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11-17-2018, 12:12 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.2
State: Florida
Posts: 116
THOR #13661
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Todays mods: Hellwigs (x2), Bilsteins (x5)
Hello again all...
Todays mods consisted of building some ramps and installing front and rear Hellwig anti-sway bars (MUCH thicker than stock), 4 Bilsteins on the corners (comforts on front, HD on back) and a Bilstein Steering stabilizer shock.
Upon taking off the stock shocks, 2 of the 4 were already shot (severely decreased gas charge - see pic of fronts). 2k miles on the Axis and I haven't even used it yet. There's MUCHO weight on our rigs, my brothers... The stock steering stabilizer was also a joke. I could push it & out with little pressure. The Bilsteins, however, were a PITA to compress and install. Yet, it was allllllll worth it.
Despite threads that say the Bilstein Steering stabilizer shock is over-pressurized, mine was fine. I push it in, it stays in etc... It's just MUCH tighter than stock.
While under the RV, I noticed that the front end grease fittings looked dry. There were... It took approx. 6 squirts of grease in each boot before they would bulge. Might want to check yours...
Tomorrows project - replacing LED on/off switches with LED Touch Panel switches.
AJ
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"The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears."
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11-17-2018, 01:16 AM
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#2
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Wisconsin
Posts: 59
THOR #10872
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Thank you for the write-up, definitely something to add to the modifications list. Looking forward to the switch upgrade.
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11-17-2018, 10:01 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.2
State: Florida
Posts: 116
THOR #13661
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Off Our Rocker RV
Thank you for the write-up, definitely something to add to the modifications list. Looking forward to the switch upgrade.
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Thanks. This forum keeps turning my photos.
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"The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears."
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11-17-2018, 10:38 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 37.1
State: California
Posts: 2,460
THOR #12698
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I was told that the bilsteins were the way to go for shocks. How are they in comparison with regular shocks as far as price? I have a 2018 THOR Siesta and while out camping one weekend, a couple of new friends told me about the shocks and how great they were in handling. I am not sure how good the factory shocks are once the coach was added to the weight after the build.
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11-18-2018, 01:25 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.2
State: Florida
Posts: 116
THOR #13661
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulwadley
I was told that the bilsteins were the way to go for shocks. How are they in comparison with regular shocks as far as price? I have a 2018 THOR Siesta and while out camping one weekend, a couple of new friends told me about the shocks and how great they were in handling. I am not sure how good the factory shocks are once the coach was added to the weight after the build.
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The stock shocks/sway bars are garbage. The front sway bar weighed zilch, the rear not much more. I was an ASE Certified mechanic and swear by Bilstein. My wife's Durango has them and they also made a world of difference. Same with a 4x4 Sportsmobile I built a few years ago... Put it this way, 2 out of the 4 stock shocks were already shot @ 2k miles. That tells me all 4 would have been done in short order. Hellwigs MAY help the shocks survive by reducing quick ups & downs etc... But, I'd go the full monty...
__________________
"The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears."
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11-23-2018, 02:09 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: axis 25.1
State: Indiana
Posts: 18
THOR #5637
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewAxisOwner
The stock shocks/sway bars are garbage. The front sway bar weighed zilch, the rear not much more. I was an ASE Certified mechanic and swear by Bilstein. My wife's Durango has them and they also made a world of difference. Same with a 4x4 Sportsmobile I built a few years ago... Put it this way, 2 out of the 4 stock shocks were already shot @ 2k miles. That tells me all 4 would have been done in short order. Hellwigs MAY help the shocks survive by reducing quick ups & downs etc... But, I'd go the full monty...
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Trying to decide between Komi and bilsteins- looking for something to soften ride- my 2015 axis 25.1 takes bumps bad
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11-23-2018, 04:59 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
Posts: 2,669
THOR #12231
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It seems ike most member post the Bilstiens are softer. Thats what im going to put on mine next year when it warms up. I have had good luck with Bilsteins in the past.
