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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » What Shocks do you use? (Shock Absorbers - Brands Used)
What Shocks do you use? [message #355132] Tue, 26 May 2020 08:55 Go to next message
Clark76 is currently offline  Clark76   United States
Messages: 62
Registered: February 2010
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Shocks[ 22 votes ]
1. I have no Idea what Shocks are on my coach 0 / 0%
2. I use AC/Delco 0 / 0%
3. I use Bilstein 4 / 18%
4. I use KYB 18 / 82%
5. I use Monroe 0 / 0%
6. I use Some Other Brand 0 / 0%

POLL: What Shock Absorbers do you currently have on your coach?

If SOB (Some other Brand) identify in the comments.
Or, if you use more than one brand - Example: KYB on the Front and A/C Delco on the Back.

Are you happy with what you have, or will you be making a change? Problems Issues?
More importantly what brand will you pick next?

FOR REFERENCE: Shock Absorbers - from Manny Trovao 2008:
http://gmcws.org/Tech/GMC_Shocks.pdf
Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #355151 is a reply to message #355132] Tue, 26 May 2020 14:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Clark,

Some will say that Bilsteins are better, but I have had 3 fail on the rear of my coach and it is now all KYB. Those are the only two manufacturers (I believe) that still make the reverse damping that is needed for the rear four.

Back when I was racing small cars, Bilstein were the only ones that would A-Last, B-Work.

As you might guess, I am no longer impressed. Of the three that leaked, two just leaked and the third started leaking when I jacked up the rear and even with no pressure on the airspring. When they leak fluid, they have alos leaked some of the gas charge.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] What Shocks do you use? [message #355152 is a reply to message #355151] Tue, 26 May 2020 14:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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My experience also. The Bilsteins also have weak welds on the mounting
eyes. KYB's I have used and installed on many coaches. One comeback that I
had, Jim K took care of. No questions asked.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Tue, May 26, 2020, 12:39 PM Matt Colie via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> Clark,
>
> Some will say that Bilsteins are better, but I have had 3 fail on the rear
> of my coach and it is now all KYB. Those are the only two manufacturers (I
> believe) that still make the reverse damping that is needed for the rear
> four.
>
> Back when I was racing small cars, Bilstein were the only ones that would
> A-Last, B-Work.
>
> As you might guess, I am no longer impressed. Of the three that leaked,
> two just leaked and the third started leaking when I jacked up the rear and
> even with no pressure on the airspring. When they leak fluid, they have
> alos leaked some of the gas charge.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #355155 is a reply to message #355132] Tue, 26 May 2020 16:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Shawn Bennear is currently offline  Shawn Bennear   United States
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Registered: February 2007
Location: Edinburg, PA
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I also will say I am very happy with my KYB's... Rides nice, and priced right too!


http://www.gmcmotorhomeworld.com 1977 Palm Beach, 403 V8 w headers.
Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #355158 is a reply to message #355132] Tue, 26 May 2020 19:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
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When I brought my coach home back in 2002, Up on stands and found 4 of the 6 Billsteins did not work at all. Two of those 4 were broken in two but still attached to the mounts. The other two were in one piece, but all of the fluid had leaked out. The two in front worked but were weak. I replace them with KYB's gas shocks. 17 yrs and some 70K miles later, just two weeks ago, doing some suspension work, I had a chance to check them. All were still working fine. All still had good rebound from the gas that was still in them. The only problems I have had with them is the rubber mounts have all crushed and in several cases actually slipped out of the ring mount. I replaced them with polyurethane bushings and have had no issues since. IMO, go with KYB's. If you do KYB's, I'd put the urethane bushings in right away and be done with it. Just what I'd do.

Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #360004 is a reply to message #355132] Sat, 07 November 2020 14:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Clark76 is currently offline  Clark76   United States
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UPDATE: Installed new Shocks 2020.

Just to mix things up, I split the difference:

2 - Bilstein's up front and 4-KYB's in the Back (along with new bearings).

Old Monroe shocks were in poor shape. Right Rear back was actually broken on my last trip. The weld on the upper mounting eye breaking and peeling the metal back around the bushing and jamming the shock next to the coach.

Post replacement, to no surprise the coach drives great.
Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #360013 is a reply to message #355132] Sun, 08 November 2020 18:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
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6 Bilsteins.
I might try KYB front for more damping. I can use up and exceed the Bilstein damping ability if multiple road dips are additive. Bilsteins are fine in back as 2 per side.


John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] What Shocks do you use? [message #360014 is a reply to message #360013] Sun, 08 November 2020 18:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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I have seen a fair number of failures on the rear of GMC motorhomes on
Bilsteins. Several of them broke the top ring mount completely off. Their
welds leave something to be desired, in my opinion. Perhaps, they were all
too short for the coach, and were not the correct for this application.
Some of them were different part numbers, though. So, I kinda ruled that
out as a cause. I have never seen a KYB top ring broken, though I have seen
a number of rubber bushings fail. Ez fix. Also, Bilstein warranties suck.
KYB, replacements, never had a problem.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Sun, Nov 8, 2020, 4:29 PM John R. Lebetski via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> 6 Bilsteins.
> I might try KYB front for more damping. I can use up and exceed the
> Bilstein damping ability if multiple road dips are additive. Bilsteins are
> fine
> in back as 2 per side.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
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Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #360015 is a reply to message #355132] Sun, 08 November 2020 19:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
SpookyEng is currently offline  SpookyEng   United States
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KYBs, They work well and I’ve had no issues with them in three years.

