mrfpm
Simi Valley, CA
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Joined: 09/28/2006
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Can any of you that have either replaced with Bilsteins or Koni's supply me the part numbers for a 2006 Jayco 35GS (22,000lb Chassis)?
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mfa
Florida
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Joined: 08/28/2006
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MotherTucker wrote:I just did recently did this, and got them off by using a large channel-lock pliers. There's a flattened "nut" there just on the top of the upper tube. It looks round at first glance, but 2 sides of it are actualy flattened, and I could grab and hold it with the channel-lock pliers. Then take the top nut off with a box wrench. If you had the proper size and (slim) thickness open end wrench, that would also work.
mt
If you are talking about the end of the threaded shaft, that is not the case on the shocks that came with my Kodiak C5500. I confirmed that today. Even made an impression of the end of the shaft with some plumber's putty. It had no flats on it.
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mfa
Florida
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I still have not gotten around to trying to put the front shocks on, but we did take our first substantial trip this weekend with the rear Bilsteins installed. I am amazed by the difference that they made just by themselves. Not a hint of the instability that I had before when passed by big trucks. Also, we drove 60 miles back today with a 20-30 mph gusty wind that came from every quarter at one point or other during the trip. No stability problems at all.
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mfa
Florida
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Still haven't put the front shocks on, but did drive 250 miles last week towing with the rear Bilsteins installed. (The post dated 9/30 was without the toad.)
Performance was not quite as stable towing as it was not-towing, but it was still MUCH better than it used to be towing with the original rear shocks.
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mfa
Florida
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Finally got the front shocks installed today with the help of my great son-in-law. Here are the tools I ended up using --
To remove the original shocks...
21mm wratchet wrench ($8 at Sears)
8" extra-wide crescent wrench that will open to 27mm ($9 at Lowes)
To install the Bilsteins...
18mm "gear wrench" similar to a wratchet wrench ($18 at Lowes)
The above cresent wrench.
On one of the original shocks, we had a tough time prying the top washer & bushing off. On the other, they came off easily.
I dreaded doing the right side since access looked so much harder. In the end, however, it was no harder after temporarily removing some wiring harness clips to move things out of the way.
Headed out on a 2,500 mile trip next week. Will post handling results when we get back.
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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Joined: 06/05/2006
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mfa wrote:Finally got the front shocks installed today with the help of my great son-in-law. Here are the tools I ended up using --
To remove the original shocks...
21mm wratchet wrench ($8 at Sears)
8" extra-wide crescent wrench that will open to 27mm ($9 at Lowes)
To install the Bilsteins...
18mm "gear wrench" similar to a wratchet wrench ($18 at Lowes)
The above cresent wrench.
On one of the original shocks, we had a tough time prying the top washer & bushing off. On the other, they came off easily.
I dreaded doing the right side since access looked so much harder. In the end, however, it was no harder after temporarily removing some wiring harness clips to move things out of the way.
Headed out on a 2,500 mile trip next week. Will post handling results when we get back.
Hope you and SIL do not have to many nicks on your hands.
Have a safe trip.
2004 Gulf Stream Endura 6340 D/A
Saf-TTE tire monitor
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mfa
Florida
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ronfisherman wrote:Hope you and SIL do not have to many nicks on your hands.
Have a safe trip.
Only three on mine! 
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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Joined: 09/04/2003
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Congratulations!
I read this with interest even though ours is a Ford because I DIY all the repairs. I was amazed how easy the difficult-looking fronts were, once I actually started on them. My good news was the replacements came with a 3/4" hex right at the top of the rod, so I could tighten the new ones by holding the top nut and turning the shaft with the hex.
What I wanted to add: I know it must be close to the end of a vacation when I look at my hands and everything is healed!
Merry CHRISTmas!
God Bless, jd
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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Joined: 06/05/2006
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mfa wrote:ronfisherman wrote:Hope you and SIL do not have to many nicks on your hands.
Have a safe trip.
Only three on mine!
I knew there had to be some battle scars.  I Can always figure one or more from every project I do. So far none have required any care beyond a good wash and Band-aid. 
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mfa
Florida
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mfa wrote:...Headed out on a 2,500 mile trip next week. Will post handling results when we get back.
We're back from towing to Texas and back. On some occasions when being passed by a truck, I could feel pressure from their bow wave acting to force me over to the right, but adjusting for it was smooth and easy. With the original shocks, I would frequently get into a situation of steering correction and rocking that seemed nearly unstable. Didn't have a single instance of near-instability during this whole trip. The Bilsteins were definitely worth every penny and installation effort.
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