Bumper cables/wires - What are these for?

[solracem]

Pardon my ignorance if this is a silly question but, I'm not sure what these black cables are for...  i??

I have two, one on each side of the front bumper but, both are cut and wrapped around the bumper this way so I'm not sure where they go or what they do/did. Anybody know??

[LJ-TJ]

By the looks of it you have air bags. Check your springs. Chances are those lines go to air bags to improve your handling and air ride. Hm? That would be my guess by the pictures.

[M & J]

Appears to be what TJ said. Air fittings to inflate your front coil spring air bags. Not wires.


If they have been cut, then they used to be used to inflate the front coil spring air bags.

[legomybago]

Front air bags like they said. There is a lot of threads on this forum for different methods/or ways of changing them.....Not a fun job, but they make a huge difference in ride handling. Well worth the money and effort in MO. Run 70-75 psi after you have a new set installed or adjust pressures if needed. I like the air hosed ran/mounted from under your front hood. More of a cleaner look.

[solracem]

Ah, ok gotcha.. The lines are cut, and don't go anywhere. However, the previous owner installed hydraulic leveling jacks. Would those lines have replaced these?

[LJ-TJ]

Possible any chance you can get us some pictures up underneath.  Hm?

[bluebird]

Ah, ok gotcha.. The lines are cut, and don't go anywhere. However, the previous owner installed hydraulic leveling jacks. Would those lines have replaced these?

Shouldn't have. You should still have air bags inside the front springs. Search for air bag replacement. Every GM coach I've owned has had them, including my Daybreak and they need replaced. I bought the ones from air lift and will install them when it warms up a bit, not really looking forward to that.

[solracem]

Possible any chance you can get us some pictures up underneath.  Hm?

No pictures just yet but, I'll get some. I know the previous owner also mentioned he had the front end rebuilt. What should I look for when taking the pics?

[BrianB]

... What should I look for when taking the pics?

A rubber bag inside the coil spring for the front suspension.

[legomybago]

Should look like this. The air hoses mount to the bottom of the bag.

[M & J]

In your other thread about the fuel tank, in one of the pictures you just posted I see bags installed on the rear axle it looks like.

[solracem]

In your other thread about the fuel tank, in one of the pictures you just posted I see bags installed on the rear axle it looks like.

Great detective work, and much appreciated! I most definitely do have air bags in coils like that. So, I assume I should replace those hoses and look for the connections under the bag? When would I adjust those??

[MotorPro]

Those bags are famous for rotting out. 90% chance they will need replacing. If so be ready for lots of frustration before you get them in!

[solracem]

Those bags are famous for rotting out. 90% chance they will need replacing. If so be ready for lots of frustration before you get them in!

I wonder if that's what the previous owner meant when he said he had the front end rebuilt?

[legomybago]

Only one way to tell.....hook the air lines back up, and try putting air in them.

[M & J]

Usually a rebuild means ball joints,  tie rod ends, idler arms, bushings... if they replaced the springs as part of it then the bags may be gone. Also, you'll probably have to crawl under her again and see where the air lines go. The rear bags are probably plumbed separately.

[bluebird]

Put mine on today and put the lines under the hood so I don't have to bend down to air them up. Put them where I can get a air gauge on them easy.

[kansascat]

I found it way quicker and easier to just pop the lower ball joint loose from the spindle, drop out the coil and put the air bag in and reassemble. Takes about 30 mins per side that way. Make sure you support the lower a arm when taking it loose as the spring will have it under pressure even when the tire is offthe ground.

[solracem]

Possible any chance you can get us some pictures up underneath.  Hm?

Here's a couple pics.

[solracem]

Only one way to tell.....hook the air lines back up, and try putting air in them.

The lines are wrapped around the bumper and don't go anywhere...

[legomybago]

There's no air bags in your front coils.....I would take a knife or a hammer, and cut/beat the old air lines off, then install a set of air bags. The kits come with new plastic air lines (re-route new lines for a cleaner install) Or, if it drives beautiful the way it is, and your happy, do nothing?  i??

[solracem]

Got a link to the kit your referencing?

[SLEETH]

try www.airlift.com

[legomybago]

You need a complete kit like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coil-Rite-Air-Suspension-GM-P-30-Stepvan-Chasis-1963-03-Front-Suspension-Helper-/200908815488?hash=item2ec7193c80:m:mesx7LIIF4B06jmvXjSuZeA&vxp=mtr

You can order from just about any RV shop too, they may even have them in stock.

[bluebird]

Here is the ones I just installed on mine. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Lift-81560-Air-Lift-1000-Air-Spring-Kit-70-95-Chevy-GMC-G10-20-30-Vans-/400596841526?hash=item5d456eb436:g:liYAAOxy5jxSb9Wy&vxp=mtr