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Topic: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK (Read 429 times) previous topic - next topic
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Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
I am looking for suggestions for replacing the shocks and springs, Should I upgrade the springs or just replace with oem? I just drove cross country and when I hit a pothole it sounds like the front end is exploding (BANG!) As a note, prev owner put on 6 Firestone Transforce 10 ply tires. Also the front springs have a rubber "thing" on them, I guess to keep from bottoming out? I just gotta some how smooth out the ride for the trek back. All ideas are sure welcome.
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #1 –
Those aren't great tires for your ride, but I highly recommend putting Bilstein shocks on front and back. The airbags may be bad or overinflated - they are not original. Also recommend a sway bar for the back and polyurethane bushings all around. Worn suspension and steering parts are a problem with that chassis - particularly the pitman and idler arms.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #2 –
thanks steve - idler arm is new along with both upper control arms- my rear is fine cause I put Bilsteins back there -  my front end is my problem - biggest question is with the springs and what should I upgrade them to? Or should I just go with OEM?- Also, steering box is brand new. I will take your advice and add Bilsteins to the front - Any ideas as to the model number for the front Bilsteins that are best for the Chevy chassis?
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #3 –
The Bilstein website should list the appropriate shock for your application.

BILSTEIN | Products and services
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #4 –
Quote from: navkcir  - 
- biggest question is with the springs and what should I upgrade them to? Or should I just go with OEM?-

Larry Wade had a shop wind custom springs for his, and it helped. I did too, but mine ended with the same ride height as before, so a waste. The front end has very little vertical travel, so you hit the bump stops often. The Bilsteins will make the transition more gracefully than stock shocks, and the sway bars and poly bushings really stabilize the ride ...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #5 –
The front suspension is a weak spot in the 1989 G-30s.
At 60,000 miles, our 1983 LD's front suspension needed rebuilding, with loose a-arm bushings, bad bumper stops, worn idler arm, a bad ball joint and sunken coil springs.
I tried air bags, which failed within a year and then switch to the heaviest available coil springs, which only were equal to what was there.
Finally gave up and had a custom set of coils spring made that finally raised the front end up to where I wanted it and had a high enough spring rate to keep it from bottoming out frequently.

The front shocks need to be the strongest you can find, either Bilstein or the upper end Koni's.
Follow Steve's suggestion to replace the front sway bar bushing with polyurethane bushings and to add a rear sway bar, these rigs have lots of side to side sway.
Hellwig 7178: Rear Sway Bar for 1983-1996 Chevy/GMC G-30 Class C Motorhome |...
The two front rubber bumps stops (they limit the wheel's up-travel) must be in good condition, since they get impacted constantly.

Air bags were added to the rear leaf springs, in an attempt to raise to raise the rear and to reduce the swaying.
It helped the sway issue some but it was the addition of the rear sway bar that eliminated most of the problem.

Other 1989 G-30 issues.
The cooling system is marginal.  Needed is the biggest radiator possible, along with at the largest transmission cooler that fits.
I added a radiator water sprayer to increase summertime cooling.
Service the coolant regularly, it gets dirty much faster than today vehicles.

The distributor's centrifugal advance mechanism often seizes and needs to be taken apart for cleaning and lubing.
With the distributor cap off, the rotor should be free to move through its range.

The Quadrajet carburetor is know to develop leaks that drain the float bowl, when sitting for a day or two.
Repair kits are available that sometimes works, other times not.
The carburetor can be equipped with either a plastic foam or brass float.
The plastic foam floats tend to absorb gasoline and slowly sink, leading to running overly rich, wasting gas and possibly damaging the engine.
The Quadrajet can be replaced with an aftermarket Edlebrock carburetor, which eliminates the Q-Jets faults and can be tuned, using Edlebrock's tuning kit..
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/misc/tech-center/install/1000/14065.pdf
Our 1983 LD had one and easily pass the smog inspections and ran cleaner than the stock carburetor.

If the engine has multiple fan belts, carry a complete set, they break much to often and when one belt breaks, it usually takes the rest of the belts with it.
If it has a serpentine belt, it is more dependable, still, carry a spare.
The fan clutches are weak spot on this engine, we went through 3, in 60,000 miles. I suggest carrying a spare.

The engines are subject to vapor locking in hot conditions.
The only fix really effective I found was to add an electric fuel pump, mounted next to the fuel tank.
The electric pump pressurized the fuel line, raising the fuel's boiling point and significantly reduced or eliminated the problem.
An electric pump is also useful as a backup, in case the mechanical pump fails.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #6 –
To add my thoughts to the fuel pump issue,
my 86 K3500 Suburban had a return fuel line fron the fuel pump or filter.  the max speed was 55.  i solved it by pinching off the return fuel line to make 70 MPH.  that might be related tothe quadrajet .
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #7 –
WOW - thanks everybody!
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #8 –
Put Bilstien shocks and new hd springs on the front and WOW WHATA RIDE! 
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #9 –
Quote from: navkcir  - 
Put Bilstien shocks and new hd springs on the front and WOW WHATA RIDE!
Make sure the rubber bumpers are in good condition.
Even with better springs, the bumpers see a lot of action.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #10 –
We put new OEM front springs in our '93 G30 22' almost 5 years ago. Since our shop manual lists coil airbags as standard for the 7.4L (454ci) engine for that year/make/model, we put those in as well. (We went with standard OEM HD Monroe shocks all around.)

But what really changed the game was putting in rear air springs - instead of replacing the old leaf springs - right afterward. After a little experimentation, I finally got the air pressure levels dialed all around in to provide the firmest, yet not bumpy/bouncy ride.

Nowadays, I can drive the RV almost like a car. I keep it super light anyway, so with almost 2k CCC reserve, it drives fast and handles very well.

I have to admit the RV is in great shape. There's really no reason to get anything newer. Besides, we really don't go RVing enough to warrant that kind of outlay. However, the finish is starting to bother me. It's at the awkward stage where it's beginning to look old(er), but not quite beat. If I spring for a new paint job, then it will become officially 'vintage'.
 
Re: Front springs and shocks for 89 Chevy 22ft TK
Reply #11 –
Get it painted and go to Cars and Coffee events.  Better yet ... vintage races. Not to race (yes I saw that Top Gear video) must to make the others overheating in their vintage cars jealous.  ;-)
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath