TheSamba.com :: View topic - Shock absorber specs-Monroe Max Air anybody?

Sun Apr 12, 2009 1:40 pm

Are you tired of using those web site application finders that only return a certain product and part number for your van, and want to search for a possible different solution? Monroe publishes the specs on their shocks in a downloadable pdf, I extracted the specs for the shock, the gas magnum,
that they reccomend. The air shock they make looks good too, but doesn't come up as a Vanagon replacement part.

PART MOUNTING LENGTHS DUST PARTS
NO. Upper Lower Comp Ext Travel SHIELD PACK

F 34970 S4 S4 10.375 14.500 + 4.125 No P694
R 34971 LS27 LS27 13.375 21.000 + 7.625 Yes None

Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:03 pm

Gordy...

Do you think the Air Shock they make would, or could be used for the Vanagon? Maybe it (Vanagon) was just over looked as possible applications of the Air Shock?

Sun Apr 12, 2009 3:04 pm

I have to check the listing of the Air shock specs, you have to see if they make one with the same mounting fittings as the van unit

from the mounting and length sheet,

http://www.monroe.com/catalog/documents/08_MountingLengthSheet.pdf

LS27 12MM 1 9/16

the bolt sleeve is 12mm diameter and 1 and 9/16 wide. top and bottom.

Sun Apr 12, 2009 3:36 pm

maybe the Max-Air, MA758 will fit, the sleeve ID is the same and 1/8 wider,
both ends.

compressed length is a little longer at 14.124 and extended is 23.00

might work, any shock and yaw experts out there care to comment?

this would be cool, 150psi is pretty beefy.

Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:47 pm

Dumb question here...

But you could put those on the rear and not have any springs at all correct? Also, what about the front? Same thing as rear? (No need for springs)

And could you put those on the rear and use Airbags like Presslab has on his rear?

Mon Jun 23, 2014 6:16 am

240Gordy wrote: I have to check the listing of the Air shock specs, you have to see if they make one with the same mounting fittings as the van unit

from the mounting and length sheet,

http://www.monroe.com/catalog/documents/08_MountingLengthSheet.pdf

LS27 12MM 1 9/16

the bolt sleeve is 12mm diameter and 1 and 9/16 wide. top and bottom.

Could someone please download the PDF on my behalf? With european IP adress I get restrictions and is automatically linked to UK site......

Mon Jun 23, 2014 6:20 am

^^^^That link is '404 page not found' error. Sorry.

Mon Jun 23, 2014 6:35 am

I have a copy of that PDF somewhere on my CPU.. Pmail me an email address and I'll send it as an attachment.

Mon Jun 23, 2014 7:53 am

djbside wrote: Dumb question here...

But you could put those on the rear and not have any springs at all correct? Also, what about the front? Same thing as rear? (No need for springs)

And could you put those on the rear and use Airbags like Presslab has on his rear?

To the first question:
NO!!!
The springs support the bulk of the weight of the van. The shocks do not. That's why you shouldn't pump these shocks super high either. You'll destroy the shock mounts.

I don't know the answer to the airbag question tho.

Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:02 am

So in a spur of the moment decision on Amazon, I ordered the Gabriel Hijacker shocks 49215 for the rear to replace some Bilstein HD's after I read these posts:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=407359
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=560324

Ordered Here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AMA96W/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I like the idea that the air bag is seperate from the shock. I installed them this weekend and initially, I couldn't be more happy. I was able to easily overcome the westy lean of 3/4" and raised the rear to 17-3/4" ride height. I had just installed a new set of GW zero lift springs a few weeks earlier, so I am not depending on the shocks to compensate for that. I was surprised that after I installed the springs, the rear of the van sat 1/2" lower than the front. The air shocks easily compensated for that and kept the van within good tollerance for the CV joints. I also installed the kit that allows seperate inflation for each shock. I installed the air valve in the open hole above the rear tire. Overall it took about 2 hours and went in easily with just a jack and a pair of jack stands.

I've also been doing extensive research to find an air or coil over shock that fits the front. I have emailed and downloaded every manufacturer specs out there. So far I have not found anything that is close to the front dimensions. All the manufacturers have slightly different specs for front shocks so it's hard to tell what stock really is, but there's nothing in the way of an assist shock that has the correct mounting and the correct dimensions.

Tue Jun 24, 2014 7:03 am

Hey PDX!
Samba member Snoop, installed Monroe coil over Sensatracs on the front of his lifted 2WD. Search on the thread. He had to use a donut to get the upper mount to center properly.
Others have done same, since.
Its not adjustable, but may give some more height, firmness.

I was looking thru the Monroe sizing PDF a few yrs back and thought I found a MaxAir that had the correct upper mount for the front application.. and about the right travel for an 17-18" ride height.

The lower mount would have to be modified.
Perhaps press the bushing and sleeve out of an old Bilstein HD?.. or fab up a longer sleeve to match.. and use spacers to keep the shock mounted center.

After our last trip, I was thinking on this angle again.. It would be nice to be able to adjust for a full camping load. Front and rear. I don't need much up front.. maybe another 25psi would raise the front back to my spec (when fully loaded)

Wed Jun 25, 2014 1:14 am

Thx for the prompt follow up and I have used the PDF file I was sent for what It's worth.

About to order today.

Reckon to do some machining for a Eurovan fit, but it is a worthwhile experiment....

Had the pleasure of testing a sweeet T2a whith allrad and mTdi.

It used Max air shocks. It was like driving a sportscar, firm and responsive at the same time. Strange feeling in the know of that it is raised for off-road adventures...

Try Syncrosium 2 on YouTube ....

Tue Dec 29, 2015 10:50 am

Hi guys, does anyone here still has a copy of this PDF with the Monroe Airshock specs ?

Cheers !

Wed Dec 30, 2015 4:06 am

Got it ! Thanks Gordy !
If anyone has the same of the Gabriels, I'd like to compare...

Cheers !

Wed Dec 30, 2015 5:45 am

Found out which shocks to buy, thanks !

But I have no experience with these air shocks.

Can anyone tell me which accessories I need ?
I need a compressor, and what do I need to switch the airflow from the compressor between front and rear ?