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Keyair · 07-03-2012, 10:49 AM

Not a pretty or good pic, but here is the drivers side front suspension...
You can see the blue airbag inside the spring and the position of the bumpstop... not sure how many psi was in the airspring.

moonflower · 07-04-2012, 06:59 AM

Happy Birthday America! Thank you to all of you nice guys for responding to my thread. All of your input was very helpful

Ok so here's what we've found;

No airbags in the front. So I purchased from Summit Racing an Airlift 1000 kit part number 81560 for 89 bucks. Not a bad price. Free shipping too. Seems to be the only kit available for this year and chassis. It will be here tomorrow.

Bumpstops. What bumpstops! Thay may have been there at one time but not no more. Got those at Napa yesterday for 9 buck each.

Our shock absorbers are Bilsteins in front and back. Just got those last year.

The steering stabilizer is Monroe. Had a Bilstein but blew out after only 2 years. Probably because of the lack of in the suspension.

The tires were running on are probably not the best. Pathfinder Radial HSR E rated load range F. These were on when we bought her (Sammie) 4 1/2 years ago. Tires are on the spring 2013 list. We've looked and still not sure on the Michelins or Good Year.

Hubby is going under the rear to check airbag pressure today. It's been a few years. Tomorrow He's jacking it up in the frontend to install the bumpstops and airbag kit. I will let you all know how that went. We have been focusing on so many other issues like top end motor rebuild with new Edelbrock intake manifold with more pulling torque, rebuilt carb, rebuild transmition, rebuilt onan, new furnace after repairing the old one for 2 years, new power converter, omg! The list is so long! I'm going to take some pictures of the inside today for all of you to see. Look in my gallery for them. She is original with all cabinets and layout but super clean with all new fabric and carpet. Hope you like her. Were taking her out this weekend to the White Mountain National Forest for some fun. I can't wait to see if it made a difference!

overlander63 · 07-04-2012, 07:27 AM

You should have a compressor to keep the rear airbags filled. There should be some "plumbing and hardware" to keep the ride height at the correct level in the rear. The compressor will likely be in a small compartment in the passenger rear of the motor home, inside.
Now, your load range F tires should NOT have a maximum inflation of 65, it should be more like 95-105, in that range. Inflate the front tires to 60, the rears to 75, and see how that works. Having the tires underinflated will cause handling problems, as well as generate more sidewall heat.
Last, the age of the tires will make a big difference in ride. If the tires are 5 years old or more, they should be replaced. As tires age, the rubber in them hardens, and will cause the tires to stiffen, and the ride to be rougher. I recently changed out the 6 year old tires on my tow vehicle for some fresh new ones. The difference in ride was dramatic. It went from flattening my soda and sloshing my coffee out of its cup while driving, to smooth and steady.

Keyair · 07-04-2012, 01:05 PM

Good job Moonflower!
Another loved Classic I am pleased to see!
Lets see some pics!
I bet hubby is SOOO pleased we helped him get all this work!

The bumpstops are the thing, and the fact they were missing is a huge red flag.
Cant wait for your report!

Its my understanding that not all of the smaller Classics have a compressor for the rear bags. I know that any with the tag axle did. The others have rear air bags for weight and load leveling, and have an external line for filling with a compressor.

dadstoy · 07-05-2012, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airslide

The 82' I worked on didn't have airbags on the front either. When did front airbags start on these?

Vinnie

My 82' 280 has airbags and it is like night and day between no air and 55 pounds.

PeterH-350LE · 07-05-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonflower

.....
Tomorrow He's jacking it up in the frontend to install the bumpstops and airbag kit. I will let you all know how that went.....

Best of luck with the front airbags, they are a bear to remove and install without removing the springs, but I have done it a couple of times.
Get him a pot of real hot water and to stick the bags in before compressing them with a couple of hose clamps to force them through the small opening on the bottom....

Smartstream · 07-05-2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterH-79MH

Best of luck with the front airbags, they are a bear to remove and install without removing the springs, but I have done it a couple of times.
Get him a pot of real hot water and to stick the bags in before compressing them with a couple of hose clamps to force them through the small opening on the bottom....

