Front Air bags/springs

[mprokop87]

I finally tore the old airbags from my from coils and need to replace them. What have you guys used as a replacements?

[mayco]

Looks like they are on sale right now


http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/suspen...ss-a-motorhome

[mprokop87]

I found a kit on sdtrucksprings meant for the p30 chassis that were made by firestone. Ordered those. Someone at my work bought the same ones for his P30 (Winnebago I think) and said they installed easily.

[mprokop87]

Thanks Mayco! Those are the ones I bought for the front, I dont have rears. Wouldnt mind installing some at some point.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by mprokop87

...Someone at my work bought the same ones for his P30 (Winnebago I think) and said they installed easily.

Whoever your friend is at work is more than welcome to come and install mine!

I found installing them to be one of the more frustrating tasks to undertake on these rigs.

[Boom Sounds]

Bit of a bugger to fit. Lots of washing up liquid, soften bag first. I think I tied mine with cable ties so it didn't keep unravelling. Make sure the rubber discs are properly in position. Once you have delivered a steady stream of expletives, shredded the skin from your knuckles and spent several hours underneath her - you'll be ready for a beer!


http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/firest...-p30-1963-1999

[Gregsch]

I'm with Brad on that one. Aggravating. I found that cutting the last 8" off a broom handle made a nice tool for forcing the bladder into the hole in the bottom of the A arm. Squeeze all the air out of it before you roll it up and start trying to get it in the hole. Use plenty of lubricant.

[shepherd57]

I dropped the lower control arms on mine and just slid the bags in much easier than fighting them.

[mprokop87]

I don't know what you guys were talking about . It took about 90 minutes to install the whole thing, including mounting remote fill points.
I vacuumed the air from the bags

Tied them up


And slid them in


The disks were a little tricky but overall it was an easy job.

[bkahler]

Show off.....

What did you use for a vacuum pump?

[mprokop87]

Old faithful

[bkahler]

Is that an AC system vacuum pump?

Since my suspension is totally apart right now I plan on stuffing the airbags inside the springs before putting the spring between the control arms.

That's the John Warden method

[mprokop87]

It does work for AC systems and I've used it to fix many friend's vehicles. I use it for changing oil on my boat too

[mprokop87]

You better hurry on that suspension work, rally is just over a week away!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by mprokop87

It does work for AC systems and I've used it to fix many friend's vehicles. I use it for changing oil on my boat too

Great tip! I knew there would be more uses for the vacuum pump than just AC work

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by mprokop87

You better hurry on that suspension work, rally is just over a week away!

Ain't gonna happen this time

If there's a Get Together next year I "might" be able to drive an empty shell but that's about it.

[mayco]

But you are coming to the get together.....right?

Mike

[bkahler]

Definitely!

I've got a bunch of parts for various people that I will be bringing along.

[bpg_austin]

Nice work Mike. I've got those exact bags in mine. PO had them done. Frustratingly enough they leak. Not enough to be an issue during a day of driving, but enough to have to pull out the airline and pump them up prior to leaving the campround each trip. Just one extra hassle. I've vowed to replace them with weight matched springs alone next time. Just remove them entirely from the equation.
Great install time.

[Elisa]

Do these air bags really help - does it ride hard or better or what? Please let me know - we are debating doing the same thing.
Elisa