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2017 Axis / 25.4: Big Foot Levelers, Aims 1200 Watt inverter, Ceramic Window Tint, Full River AGM 6V batteries, Front Hellwig Sway bar / Rear Track Arm, Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer, PD 4655 converter, Hard Wired Surge Guard, WEboost + WiFi Ranger, LED Headlights/Driving lights, TPMS, Surge tank, Tornado flush, Viair Compressor
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11-23-2018, 05:07 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
Posts: 2,669
THOR #12231
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Newaxisowner - is your steering stabilizer just a "damping shock" (Like the the OEM but better)? Or is it "Self Centering"?
I installed the Saftyplus on mine - big difference. It has 500# of pressure pushing either way until centered. So now in like parking lots or in the city streets the will will pull straight (Kinda like a FWD car will) much quicker than normal and on the interstate it works wonders to stay straight on the road.
I was just curious - All you ever read abvout about is Roadmaster and Saftey Plus so I was not sure if yours was the same (They are pricey .... like $489.00 but worth it IMO).
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2017 Axis / 25.4: Big Foot Levelers, Aims 1200 Watt inverter, Ceramic Window Tint, Full River AGM 6V batteries, Front Hellwig Sway bar / Rear Track Arm, Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer, PD 4655 converter, Hard Wired Surge Guard, WEboost + WiFi Ranger, LED Headlights/Driving lights, TPMS, Surge tank, Tornado flush, Viair Compressor
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11-26-2018, 01:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chatea 31E
State: Maryland
Posts: 453
THOR #5837
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On my class C I installed the Hellwig swaybars and a Saf-T-Plus steering controller, plus got a good alignment done. These mods really improved stability and steering feel. No more wandering around my lane and no more white knuckle experiences when semis pass. Bilstein HD shocks are on my list to do this spring.
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12-01-2018, 09:36 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.2
State: British Columbia
Posts: 22
THOR #11108
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Bilstein shocks
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewAxisOwner
The stock shocks/sway bars are garbage. The front sway bar weighed zilch, the rear not much more. I was an ASE Certified mechanic and swear by Bilstein. My wife's Durango has them and they also made a world of difference. Same with a 4x4 Sportsmobile I built a few years ago... Put it this way, 2 out of the 4 stock shocks were already shot @ 2k miles. That tells me all 4 would have been done in short order. Hellwigs MAY help the shocks survive by reducing quick ups & downs etc... But, I'd go the full monty...
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I would agree completely with the quality of the Bilstein's. I had a small Class C that I had installed Bilsteins front and back (HDs). Since I bought the Vegas before I sold the class C, I had both of them for several weeks and could drive them back to back. The 15 year old Bilsteins (with a lot of rough road and gravel road travel on them) were clearly superior to the brand new stock shocks on the Vegas.
The HD Bilsteins don't improve the ride any but certainly the handling is better. Floating over road dip and humps is vastly improved with Bilstein. With the old motorhome I have forgotten how much I paid for the Bilsteins but certainly was reminded of the quality and performance every time I drove the unit for the whole 15 years.
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12-02-2018, 06:38 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.2
State: Florida
Posts: 116
THOR #13661
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Long & Winding road
Newaxisowner - is your steering stabilizer just a "damping shock" (Like the the OEM but better)? Or is it "Self Centering"?
I installed the Saftyplus on mine - big difference. It has 500# of pressure pushing either way until centered. So now in like parking lots or in the city streets the will will pull straight (Kinda like a FWD car will) much quicker than normal and on the interstate it works wonders to stay straight on the road.
I was just curious - All you ever read abvout about is Roadmaster and Saftey Plus so I was not sure if yours was the same (They are pricey .... like $489.00 but worth it IMO).
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It's a very stiff stabilizer. I will let you know. I went the cheaper route first and will see how it does prior to getting a plus or roadmaster.. Havent driven it anywhere yet. It's been over a month of me waiting for new parts to come in. I'm not surprised though, as they promise the world before you sign.
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"The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears."