When I put mine in I removed the valve core and used some hand cleaner for lube. Grab the ends and twist like you are wringing out a towel. Get the end started and kind of screw them in. I was prepared for a battle but was surprised how easy they went in, only took a couple of minutes each.

Good luck, Dan

choctawmel · 07-08-2012, 05:20 PM

I replaced the front springs with a higher weight rated set, replaced the bump stops, and the air bags. The book calls for an aftermarket spring-over gas shock on front that that the PO replaced w/o the spring-over.
With the bigger springs, bump stops, bags, it did soften the ride up and not as many frame bangs! Also raised the front bumper about 1 3/4 inches, which meant I had to raise the rear air ride some too. It has sat on those over weighted spring for 26 years and spring do loss their spring over time.
Also, the weight of the water in the fresh water tank in the rear reduces the weight on the front axle.

Jenniflow · 08-09-2012, 12:57 PM

Yet another excellent thread!
We learned recently that both airbags, front and back have holes in them. I'm figuring holes cannot be repaired?

And if we do remove the bags, I'll be tempted to send smartstream's guide for installation to the mechanic! That is just one of the wonderful things I learn here that I would never have expected to find anywhere. What great tips, you-folks, thanks!

So are there choices that have to be made about replacement airbags? Or is there basically one kind? We already have the system in place so I'm figuring I do not need to go the "Summit Racing an Airlift 1000 kit part number 81560 for 89 bucks" route, right?

And I imagine this would not be a great candidate for used parts?!

This is for a 1986 345 moho, by the way.

Thanks all, for any pointers on this. Actually, I"m not even all that sure about the condition of the springs or shocks, but the general mechanic (not AS specialist) going over the coach didn't mention that these need replacing.

Any thoughts on this, most appreciated.

Smartstream · 08-10-2012, 02:04 AM

The front bags are made by a couple of companies and are the same just different colors. Yes $90 is about what they cost per pair. I priced buying one bag and it was almost as much as the whole kit, now I have a spare bag.

Check out this thread
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...t-s-87273.html
It is all you will ever want to know about your air bags. Truckspring is a great source with lots of info.

Cheers, Dan

Andrew T · 08-10-2012, 03:36 AM

I have weighed several classics to optimize the Tire Pressure. Most need 75 PSI or more in the front tires which run pretty close to maximum load. The rears usually only need 45-60 depending on the model. If you go drive one of the new square boxes with a straight front axle you will be pretty impressed with the ride of the Airstream.

Andrew T

crazeevw · 08-10-2012, 10:36 PM

Andrew,
Thanks for the great advice. Honestly, I've only walked through the new square boxes at RV shows, but never riden in one. Your comment just makes me want to ride or drive one even worse. Believe I'm getting my beast out for a 60 or so mile round trip drive on Sunday, just to do a shake-down. Will adjust tire pressures and front air bag pressures before heading out, just to see if there's any difference.
Thanks, Derek

Keyair · 08-11-2012, 12:33 PM

When I bought my 345 the PO picked us up in Witchita in a newer Class C motorhome, and we had a 4 hour drive to get to Dodge City.
After 4 hours of buffeting, and swaying in that, we got ito the Airstream, and the ride was very different.
I know its not comparing eggs with eggs, but even my buddy commented that the 25 year old Airstream felt more "All together" and better built. It rattled less, wandered less, felt more stable, and did better in crosswinds we both felt.
Later I found out that I had no air in the front airbags, so it should have been even better!

dadstoy · 08-11-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

When I bought my 345 the PO picked us up in Witchita in a newer Class C motorhome, and we had a 4 hour drive to get to Dodge City.
After 4 hours of buffeting, and swaying in that, we got ito the Airstream, and the ride was very different.
I know its not comparing eggs with eggs, but even my buddy commented that the 25 year old Airstream felt more "All together" and better built. It rattled less, wandered less, felt more stable, and did better in crosswinds we both felt.
Later I found out that I had no air in the front airbags, so it should have been even better!

3 years ago when I drove the MH down from Oregon, I had no air in the front bags as well and I'm not sure the rear bags were bumping up either. Now that all is fixed, new front and rear bags, air compressor system working, new shocks, front suspension/steering fixed and front end aligned correctly, I have to say this all made a difference like between night and day! With the new front bags and inflated correctly, I have no porpoising or bottoming out at all.