Has anyone changed the shock absorbers on their Silver Streak? What brand did you replace them with? Any particular difficulties? Thanks!

By David Lyall on Saturday, September 01, 2001 - 09:31 pm:

My streak does not have shock absorbers. Is yours a single axle? All the dual axle units I have looked under are without shocks. Someone told me once that the linkage renders shock absorbers unnecessary.

By AZSilverstreaker on Sunday, September 16, 2001 - 03:52 pm:

Mine has factory installed shock absorbers, and is a 34 footer. I tried to get Camping World to replace them, but they said they don't do shocks. Eventually I will pull one and see if an auto parts place can match it for me.

Arizona Silver Streaker

By Gayle Damstrom on Monday, September 17, 2001 - 05:08 pm:

David,
The 28, 30, and 32 foot Continental Supremes have four shock absorbers as a standard feature. Shorter Silver Streaks had them as an option.

AZSilverSTreaker
I think I am going to have to do the same thing. They are shorter than the usual auto shock. I should be doing this work within the next month or two. I'll post whatever results I get on the board.

By Al G. on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 04:00 pm:

"All the dual axle units I have looked under are without shocks. Someone told me once that the linkage renders shock absorbers unnecessary."

Shock absorbers (more accurately "spring" or "suspension dampers") have two primary functions:
1. To suppress bouncing of the tires on road irregularities, and
2. To reduce side-to-side sway or rolling of the coach on its axles

Multi-leaf springs scrub the leaves against one another as they flex. This scrubbing dampens bouncing of the tires/axles on road irregularities, and rolling of the coach.

"Airplane" telescoping shocks must be matched for the collapsed length. If the collapsed length is too short, the shock mounting studs may be bent or broken off the axle or coach frame. The extended length is not critical as most will be sufficient to reach from the mounting points without running out of travel. Jack the coach frame until the wheels are hanging free. Measure the distance between the shock mounting points, pulling each axle down to rock the equalizer rocker between the axles to get the maximum distance. With leaf springs the shocks are not used to limit suspension travel.

Different Camping World stores have different policies according to the manager of each store. I don't know why this particular store won't replace shocks. It's a simple job in a shop.
Now that CW has joined with Freedom Roads RV dealerships this policy likely will be changed.