Airstream Shock Failure Indicators and Replacement Steps

RV / Airstream Repairs

If you’re noticing excessive movement of items in your trailer or cabinet doors opening after travel, worn shocks may be the cause. This guide explains how we identified rear shock failure on our 23GT22FBT and provides a step-by-step process for inspecting and replacing the shocks.

Introduction

During a pre-travel inspection ahead of a Washington-to-Maryland trip, we found that both rear shocks on our 23GT22FBT had prematurely failed. The local Airstream dealership confirmed that Airstream provides no wear, replacement, or failure-interval guidance for its Gabriel-manufactured proprietary shocks, and noted that a failure at roughly three years is earlier than they typically encounter.

Indicators of Shock Failure

Visual & Mechanical Indicators:

• Oil-dirt accumulation, forming a uniform coating on the piston.

• Rubber bushing deformation and deterioration, particularly on the piston-side mount.

• Minimal to no damping resistance when the shock was compressed by hand after removal.

  
  

In our case, both rear shocks exhibited identical symptoms.

Tools and Equipment Used

• 4-ton bottle jack

• ¾-inch combination wrench and a ¾-inch socket wrench with ratchet

• Lug wrench or breaker bar

• 36-inch, 1-inch steel pipe (used as a cheater bar)

• Torque wrench (100–110 ft-lbs)

Safety and Setup Notes

• Perform the work on a flat, hard, and relatively level surface.

• Airstream WARNING: Never attempt to change any tire on the trailer without securely chocking the trailer’s remaining wheels.

• Hitch trailer to the tow vehicle.

Shock Replacement Procedure

Step 1 – Loosen and Remove the Wheel

Break the lug nuts loose before the target tire is off the ground. Our lug nuts had not been removed since factory installation and a standard 18-inch breaker bar was not sufficient. A 36-inch steel pipe provided the required leverage.

Airstream WARNING: When removing aluminum-forged wheels from spindle, it is very important to mark them to ensure the wheel is placed in the same position of the drum when reinstalling.

Tip: Painters tape works well for marking the wheel and lug spindle alignment.

Step 2 – Lift Trailer

Raise the trailer until the tire you’re removing spins freely. For tandem-axle trailers, pull the tire not being removed onto a set of leveling blocks or sturdy wood cribbing. For single-axle trailers, the best approach is to use a hydraulic bottle jack or floor jack positioned at the Airstream-designated jack point—a reinforced plate riveted to the mainframe.

Safety Tip: For additional security on single-axle trailers, place jack stands along the frame rail on either side of the tire—NEVER under the Dexter Torsion Axle.

Step 3 – Remove the Failed Shock

With a ¾-inch wrench and socket:

1. Remove the wheel to gain clear access to the shock.

2. Remove the lower and upper shock bolts.

3. Slide the shock off the mounting posts.

Step 4 – Install the Replacement Shock

1. Position the new shock on the mounts.

2. Reinstall the bolts and nuts.

The dealership indicated there is no manufacturer-specified torque for these bolts. Our technique—tighten until the inserted rubber bushing starts to compress.

Step 5 – Reinstall the Wheel

Reinstall wheel in the same drum position before removal and torque lugnuts according to Airstream's recommended sequence.

Torque specifications:

• Aluminum wheels: 110 ft-lbs

• Steel wheels: 100 ft-lbs

Summary

The replacement process is straightforward and can be completed with common tools. Regular inspection of shock absorbers is recommended, especially if the trailer exhibits:

• increased interior movement of objects or storage/cabinet doors opening,

• uneven ride characteristics, or

• visible fluid leakage.

  
  

Both shocks on our 23GT22FBT failed simultaneously at roughly three years of service, underscoring the value of periodic visual inspections even when towing performance appears normal.

We’d love to hear your feedback—let us know if there’s anything we should add or clarify to make this summary more useful.