JD Lisenby- USAF Ret 1978 Royale-455 MacDash, Manny Tranny, FI-tech, 3.70 etc etc Navarre, FL
Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #360016 is a reply to message #355158] Sun, 08 November 2020 21:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
dsmithy is currently offline  dsmithy   
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Location: Lincoln Nebraska
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Larry,
Where did you get the urethane bushings for the KYB's.


Douglas & Virginia Smith, dsmithy18 at gmail, Lincoln Nebraska, ’73 “Sequoia” since ‘95: "Wanabizo"; Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy wheels/Sundry other
Re: [GMCnet] What Shocks do you use? [message #360017 is a reply to message #360016] Sun, 08 November 2020 22:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Doug,
If you cannot find the gromet, we have them.


On Sun, Nov 8, 2020 at 7:57 PM Douglas Smith via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> Larry,
> Where did you get the urethane bushings for the KYB's.
> --
> Douglas & Virginia Smith
> dsmithy18 at gmail
> Lincoln Nebraska
> ’73 “Canyonlands” since ‘95: "Wanabizo";
> Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy
> wheels(finally!)/Sundry other
>
>
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
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www.appliedgmc.com
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Re: [GMCnet] What shocks do you use? [message #360018 is a reply to message #355152] Sun, 08 November 2020 23:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
BobDunahugh is currently offline  BobDunahugh   United States
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Got KYB's from Jim K 17 years ago. Had a very small issue with one. Called Jim. He solved the problem the next day. Been very happy with KYB's. I just buy everything I need from Jim. Bob Dunahugh
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Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #360020 is a reply to message #360016] Mon, 09 November 2020 08:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
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dsmithy wrote on Sun, 08 November 2020 21:57
Larry,
Where did you get the urethane bushings for the KYB's.
Doug,
Here is a copy/paste of a post I did a while back on this issue. HTH.

In 2002 I brought my coach home from Houston. Among other things, I checked the shocks, and found all Bilstiens. Two were broken at the top ring. Two were intact, but all of the oil had leaked out, so were nonfunctional. The last two were functional but near dead. On the advice of others on the net, I bought kyb's. I have about 65K miles on them now and my only complaint is that the bushings in the mounting rings are too soft for the application, especially the uppers. The rubber di-forms and actually squashes out of the ring; I have replaced all of the bushings with "Energy Suspension" 3/4" Polyurethane hourglass shaped bushings, Part #9.8108. These bushings have held up for 6 or 8 years now without degrading. Unless kyb has responded to other complaints relative to the bushings and corrected it with a harder material, I personally would put those Polyurethane bushing in new kyb's and avoid this problem later. Other than that issue, the kyb's have preformed well for me and I'd buy them again. JMHO


Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #360023 is a reply to message #355132] Mon, 09 November 2020 11:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pjburt is currently offline  pjburt   United States
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I have used KYBs exclusively on all my vehicles (well except for Monroe rear air shocks on my ElCaminos) for over 40 years with no problems. I first started using them on my off-road trucks and quickly started using them on my other vehicles.

Jerry Burt Fresno, CA.
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #360028 is a reply to message #355132] Mon, 09 November 2020 16:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   Canada
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Chaumière came to us with a little over 100K on her and all Bilstein. Over the next 70k+/- they failed either by leaking when the rear was lifted or loosing their damping. I did not have any actually break. I just bought KYBs two at a time and I am very pleased with them.

Back in my racing days, it was either Bilstein or Koni. Needless to say, none of those vehicles when very many miles or years for that matter.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] What Shocks do you use? [message #360033 is a reply to message #360028] Mon, 09 November 2020 20:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
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II just drove my coach, I have fairly new bilstiens, I think one is failing as it's bounding funny.
I'll pay for KYB's before I take free bullstiens
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Matt Colie via Gmclist
Sent: Monday, November 9, 2020 4:05 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Cc: Matt Colie
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] What Shocks do you use?

Chaumière came to us with a little over 100K on her and all Bilstein. Over the next 70k+/- they failed either by leaking when the rear was lifted or
loosing their damping. I did not have any actually break. I just bought KYBs two at a time and I am very pleased with them.

Back in my racing days, it was either Bilstein or Koni. Needless to say, none of those vehicles when very many miles or years for that matter.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
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Re: What Shocks do you use? [message #360038 is a reply to message #355132] Tue, 10 November 2020 07:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Two makes, so no vote.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] What Shocks do you use? [message #360040 is a reply to message #360038] Tue, 10 November 2020 08:22 Go to previous message
powwerjon is currently offline  powwerjon   United States
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I have run both the Bilstein and KYB and have had much better service out of the KYB shocks. The first coach we had did have Bilsteins and they were dead players (all Positions). Have run KYB on all my 3 coaches since that date with out problems and they still have good action.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States Charter Member
GMCMI
78 GMC Buskirk 29.5’ Stretch
75 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

> On Nov 10, 2020, at 8:23 AM, Johnny Bridges via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Two makes, so no vote.
>
> --johnny
> --
> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
>
>
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