How hard to replace front shocks?

[belfert]

How hard is it to replace front shocks on a bus in general?  It looks simple with just a bolt top and bottom, but what looks simple often is not.  Do I have to jack up the bus to get the shock extended longer?

Any suggestions on what brand shocks to get.  I have part numbers for Monroe, Koni, and Gabriel shocks.  I have not been to find the Koni part number anywhere online, but maybe the part number changed.

[Cary and Don]

Easy on our Eagle.  We bought Garbriel double action shocks. We love them and used them all the way around. The hardest part was getting the old bolts to break loose.

Don and Cary

[bevans6]

Getting the bolts to undo is hard, sometimes.  I used a 4 foot bar.  If they point out and you can get your 1" gun on them, all the better.  If you know you are going to change the shock, putting heat on the bolt or nut helps, but destroys the old rubber bushing and the nylock in the nut.

Brian

[belfert]

Are the Gabriel double action shocks any different than their normal heavy duty shocks?  

Surprisingly, the bolts for my shocks seem to be almost free of rust.  I might have to buy some new tools for this, but probably still less money than paying someone to do it.

[Melbo]

I just replaced them on my 8 before my road trip.  It took about an hour for both.  The nut was a 1 1/4 inch  and I used a box end wrench and pry bar to break them loose.  I used Monroe gas charged.  Took longer to lube the front and adjust the brakes than to put the shocks on.

HTH

Melbo

[Lin]

We changed our front shocks about 7 years back.  I used Koni just based on reputation.  There was a noticeable difference between them and the ones I replaced, but I really have no idea if they do better than a cheaper brand of new ones.

[luvrbus]

You really need double action Gabriel on the front axle with the torque suspension to prevent cupping but we all do it different, Koni's are a great shock for a air ride system a waste of money for your suspension system IMO    

[belfert]

Is the dual action Gabriel different than the standard Gabriel Fleetline 85000 series?  I need the 85716 model.  I have Koni shocks now, but I can't find Koni replacements and I hear they are expensive anyhow.

If I thought a shop could do them in an hour I would have them do it, but my normal shop couldn't give an estimate as my Dina is only the second one they have ever worked on and they have never done shocks on a Dina.