Shock Replacement

[Jon Wehrenberg]

This comes under the "For What Its Worth Department".

I replaced all the shocks on the original coach and it was so long ago I can no longer say with confidence whether I did it with a 1/2" impact or a big wrench. All I remember is that it did require one of the wheels to come off per side. I don't remember now if it was the tag or a drive wheel.

But I do know it was not a big project, and it was fairly easy.

I did remove one of the shocks on the present coach to replace the bushings. I did use the 1/2 inch impact wrench and I think the whole job, start to finish was about 15 minutes. If I had to use a wrench it would have only taken a few minutes more.

[mike kerley]

This also, from the for what its worth department.

When Prevost was changing the rear shocks, at least two of them seemed to take forever to break loose with the impact wrench. They had been on the coach for 13 years, and were in no hurry to leave home. That sucker hammerered and hammered and hammered. Each one toke over 30 minutes to break loose. I'm thinking, had I been laying under this with a breaker bar (limited movement) I would have never got them loose. Maybe I'm just trying to justify the $'s. I hate getting almost finished with a job and finding one screw that is stripped and wont come out or one or two bolts that just wont break loose, and the job is a bust.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Having been a long term member of the busted knuckles club I find my tolerance level for fighting with old parts is diminishing.

Had my coach given me the grief you describe, Mike, my die grinder and a 3" abrasive wheel would have been brought into play to start the process of splitting the nut. I can't remember the size of the nut on the shocks, but it is hard to imagine a 3/4 or 1" impact wrench wouldn't spin the nut right off.

Ditto with removing any bushings that might have vulcanized themselves to the shock mount.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Dale you have 4 shocks on the steer axle and you have snapped the eyelets off on the forward ones?

[mike kerley]

Jon, I see the problem. I dont have a die grinder or 3" wheel. Other than the one built in, no air compresser. I need more tools! I will remove the granite floor and fill up the bay with tools. That will make momma happy.

Sorry, that was a poor excuse. I'm to lazy to fight those battles and dont have a good place to fight them in now so I'll surrender and run to Prevost Service. I truly admire the work that you and several others accomplish on your coaches. I'll keep struggling with the electrical side.

[win42]

Jon: Please post a picture of that machine you have that turns your bus on it's side for all those easy repairs and replacements. Rear shocks are tough to do even in a pit.

[lewpopp]

Harry, it was a pleasure to meet you and your lovely wife. Especially being escorted to our sites at Kerrville. Above all, the great times we spent together.

When do you fly to Oklahoma to pick up the new ride? I'm jealous.

Lew

[win42]

Lew: The pleasure of finally meeting you and kathy was the highlight of the trip for Shirley and I. You really are an old goat with whiskers. We had a lot of fun with everyone there. Be careful with those ice cubes.
We will be headed to Tulsa next Thursday to pick up the Liberty. Were getting anxious to drive it home. I just hope it's half of what Jon says those Liberty's are all about. Save your nickles for Branson because were planning on that one if fuel cost level off.

[dale farley]

Well I can see everyone has been talking about my shock replacement job but me. I've been tied up all day helping my son move. Anyway, I did order all 8 shocks from Prevost Tuesday, and I received the bushings yesterday. I thought I might get the shocks today, but they didn't show up, so maybe Monday.

I have removed my tag wheels before, but I see my rear wheels are tighter than my tags, so I don't know if I can get them or the front wheels off with my manual wrench and a cheater bar. I had a large air compressor that I used to work on my bull doziers but sold it last year since I didn't think I would need it after I got rid of the doziers. As with everything else I get rid of, I always need it afterwards. I don't know if I can get a long enough bar to devleop the leverage I will need to remove the wheels, but I will give it a try. If not, I suppose I will work around the wheels. I guess I could buy one of the 12X multipliers, but $650-$700 sounds expensive for a wrench. I intend to put the bus on my ramps so it will be about 12 inches off the ground before I start.

[garyde]

Hi Harry. Before you leave with your Liberty, spend as much time as you can to check out switches, guages, etc. It will take some time. Take notes. Enjoy. Gary