Front suspension

[timcutter]

I have a 1977 Argosy 28' Motorcoach that needs new new shocks, coil springs, and air bags for the front suspension. I am having a difficult time trying to find the airbag replacements. Are these available anywhere? If not, can I go with a heavier duty coil and shocks to make up for it? A little worried about how it will level with the back suspension. Thanks.

Tim Cutter

[Andrew T]

Hi Tim

The air bags are made by AirLiftCompany.com

Part Number: 81560 SKU:729199815607

Monroe Gas Magnum Shock Absorbers work really well on this as well.

[mayco]

I think i got my front airbags from mich. truck spring. I believe they have two brands available.....firestone and airlift. Not much different in price, i bought the airlift brand.

[woodja]

I ordered a replacement set of front airbags for our 310 today.
$87, no tax, no shipping.

Sdtrucksprings.com

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by timcutter

I have a 1977 Argosy 28' Motorcoach that needs new new shocks, coil springs, and air bags for the front suspension. I am having a difficult time trying to find the airbag replacements. Are these available anywhere? If not, can I go with a heavier duty coil and shocks to make up for it? A little worried about how it will level with the back suspension. Thanks.

Tim Cutter

Hi Tim, like the other guys said you can use either Airlift or Firestone and I use Sdtruckspring. The one thing you want to keep in mind is you coach is built on a P-30 Chevy chassis. No parts guy can find your Argosy in a parts book but the P-30 is easy to find. I also bought Bilstein shocks from Shockwarehouse

[mayco]

Did you get your air bags installed?

[timcutter]

Not yet. Thanks for asking. Had to put new tires on first. A nice $1500 hickey. Old tires appeared fine with plenty of groove left, but were not holding air due their age.

[woodja]

I did get my one bad air bag replaced. It turned out to be a much bigger job that I thought.
The installation instructions fail to mention that the old airbag is hard as a rock & unlikely to just slide right out of there. But a sawzall turned it into a 2" ribbon & it did come out.
Most importantly is the prep of the new bag----removal of as much air as possible & rolling it up into a very long,thin tube which I secured with wire ties. My work bench wood vise was a big help too. The left front will only get replaced when it fails & this one will undoubtedly be easier. Pete

[woodja]

timcutter

It may be too late for you since you've already bought your tires but I also had the continual loss of air. My tires are 6-7 years old, great tread & no drying out cracks on sidewalls. I know I have to replace them & will this fall.
But I solved my air loss problems by replacing the valve stems AND the valve extenders. Apparently the small o rings in the extenders had dried out & were failing to hold air.
My life is much better now--------------------Pete

[timcutter]

Thanks again. I had Firestine go through each tire. There wasn't a tight seal against the wheel due to age(10 years old). Probably more due to previous owner letting them sit flat for long periods. They won't touch tires that old due to liability. If they were not so old, they would have added a sealer. Better safe than sorry.