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alfalsetto · 10-18-2011, 10:04 PM

I have been all over the forums looking for I parts book for My 1982 31ft. Classic Airstream rear suspension. I seen it one in a forum, but I can't find it again. I hope that soom one out there may help. I have been all over Andys store and I din't find a thing, maybe he can help me. I have been under my Airstream and it don't look good it has to have help bad. The rear suspension is springs with airbags

Smartstream · 10-18-2011, 11:34 PM

It is made by American Carrier Equipment in Fresno, Calif. They have the bushings and cross link and the bags and valve are common truck parts. I tried to copy a drawing here but the conn. in this park is terrible. You can google them for more info.

Good luck, Dan

alfalsetto · 10-19-2011, 10:38 AM

Thanks, I'll go on-line to them now!

Mike Leary · 10-19-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfalsetto

I have been all over the forums looking for I parts book for My 1982 31ft. Classic Airstream rear suspension. I seen it one in a forum, but I can't find it again. I hope that soom one out there may help. I have been all over Andys store and I din't find a thing, maybe he can help me. I have been under my Airstream and it don't look good it has to have help bad. The rear suspension is springs with airbags

What's the problem(s) ? Pics would help. I know waay more about that suspension than I should.

dadstoy · 10-19-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

What's the problem(s) ? Pics would help. I know waay more about that suspension than I should.

Mike, I'll remember that...I'm going to crawl under mine today!

idroba · 10-19-2011, 12:58 PM

A lthough it has been a while since I had my '83, 310, I did have to learn about the air bag suspension the hard way. No one when I got it in '93 knew much about it at all, so I had to learn it by myself. In fact, I think one of the reasons I got it for a good price was that no one could figure out the air system, and they unloaded it.

Once I understood it, and got it going right, it was a great system, airtight and reliable. So, like Mike Leary, who posted above, I may also be able to help you some (from memory). Without going into details, the real problem on mine turned out to be a hidden check valve which had stuck closed.

Mike Leary · 10-19-2011, 02:55 PM

So many possibilities of failure, does the compressor even come on?

alfalsetto · 10-19-2011, 03:26 PM

My compressor didn't come on one time,"fuse". Boy was that a hard ride!! All you good people out there have you got a name for the suspension under my 82? Or maybe a part list? Or maybe some photos

Mike Leary · 10-19-2011, 04:01 PM

I screwed around with that mess for years to no avail, replaced the compressor, bags, still a piece of junk. Some systems work, mine never did worth a damn. Depending on where you are, a spring shop that deals with ambulances is where I'd go. Even so, the 60-40 switch could be bad and not sending information to the leveling valves, in which case, the spring shop will need a schematic for the wiring to convert the old-time switch to a newer version. I don't have the schematic, but I believe it can be gotten from AS or maybe a forum member has one. Try to pump-up the accumulator tank with aux air to see if it puts the bags to proper level (8" to 10"). You could have a leak somewhere. I don't envy anyone having this problem. After blowing a couple of grand having rookies think they'd fixed the "problems", I finally had the whole system ripped out and replaced. At the same time you do the rear, have them check the (crappy) coil springs in the front, they have a stronger spring for the P-30 now, that does not need the air bags. Have it aligned, replace the shocks, and you should be good to go.http://haldex.com

Smartstream · 10-20-2011, 09:11 AM

Come on Mike You are just frustrated because they took your money and didn't fix it.

Here is a pic of the system.

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The bushings on the cross link that aligns the lower cross member can wear. I think they sell the set for about $70. The bags can be bought from Truck Spring for about $90 and the valve is about $75. My figures may be a little off because I'm old but they should be in the ballpark.

A original compressor was marginal but a new bullet proof one can be had from Viair for about $300. Start with fresh wiring from the batteries through a relay and you have a great system.

I can find you part numbers if I get some time but I think they are all posted here if you look hard enough. If you can't find them yell.

Good luck, it's really a pretty simple system and is used on trucks everywhere.

Cheers, Dan

Mike Leary · 10-20-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Come on Mike You are just frustrated because they took your money and didn't fix it.

My own damn fault; if I'd known about the forum then, things would have worked much smoother (and cheaper!).

alfalsetto · 10-20-2011, 09:37 AM

Dan,
Thanks for the photo of the susp. That the thing I been looking for, Thanks again, Lit'l Al (alfalsetto)

alfalsetto · 10-20-2011, 07:33 PM

Your photo was to hazy/blurry to see, But I got a good Photo of the susp. from American Carrier Eq. today. But I can get it on the Thread.. "Can you tell Me how to do it" Its a good copy of the susp. & air syst. & Plumbing

jhenry · 10-20-2011, 09:09 PM

Hi to all! Just purchased a 1986 345 to add to the fleet! The rig has a few interesting problems one is the rear suspension works but on an on off switch that the po installed and it seems to me that there must be a shut off type switch or relay not working or needing replacement, Any suggestions Thanks Jonathan