Replacing R & R air bags

[recycled55]

I got to removing and replacing my air bags yesterday and today.  Boy is that a ugly job. The old bags were probably the original equipment well formed to the coils.  It was a job for vicegrips and prybars. They came out in torn pieces. The new ones from firestone went in fine but wouldn't want to do it again.
recycled55

[ilonggo]

i'm in the same boat with you. how much did you pay for that new air bag, and where did you got it. thanks

[recycled55]

ilongo---- I got them from sdtrucks and cost 80 and some change.  They were extremely fast shipping and shipping is free.
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/
They were the firestone brand and seems to be very good quality. 
I would recommend them to anyone.  BUT I wouldn't volunteer to help anyone install them.
recycled55

[ilonggo]

I understand your predicament my friend. Actually, I took the left side already, but do you have any technique, in installing them. Probably it will give me some idea.. Again thank you so much.. ilonggo

[recycled55]

I took my MH for a ride today and those bags -really- made a big difference in handling. It didn't wallow around like it did before.
I used some spray soap inside the spring to lube it up. Helped a lot. I used a vacuum hand pump to deflate the bag as much as possible and twisted it long ways and worked it into place.  Not fun but do able.
recycled55

[dgapilot]

I haven't changed mine yet, but have to. I heard that soaking them in hot water helps make them a little more plyable. Anyone have a comparison between the Firestone and Air Lift 1000 bags. Pros and cons for either?

[tiinytina]

Been there did that on Gone... using search:

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php?topic=273.0

Know I wrote a whole diatribe about my ordeal with the  things... but can't find it...

Didn't have a non-bleeding or bruised patch of skin on either hand when done, and needed a severe attitude adjustment a la Jimmy Buffet after...

Consensus on some other forums is to replace springs with heavier so you don't need the airbags...  which I will do when current ones fail....

tina

[dgapilot]

I've heard that the heavy springs reduce ride quality. With mine, the front axle is a 5000 lb axle. I don't even know if they make springs that will stand up to that.

[tiinytina]

No clue for the chassis you have, ours is P30 and front axle weight is around 5K as well.... they also recommend a heavier duty sway bar.... 

Searched all my posts and can't find the one I made after install back in 2006

Air bags took me about 6 hours from start of removal to finish.... In hindsight I would soak the old bags in WD40 or PT blaster as the plastic was embedded around the coils) For the new ones I soaked them in hot water, rolled up to remove air longways (screw on plug tight) , then rolling them up sideways the tying them in several places, kneeling on them to keep compressed,and then using soap.  Be sure to remove any and all burrs from base of coil around hole that you insert through.... I think I used vice grips for grip and leverage to twist them in.... once your hands get soapy its hopeless...  seating the top and bottom rubber "pads" was a pain too and helpful to have an extra set of hands for this...

Tina

[dgapilot]

I've heard using a couple hose clamps to keep them rolled up helps. Feed them in and take the clamps off just before it enters the hole.

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Tina,
I believe 2006 was on the old MSN site so it may not be here.

Dave

[Froggy1936]

I used the hose clamps when i installed mine This was the 3rd idea and final solution They are very hard to install and no fun at all the soap helps a lot and use hose clamps that you ncan use a rachet and socket to adjust i used 3 clamps and removed ea one as they went thru hole in lower a frame Frank

[HandyDan]

I forced all the air out by putting them in a vise.  Then I used zipties to hold them closed.  After slipping them through the hole, I snipped the zipties.  It wasn't easy but it worked.  Made a big difference in the ride.  Now I need an alignment but I don't know where to get one done. 

[Froggy1936]

Large truck dealers do them and some shops that specillize in truck repairs  Mack, Kenworth  Etc.

[ilonggo]

I just got my air bag... wheww that was fast.. I ordered it yesterday, and I got it this afternoon... anyway I'm ready, and after reading your post...I think I can handle this... wish me luck..I'll keep you all updated...ilonggo.

[ilonggo]

finished installaing my air bag yesterday...no sweat...I did it the old fashioned way.. I paid somebody... heheheh.

[ilonggo]

got to road test it this weekend.. hoping it will do as what is advertised..

