Front shocks

Tires, shocks, sway bars, air bags... What crosswind?
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Lou0403
Weekend Camper
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:35 pm
B190 Year: 1966
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Location: Crossville, TN

Front shocks

Post by Lou0403 »

Here I am again, asking the dumb woman questions. Last fall when I purchased new tires I was told the front shocks were half gone. Since I plan to head west in April I would like everything to be okay. I was quoted a price for front shocks installed of under $200. Heavy duty would be around $400. I was reading the comments about Bilstein shocks. Would that be what the tire place means by heavy duty? Or are there even more choices? Help!
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lido14co
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B190 Year: 1992
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Location: Los Osos, CA

Re: Front shocks

Post by lido14co »

Bilstein makes a heavy duty and a comfort ride shock. Get the heavy duty. I ordered mine online and had my local tire shop install them for a hundred bucks. A set of four is running $355 on eshocks http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?Mode ... &SubChar=Q. I'd recommend replacing all four but doing just the fronts should make driving more pleasurable. Happy trails!


Cliff
Lou0403
Weekend Camper
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:35 pm
B190 Year: 1966
WBCCI: 0
Location: Crossville, TN

Re: Front shocks

Post by Lou0403 »

Thanks for the advice. Since only the front shocks are bad, I'm only having them replaced. $405 installed for the Bilstein. They're on order for me. I know I'm paying more than you guys did, but that's part of being a woman.
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Planck
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Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:00 am

Re: Front shocks

Post by Planck »

I don't know how you know only the fronts need replacing. I did all 4 last fall and all 4 were worn, original Ford shocks. You might try a local community college with an auto tech program. Sometimes they will install for free as a training project for their students. BTW, it is a terrible job even for us men, so a good decision on your part.
Mgittrich
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B190 Year: 1993
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Re: Front shocks

Post by Mgittrich »

Last fall I decided to upgrade the suspension in my 93 B190 based on the posts in this forum. I've put about 30k miles on the RV over the last 5 years and have experienced a few control issues while driving in high crosswind areas. I couldn't decide what was the best approach, Bilstein shocks or Helwig stabalizer bars. So I decided to have both done and then I could just forget it.

I ordered front and rear Bilstein shocks from http://tirerack.com total cost was about $370 dollars. The front shocks were in stock but there was about a 4 week back order on the rear shocks.

I also ordered front and rear Helwig stabalizer bars through Amazon. The total cost for them wad about $400.

Once I had the shocks and stabilizers in hand I called around and found a place that would install the shocks and stabilizers for $500. Not cheap but I thought they were reliable.

I did these enhancements right before I put the B190 in storage for the winter so I put very few miles, less that 100, on the vechicle. I could however tell that the ride was stiffer and it looked like the B190 rode a little bit higher. I'll post some feedback on this forum after I complete my summer trek.

Good luck with your upgrades! I think both shocks and stabilizers are great enhancements.

Mike
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