RoadKing Shocks Review 2014-2015

Yes , the leaking issue "oh - you nicked the shaft installing them" got me too.

Why not charge replacement shocks to a credit card and overnight,then refund as soon as broken shocks arrive at the shop?

Who wants to replace 6 shocks twice?

Old quote I remember from grocery store days -

" it amuses me to see you spending millions of dollars trying to get me back to your store, when all you had to do was keep me happy in the first place"

 

I did the research and read all the threads, then bought Roadkings for the steer and both drive axles. Spent the day installing them. The drivers'side steer axle shock was a challenge, the upper mount was behind the primary fuel filter and you do have to manhandle them to install them. Lining up the holes was tough. The drives were easy, i just lifted the frame by unbolting the suspension air valve and lifting it way up, then lowering the suspension with the shocks sitting in the mounts. Then, they bolted in with no problems.
So, i don't have any unreal expectations for these shocks. I took a risk and it will take a long time to break even compared to other brands. I bought them to reduce downtime by not having to put the wagon in the shop once a year and to minimize vibration damage. Oklahoma's U.S. 69 is rough enough right now to break a lot of trucks and i end up driving it often.
So, i'll visit once in awhile and follow up with updates, good or bad. Thank you Drivers for your stories and info cause it helped to make the decision.

 

An update:
So, i bobtailed a couple of hundred miles to get to the terminal near Dallas and to chase an empty trailer. I hooked up to a new trailer with metal springs (NOT air ride) to pull a load. I hate those trailers, the metal springs ride really hard and the push-pull from it jerks the tractor around. So the trailer was loaded light, about 18,000 pounds and the route is a nightmare. Dallas, Shreveport-Bossier, Vicksburg, Jackson, Ms., then into rural Alabama.
First, let me say i have had lots of new shocks in years past. For a few weeks they feel smooth and ride really nice-then the ride begins to degrade. When this truck was brand new with no miles it felt tight, stiff and rode like a one ton pickup. At 90,000 miles the shocks weren't doing their job and needed replacing. They got replaced at 150,000 miles cause i spent months researching shocks.
So far i'm really impressed with RoadKing shocks. For the first time ever i made it across i-20 from Dallas to Jackson, Ms comfortably. Normally this trip knocks things off the shelves and the dashboard then it all has to be picked up off the floor at the end of the day. Now, the cab doesn't shudder and slam like it used to, the front springs don't hammer against the rubber stops all the time and it's easy to keep it steering straight.
Alright, all new shocks feel good at first but these feel different than any shocks i've used before. I'm being really cautious about saying this but the tires don't just hop and skip across the top of the bumps like they normally would. The tires follow the ups and downs better and stay in contact with the pavement. It feels like it's gliding over rough pavement when it used to skip and hop across it. I feel the bumps through the steering wheel but not the floor and driver's seat.
Seems like a good value for the money-so far. In a few weeks i will drop in and update again after the newness wears off. No b.s., and i will let everyone know the good and bad. I'm watching for shaft seals coming loose, oil leaks, crumbling rubber bushings and control problems, none of which are happening yet.

 

Ok, so where's the update @dave26027 .

How's the RK shocks doing this far? I've been reading about them and haven't made up my mind if they are worth getting. Usually I stay completely the hell away from any experimental aftermarket products.

The one add on after market product that actually did what was said was a Spinner bypass filter assembly. I actually liked it and i was impressed the amount of soot and garbage it filtered out. I'm hoping the RK shocks would be like that, but I'm still skeptical.

Can you please let us know how it's going

 

Hi Snowman- sorry to wait so long to get back to you, I don't visit TTR as often as I used to.
Shocks are doing well, only problem so far is some crumbled rubber bushings. Am waiting for a response from RK about the problem. The lower bushings on the lead drive axle are coming apart, seems like a minor problem. I just put a new set of drive tires on at 317,000 miles. The old drives still had enough tread on them to use as trailer tires for a few months. Steers are lasting about 180,000 miles a set.
I think a set of RK's would be a great upgrade for a W900. I'm well satisfied with this product, I would encourage you to consider buying a set.
Sounds like you're keeping your tractor for a long time, some other products I have tried with success are "Microlon" and the Fuel Preporator. Microlon is a nanoparticle engine treatment that i used on a Western Star with a DD 4 Detroit 500 hp. It needed a head gasket at 750,000 miles. Looking at the cam bearings, i could see where it coated the metal surfaces. The turbo showed more boost and got slightly better mileage after using it. It's a one time engine treatment, no need to ever treat it twice.
The Fuel Preporator is now called the "F.A.S.S.". It works, it does everything it claims to do.
Anyway, you should enjoy a new set of Roadkings. I think you'll be pleased with it.

 

Microlon has been around forever. Spinner a good idea, but oil treatments a different story than in 1977.

Can poly bushings be fitted to those shocks?

 

Yes, several companies offer custom bushings. Home for the Holidays right now but i will most likely find a tougher upgrade for the bushings soon. When they come in i'll post a review and all the info including pricing.