Rear airbags on '87 345 - any tips or tricks

[moeriv]

One of our rear airbags blew out in driveway. Husband crawled under to try & remove old bags. No room to get top bolts out. Anyone with a 345 done this? Read some threads saying to remove grey water tank, but that is not in the way on 345. Any advice? Thanks

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by moeriv

One of our rear airbags blew out in driveway. Husband crawled under to try & remove old bags. No room to get top bolts out. Anyone with a 345 done this? Read some threads saying to remove grey water tank, but that is not in the way on 345. Any advice? Thanks

Pull the drive axle up on some 2 X 6's.

That will give you more working room.

Nothing needs to be removed in order to remove those rear bags, except the air supply line to them.

Andy

[moeriv]

Thanks.....pulled drive wheels up on boards and that gave him enough room get to the top bolts & air fitting. How does the bottom bolt come out, it is loose but just spins. It won't come out. Also, how do you get the bag out. Even though everything is loose the bag still seems wedged in there. Thanks

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by moeriv

Thanks.....pulled drive wheels up on boards and that gave him enough room get to the top bolts & air fitting. How does the bottom bolt come out, it is loose but just spins. It won't come out. Also, how do you get the bag out. Even though everything is loose the bag still seems wedged in there. Thanks

Pull on the bottom bolt as it's being turned.

The bag comes out after some real good coaxing.

Andy

[cmadmaxman]

I would replace both air bags. Good chance the other one is just as old and rubber, just like your tires, don't last forever!
If your system is a Super Ride (American Carrier Equipment, or American Carrier Systems, same company) These should be the bags you need. This was removed from a DIY for my 310 I did for another site.

You can purchase all that is needed from ACE, manuals and parts, but I purchased the Firestone bags from Truck Parts and Accessories for Pickup Trucks, Medium Duty Trucks, Semis, and RVs - TruckSpring.com
The Firestone air bag number from Truckspring.com: W01-358-5412
ACE Part number: 8003-011
One of the problems I have seen in other forums is that some people have listed the wrong air bags for people to get. The bags needed for our rigs have an internal stop to keep you up if for some reason you loose air. Also while setting, the system as it looses air will rest on these internal stops.

If you want the article, I can email it or PM you it.

[moeriv]

Thanks. Finally got the old ones out. I waited to order new ones until I could verify the part #. (I saw a few different ones listed) Should be easier to get the new ones in.

[cmadmaxman]

Go to Truck Spring site, and they have a guide to finding the number on the air spring.

[310]

Hi,
wich bags i have to buy for my 1985 345 ?
These are the ones i found- but what is right???




https://deref-gmx.net/mail/client/VJ...-358-5412.aspx


https://deref-gmx.net/mail/client/Or...y_p_16226.html


https://deref-gmx.net/mail/client/lJ...hoCh68QAvD_BwE


Thanks for a fast response!!!

[davejay]

Hey
The 5412 bags are what you need. I did a post a while back on doing my 325 bags. Looks like you got yours out ok. Suggestion,replace all the fitting with the new style pushin type. Been using them for years now on big rigs. They don't leak and are super easy to use. Plastic or brass it's ones preference.I posted all prt numbers for fittings. Also do your dog bone bushings at this time. Your right there, and they do get worked pretty hard. We did some posts on that too. It's official term is transverse rod bushings you get them from carrier equipment. I think I posted this info may 15 th 2017. Hope it helps DJ.

[310]

Hi Dj,
thanks for the great info!
i already ordered the 5412 ones. And i found the numbers of the fittings in your other post....ordered.
But now one more question:
What kind of leveling valves will fit on my 345?
This valve?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Neway-Sty-A...53.m1438.l2649


Please check and let me know!
I want to update my whole rear airride....and i dont want to order wrong parts...



Thanks in advance!!!

[davejay]

Hey,
That leveling valve is an older design, that they used in the 80s. I think if you took one off and then took it to a truck parts store, they d have just what you need. That valve was used on the suspension, and on the air ride cab.
GMC motor homes used that valve for their bags . Gateway GMC parts out of St Louis probably has them. It's pretty common in the heavy truck industry. They have different, and maybe better designs now, but how they mount on our coaches may be an issue. DJ

[davejay]

Hey,
That looks like the correct valve. Can't verify the mounting hole location. Like I said. They were pretty universal. DJ