph. The potable water tank was only 1/2 filled and the water began to slosh from side to side. The 3 axel unit was almost out of control.
Hope this helps

[Action]

David,

With the wheels removed to do the bearing pack, shocks could have been put on for very little effort. May be an extra 10 min per shock. Assuming 6 for a triple axle that adds up to 60 minutes total. If the $900 was for labor only,......hmmmmmm. Seems like there is some misunderstanding or I don;t understand the job.

I have replaced all 4 shocks on my vintage unit. And every vehicle I have ever had. Besides my Lincolns, shock replacement has been very easy. And even the Lincolns haven't been too bad. My '66 Overlander was easy.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[dmadam]

Thanks Guys for the info. They estimated 1 1/2 hours for each shock. Think I'll just slide under and figure it out. The bearing repack was $139. per axle.

Sneakinup-how bout a ticket and a couple hours at the penny slots and spit the winnings, not the losses. At least you might have fun in Sin City!

David

[Inland RV Center, In]

A "major" brake should be done every year or 10,000 miles, which ever is first.

A flat rate for a major brake for a 34 foot trailer is 3.5 hours. Replacing shocks at that time is flat rated at .2 to .3 hours, depending if the shock brackets must be bent or, if the shock bolts are rusted in place.

Contrary to opinion, axles do not have to be dropped in order to replace shocks.

Simply bend the brackets. It is also not necessary to straighten the brackets when done. Just leave them alone. It won't hurt a thing.

$900.00 for that job, means they don't want to do it, they lost big at the tables, or, they want to buy Hawaii, at your expense.

For the benefit of others, please post that companies name, so that others may not be exposed to that kind of ripoff.

Andy

[upallnight]

I've just changed the shocks on my 30' Sovereign. I used NAPA 94005 which are gas charged. I feel the gas charged are best because they provide a constant downward thrust on the torsion arm of the axle. The NAPA catalog says they come with T1 mounts on the top and bottom which is 5/8" stud mounting. When I opened the first box I found they come with 5/8" top and 1/2" bottom. I simply drilled the rubber bushing on the bottom mount to 5/8" on my drill press. The whole job including modifying the lower mount on each shock took about 5 hours. The cost of the shocks was $25.00 each.

[dmadam]

Thanks Andy, I went to them because Airstream gave me their name saying they have done work for them. I sent you an email before I went there asking if you knew anyone up here but you were in Hawii at the time.

The name of the place was Wheelers RV and the service writer was Nathan and the mechanic was Duke. By the way, did I get ripped off at $139. per axle for the bearing repack?

Thanks
David

[Inland RV Center, In]

David.

$278.00 for two axles divided by 2.5 hours (the flat rate time) is a $111.20 labor rate. I think that is very excessive.

Did they replace the grease seals? If not, I would raise holy devil with them.

Reference gas shocks.

Gas shocks are "NOT" recommended by Airstream. If they were better than the horizontal shocks, they would have used them in production.

The point of it is, each shock can carry and absorb just so much of a "shock" or "G" force. The greater the weight of the vehicle, the greater the duty must be of the shock.

Therefore, since gas can go through an "oriface" easier than a liquid, they will not do an "equal" job as the horizontal Airstream shocks, rendering gas shocks not acceptable for use on an Airstream trailer, that has Henschen axles.

It's still amazing, where a choice is made to down grade something Airstream has used for years, sometimes for price, not even talking about the same performance, let alone better. Gas shocks have zero performance history on an Airstream trailer.

And then there is the issue of problems down the road, that are ignored, but usually, Airstream will get blamed for it.

A shock is not just a shock. There are different kinds for different reasons and useages.

It is wise not confuse or ignore the issue.

Gas shocks do not belong on any Airstream or Argosy trailers, period, that are equipped with Henschen axles.

For the leaf spring trailer owners, your on your own.

Andy

[markdoane]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

David.

. . . . Gas shocks do not belong on any Airstream or Argosy trailers, period.

Andy

Would you make an exception for old leaf spring axles with vertically mounted shocks, or should I return them to the dealer?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Don.

My comments were directed to those owners that have Henschen axles only.

Sorry for the confusion. I will edit my original post.

Andy