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12-03-2018, 10:14 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
Posts: 2,669
THOR #12231
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewAxisOwner
It's a very stiff stabilizer. I will let you know. I went the cheaper route first and will see how it does prior to getting a plus or roadmaster.. Havent driven it anywhere yet. It's been over a month of me waiting for new parts to come in. I'm not surprised though, as they promise the world before you sign.
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Yep, all of the mods will make your RV drive much nicer. I really like the way mine drives and handles now. I might upgrade the shocks next year but otherwise im very happy. Plus the wife is happy with the ride so makes a difference to us.
Not as much fun going RVing by myself. LOL.
__________________
2017 Axis / 25.4: Big Foot Levelers, Aims 1200 Watt inverter, Ceramic Window Tint, Full River AGM 6V batteries, Front Hellwig Sway bar / Rear Track Arm, Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer, PD 4655 converter, Hard Wired Surge Guard, WEboost + WiFi Ranger, LED Headlights/Driving lights, TPMS, Surge tank, Tornado flush, Viair Compressor
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12-15-2018, 10:11 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: British Columbia
Posts: 21
THOR #13285
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We just bought a used 2015 Axis 24.1 and my first mod will be new shocks and after that thicker sway bars and steering stabilizer.
Can someone tell me where they purchased their Bilstein shocks, Hellwig sway bars, and steering stabilizer (any brand)?
I've ordered shocks and sway bars for cars and pickups, but never for an RV.
Thanks
Ron
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12-15-2018, 11:40 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: axis 25.1
State: Indiana
Posts: 18
THOR #5637
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sd springs
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12-15-2018, 11:59 AM
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#15
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deacon Blues
We just bought a used 2015 Axis 24.1 and my first mod will be new shocks and after that thicker sway bars and steering stabilizer.
Can someone tell me where they purchased their Bilstein shocks, Hellwig sway bars, and steering stabilizer (any brand)?
I've ordered shocks and sway bars for cars and pickups, but never for an RV.
Thanks
Ron
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Congratulations and welcome.
Just plug your VIN into a vin decoder so you can figure out if you have an E-350 or E-450 chassis. Then just get the parts for the appropriate chassis (its just a big van).
If you haven't already; download and read Ed's excellent crowd sourced Axis/Vegas owner's manual found here:
http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f10...nual-4961.html
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12-16-2018, 01:32 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2016 Thor Outlaw 29H
State: Tennessee
Posts: 668
THOR #13869
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Would these modifications hold true on a class C ?
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12-19-2018, 03:08 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chatea 31E
State: Maryland
Posts: 453
THOR #5837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 10scDust
Would these modifications hold true on a class C ?
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Yep. On my class C (E450 chassis) I installed larger swaybars (Hellwig) and a steering controller, and I got a good alignment done. It drives a lot better now. It used to wander around the lane a lot, and it would really get pushed around when semi trucks passed, and now it is much more stable and relaxing to drive.
I haven't replaced the shocks yet, but I plan to install Bilstein HD shocks this spring.
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12-19-2018, 04:14 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: British Columbia
Posts: 21
THOR #13285
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I've watched a couple of videos showing a front/rear sway bar and steering stabilizer install and it looks to be fairy easy, but installing the shocks looks to be more of a challenge.
Has anyone installed their own shocks?
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12-19-2018, 06:02 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.2
State: Florida
Posts: 116
THOR #13661
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deacon Blues
I've watched a couple of videos showing a front/rear sway bar and steering stabilizer install and it looks to be fairy easy, but installing the shocks looks to be more of a challenge.
Has anyone installed their own shocks?
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The shocks are a PITA if you dont have a stubby, closed-end swivel wrench (see pic) for the top nut. If you do, it's easy. Took me 20 mins per wheel (but I also have air impact gun for the lower bolts).
The Hellwigs took about 20 mins each as well.
__________________
"The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears."
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12-19-2018, 06:08 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 25.2 axis
State: South Carolina
Posts: 217
THOR #3992
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I do like the ideal of upgrading the shocks and steering stabilizers sometimes coming down the Rockies it can be a white-knuckle ride at times I'm alright but the wife she's gets nervous I'm sure it would help it does feel top-heavy
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