325 rear airbag replacement

[davejay]

Hey,
I just removed my rear airbags. Total time of job 1 hour.
Nothing to be afraid of ,....if you know the secert. 187 inches exactly, from the front wall between seats to the center of the bags.
I drilled 2 6 inch holes at 187 inches . Placing the hole saw as close to the bathroom wall and as close to the shower wall as I could get. Your right on top of the bags. I used a 3/8 drive ratchet with a 12 inch extension, with swivel joint for the outside 9/16 headed bolt. The 1/4. Inch air line T fitting took a little more work, but getting to it was easy.
The bottom bolts of the bags are double nutted.
I will update the compression fittings on the air lines to the slip fittings we use on big rigs and trailors. Super dependable, and the don t leak.
I ll update the air lines to 3/8 inch from tank to bags. I ll leave the 1/4 inch line to the leveling valves. .
The tank will come out, all fittings replaced, tank sandblasted and painted shines black, new air lines. New bolts for tank brackets in stainless cause it s shiny.
I can t speak for other models of classics and where the bags are located, but once you have the measurement, it s a piece of cake to do the job.
Remember to put 4x4 blocks between the rear of the springs and the frame before you let the air out of the bags. I can tell you, from experience, a car on your chest will kill you. It almost did me, in 1991. I got really good guardian angels. I lifted the car off of myself. Most people aren t so lucky.
Later. DJ

[bobmiller1]

Thanks for the measurement...will take a look at my 325LE later this morning, can you tell me where you got the bags and the part number ? Regards, Bob

[Boom Sounds]

Can anyone confirm whether the bags on a 250 classic would be the same as the 325? Alternatively, can anyone confirm the part number for the rear bags on a 250?


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[Smartstream]

I can't say for sure what air springs were used on each coach, these are what is used on the 280.

Air Bags, rear W01-358-5311 Bellows AAY1T14

This is an explanation of how to identify an air spring.

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/identi...ir-ride-spring

[davejay]

Hello,
The airbags on mine are from my local truck equipment shop.
142.00 per bag
WO358-5412 bag.
I highly recommend changing over to the push on type air fittings. Been around for years now. All big rig mfgers use them . The compression fittings were good in their day. They still use that fitting style for LP lines. So they re still viable.
Anyway. I decided to stay with the 1/4 inch lines . It s only for bags so you don t need big volume for such things as brakes or 4 to 8 bag set ups. Peterbuilts and kenworths came with 8 bags Supposed to give a better ride. I couldn't t tell a difference.
The cost for new push on type fittings was about 60.00 bucks. Got them from my local truck equipment parts store. Car places won t generally have this stuff. It s more heavy truck parts store stuff. Take your old fittings , they got a lot of fittings, trying to explain can be a pain. I used the plastic fittings. They have brass too, I think it s a horse a piece so far as strength durability is concerned. We re not putting on 150 K a year on these things. Your choice. And the cost difference is not much.
So far as these bags working on a differant model, I can t speak for that. If it s a p30 chassis and the underside looks like a airstream setup, I don t know why it would any differant. The part number of the bag should be on the top of the bag. Mine had the WO 358 , but it was not 5412 , so they may have updated the part number. They got cross reference charts. No worries there. Good luck. DJ

[Boom Sounds]

Hi there - do you have a part number or link for the push type fittings and I'll see if I can source some in the UK


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[bobmiller1]

Thanks for the part number on the bags you used for your 325. Regards, Bob

[davejay]

I'm sorry, I didn't hang onto the part numbers of the fittings. If you got to a truck parts store, they got all that suff. Not ness easily a dealership. A heavy duty truck parts place.
Ha, I found the receipt.
Velvac
016144. 1
016640. 2
016940 2
020064. 50 ft 1/4 line. For my air ride seats up front
016264. 1
016344. 3
016401. 2
016084 1

The 50 of line you may not need, I replaced all lines, because it s a beast to get in there, and once is enough. I only needed about 10 ft of new 1/4 line,
That will pretty much take care of your fittings needs. The fittings work great, don't grease or oil the ends. The o rings and clamping design work great. I did my bags a months or more ago. Bags are at the same height as when installed.
I did change the fittings on the air compresser . So if you don't do that you'll have some fittings left over. Fittings cost me about 65.00 bucks

[Swillv8]

These are the specs for the bags in this thead. I'm not sure how to read these values. I see a difference but how much? And if I got the taller bags on my 280 could I bring my front to match? Also I I needed to be towed AGAIN in the future could I just raise the rear to aid the tow? And regular driving keep lower to match the front? Or bring up the rear so I can drive over bumps lol

[Smartstream]

I would go with the shorter, original bag. The taller bag would raise the rear almost 2" if set to the middle of the travel range. You will get very little lift out of the front suspension as it has very little vertical travel.

If you are concerned about towing you could crawl under and adjust the valve up and gain maybe 3" or 4" but then you have to re-adjust back down after the tow. Mine has been on the hook a few times with no problems. Just don't let the driver try any steep driveways.

[Swillv8]

Thanks for your advice. I'm not to sure what I have left of the original set up I'm running on my rear leafs currently! This makes a tow pretty difficult I must say.

I crawled under and assessed the airbag situation. Am I tight to assume those are 9" bolts approx? I was doing the measuring to figure out the holes I would have to drill and it is outside the bottom drawers in the hallway:/ not sure if there is enough room in the bellows to angle the bolt at an angle? Looks to be5" of space from top of crossmember to the underside of floor.

In the very center isa big round pin ? And around that is a rubber sleeve what is this? I'm in need of new rubber mine is shot.

On the leveller thing there are 3 airlines? Only 2 are hooked up to the bags.

My air compressor is not hooked up and I doubt works it looks like it's been in a ditch it's whole life:/

[Smartstream]

I'm not sure what you are looking at by your description. This is the system.

8700-351-Model.pdf

8700-542-Model.pdf

If this isn't enough maybe you can post a couple of pictures.