[ClydesdaleKevin]

I just did mine on Tuesday last week, and went with the Firestones.  It took about 5 hours total.  The hardest part was getting the old ones out.  The first one I cut out in peices and pulled out the chunks with vice grips and channel locks.  The second side I actually followed Firestone's directions....they said to use a hole saw, but I just used my utility knife, and they say to cut out the whole bottom at the valve assembly.  The work it out of the hole in one peice from the bottom with vice grips.  Once it got started, it did come out in one piece, although you better have a lot of arm and grip strength....oi vey!  It was a lot faster though.  Putting them in wasn't too bad, and would have been easier if my arms weren't so tired from getting the old ones out...lol!  Oh, and I used Mechanix gloves so I came through it without a scratch.  I left the airbags inside in front of our ceramic heater while I took the old ones out, so they were nice and soft when it was time to put them in.  My brake bleeder vacumm was useless, so I just twisted them up tight per the Firestone instructions and pluged the airline when I got them rolled up like one of those twisted donuts.  Dish soap around the hole, and up they went, fairly easily.  Again, the second side was much faster than the first.  There are 2 thick plastic disks that need to go above and below the airbag.  The instructions say to install them after the airbag is installed and you removed the plug and let them reinflate.  You have no choice for the bottom disk, but its REALLY hard to get the top disk above the airbag once its all the way in!  Its recessed up there really far.  Solution?  When the airbag is almost all the way in, THEN put in the top disk...make sure its aligned, and bingo.  Way faster.  A really neat upgrade Firestone made is that the new airbags have airlines going to them, and the filler valves are remotely located wherever you want to put them...I located mine in the cowl right under the front bumper.  It makes them way easier to check the pressures on and fill...you don't have to crawl undernieth anymore.  But, I made one more correction to the installation instructions.  Firestone recommended a 3 inch line coming out of the airbag, which attaches to an elbow, and then the airlines are routed to the front.  The routing is ingenious, with clips that bolt onto existing studs, BUT, 3 inches was way too long.  That makes the airlines hang down really low under the arms, which means they could catch on sticks and twigs at campgrounds, or retreads and debris on the highway.  I cut mine down to 1 inch, which keeps them high and tight and out of harms way.  Thanks everyone for posting your sagas and recommendations!  I wouldn't hesitate to do the job again...it wasn't that bad, and with the Mechanix gloves I didn't even get my usual knuckle buster cuts and scrapes and bruises.

Kev

[Alaskan Itasca]

I will be doing mine here in the next few weeks, I'm replacing the springs, shocks steering damper, and a few bushings as well. I'm hoping to end the death shake I have been getting from hitting potholes with the right front tire....my airbags should be here tomorrow, and the rest of it next week I hope.

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Welcome back Alaskan.  I take it you got snowed in!

Dave

[Alaskan Itasca]

It's been busy around here, now it's time to get out the RV, except the death wobble has gotten scary, so I gotta fix that before I go anywhere. My wife is out of town In Boise until the 22nd so I'm a single dad for another week and a half. I'm glad my parents are around right now to help out or I would go nuts....

My wife picked up a jack for me at harbor freight today, she is going to toss in her suitcase and bring it back lol. that will save me a few dollars not buying one here. I still have to get some heavy duty jack stands and some SAE tools to take all that stuff apart (I own euro and Japanese cars so I'm all metric). I got my airbags Friday, it was actually cheaper to go second day air vs. regular shipping on those for some reason.

the shocks damper and new springs should be here before the wife gets back I just need the jack she'll be toting to get it off the ground.....I'm going to have to tent camp for memorial day since the RV won't be fixed....
It was 70 degrees today and the leaves popped last week I really want to be camping....We are three weeks ahead of last year.

[bluebird]

New to me MH, guess what? Yep it needs new air bags. Every GM chassis coach I've owned needed new bags. Got to go through this again, but I'm going to wait till spring and warmer weather. Can't figure out people spend the money to buy these things then don't take care of them. Hydraulic pump motor was bad, replaced that and now the jacks are all froze up. Does a lot of creaking going up but they won't return if I don't have the weight of the coach on them. Been spraying the shafts with kroil, don't know if they will free up or not, may have to have them rebuilt.

[tiinytina]

May try applying mix of 50/50 tranny fluid and acetone.... (takes rusty bolts off rusty pick up trucks)...   As for PO care.. many don't know so don't do.  As for air bags... if mine go I'm going with new heavier springs which many have done vs the !$$^@#$% airbags. 

[Froggy1936]

Tina installing new air bags along with new coil springs is a breeze . Frank

[EldoradoBill]

Helpful hint for removing the old bag....slice it up like a salami between the coils with a handheld drywall saw or something comparable, the rings come out easily and with little aggravation.


Bill