92 Itasca 34 rear suspension with Jetco

skloon · June 29, 2018, 06:23 PM

I took my RV in for new tires this week, drove it about 8 blocks and lost an airbag- the tire place sent it to a semi repair place and they came back and told me that 1- they won't try and fix it 2-the whole rear end seems to be offset and inch or so to the right with uneven shock gaps 3- that the bag blew out not because of what the tire place did- anybody have any experience with this sort of thing ? the auto levelers were not working as the rods from the axle back were busted- but the manual switches did work- now the thing is a low rider and I am having trouble finding anybody to even look at it

Rickf1985 · June 30, 2018, 04:42 PM

If it was the bag on the drivers side especially then the rear will be offset since the track rod will push it over as the rear goes down. Those bags get old and dry rotted just like tires and that one may have just had enough, the other is probably close behind. They are very easy top change once you get the right bags. They are a weird part number and they can be bought at either Stengal or Michigan spring. I forget where I got mine. They are not cheap, close to 120-150 each. Check the other one and see it's condition be be sure to put something under there before climbing under because if it goes you see how low it will go. I had a thread on here somewhere when I did mine and the part numbers should be there. I will see if I can find them.

Rickf1985 · June 30, 2018, 06:13 PM

I can't find my old post but I still have the old air bags so I can /might be able to get the numbers off of them if you need them.

I did find a thread that has the numbers, They are on the second page of the thread and take note of the difference in price from Jet to Firestone. I bought mine from either Michigan Spring or Stengal Bros. Either of those companies are stand up places to deal with.
Note that it is an older thread so prices are way off.

http://www.winnieowners.com/forums/f259/rear-air-bags-95-vectra-34-ford-135890-2.html

Rickf1985 · June 30, 2018, 06:53 PM

Quote from: Rickf1985 on June 30, 2018, 06:13 PM
I can't find my old post but I still have the old air bags so I can /might be able to get the numbers off of them if you need them.

I did find a thread that has the numbers, They are on the second page of the thread and take note of the difference in price from Jet to Firestone. I bought mine from either Michigan Spring or Stengal Bros. Either of those companies are stand up places to deal with. Long story short the P/N is W01-358-9259[/size]Note that it is an older thread so prices are way off.

http://www.winnieowners.com/forums/f259/rear-air-bags-95-vectra-34-ford-135890-2.html

Rickf1985 · June 30, 2018, 06:55 PM

Quote from: Rickf1985 on June 30, 2018, 06:13 PM
I can't find my old post but I still have the old air bags so I can /might be able to get the numbers off of them if you need them.

I did find a thread that has the numbers, They are on the second page of the thread and take note of the difference in price from Jet to Firestone. I bought mine from either Michigan Spring or Stengal Bros. Either of those companies are stand up places to deal with.
Note that it is an older thread so prices are way off.
Long story short the P/N is W01-358-9259
http://www.winnieowners.com/forums/f259/rear-air-bags-95-vectra-34-ford-135890-2.html

skloon · June 30, 2018, 07:11 PM

Actally lost the passenger one went from 8r tires to 225 70 19.5 the tire place said not their issue the semi repair place are a bunch of nasty buggers but found an old spring and brare place that will look at it, thanks for the part #s that will help

Rickf1985 · July 01, 2018, 10:10 AM

Lost the entire freakin' post that I was typing up with pics!!!!!! DAM IT!!!!!!!!!!

Short version

Here is a passenger side with an 8r tire blown up to almost full pressure. Note the VERY close clearance with the tire. The wider tire may be hitting the bag as the suspension cycles and the rear moves side to side from the track rod.

Here are a couple pics of my old ones before removal. Note the difference in clearance from side to side with bags blown of. It is pretty close to center when sitting even

Rickf1985 · July 01, 2018, 10:41 AM

Look at my pictures when I was PMing you the pics of the leveler arms I noticed that the track rod was on top of the axle which means that if the right bag blew then the rear would be jammed over to the right. That would explain the shops misdiagnosis of a problem.

skloon · July 04, 2018, 11:10 AM

I think both sides are blown I saw the passenger and there is a definate rub mark where the tire hit it - the truck repair shop says nothing hit it I pointed out the rub marks and they said they were from the old tires- the new ones are about a half inch wider- will be taking it to another shop tomorrow to have them look at it- I fear this is going to get messy between me and the tire shop- and it was a reputable part of a chain too

Rickf1985 · July 04, 2018, 06:33 PM

I have the exact same setup so if they need pics I will crawl under there with it in regular road position and take pics to show just how close the tires are. And as the suspension moves up and down the rear does go side to side so wider tires will contact the bags. You can get away with the wider tires on a regular coach with normal springs but not on these.