Gonna be a busy week.
What do you figure? One per day?
Hopefully more...gonna pull the fenders also
Two people can get it all done in one day if you have your ducks in a row ahead of time. Jacks, stands, tools, etc. Shocks don't take any time at all.
Pierce
Come on over and bring that speciality tool you made :) :)
I foresee a smoother more controlled ride in your future! :thumbsup:
No need to rush, no need to drag out for month either.
Scott
Complete set
Douse all the bolts/nuts with penetrant and let it sit overnight. Makes for a whole lot less knuckle busting....unless you have one of these.. Milwaukee 2767-22 Fuel High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring Kit -... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0754MTTCL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) I almost gave up on the job until the Milwaukee showed up.
Send em....USPS 3 day.....I'll cover the ride both ways
Those shortened ratchets for the top nuts Scott has are the key to a quick R&R. If you have fairly clean with no corrosion studs at the top, the penetrating oil makes it easier. It you have rust/corrosion, the penetrating oil is a must. 3/4 sockets with Scotts extensions mean 20 seconds per air bag for the two bottom studs. If you jack it up like my photos, you have absolutely no need to pull the wheels for the top nuts. But Scott's ratchets pave the way.
Pyolet's Milwaukee is perfect for removing wheels but for removing the bottom nuts on the bags and doing the shocks without spending $400 plus, Harbor Freight's air impacts on this page make fast work of the job. Larger diameter 25' air line is good running off the coach air. The air bag nuts are easy but the shocks may be harder so the Earthquake air gun is 100% effective: https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=impact%20air%20wrench . Consider the $$ saved and buy a HF air/hydraulic jack. Coupon for 20% makes the 12 or 20 ton inexpensive.
Pierce
Save yourself some wrenching by using regular hex nuts with lock washers to install the new airbags, rather than using the steel lock nuts that you removed.
where did you purchase your shocks and what is the part number
Originally ordered from Shock Wharehouse but.....Reordered from Koni NA direct abit more money and freight but they were here pronto...
Look closely and you will see a tap to clear the threads. Just installed left two bags on my 320 since last post. I'll install other two tomorrow..
Scott
I removed one of the shocks to do the right front air bag and that was easy. I have a flex long handle ratchet that I used for the top
bolts that worked but I like Scotts fabricated wrenches. I made a socket to remove the elbow like Scott did as I don't have a crows
foot. When I did the front rears I had the wheels off. The rears were already done. The front right I didn't take the wheel off which
I think made it harder and I took the left front off and no more climbing under to get at it. If I had to do it again I would pull all the
wheels. I change my wheels twice a year as I have snow tires so that's when I did my rears.
Clearing the threads doesn't alleviate the need to keep torquing the lock nut for the length of the threads.
No longer a lock nut spot of thread lock and they just spin on
Scott
I set the bar low so that I can be pleased with my daily progress. I also put all of the necessary tools on a tray and leave it where I'm working. I just slide in and continue working the next day with no time lost in getting set up.
[quote author=oldguy date=1606611635 link=msg=409886
I made a socket to remove the elbow like Scott did as I don't have a crows
foot.
I have crows feet wrenches in three different styles. The white tool fits over the top of the fitting and can be used with a 3/4 gearwrench or my modified 3/4 gearwrench on the front to air bags. After about 3/4 turn the fittings should be loose.
[/quote]
The best part of my set is the locking impact extensions which lock onto the adapter wrenches and you can hang the entire setup on the nut without it falling apart.
I'd do these everyday if someone was willing to pay 50$ a bag installation. I may have a third set to install but I think after that there's no more in Boulder City that need changing
Scott
15% discount finditparts
Cyber
11-30-2020
Contitech as9448 is out of stock right now.
Shocks are on my list for early next year. That's pretty cool that you guys make your own tools... My airbags were replaced a few years before I bought my coach but if I ever have to replace them again I'm coming to you... For helping figuring it all out.
I am buying contitech as9449 air bags and Gabriel shocks.
I plan to change by myself.
However, I search on the forum about how to protect the air spring, I get a lot of posts. But I can't find a picture to demonstrate how it should be done. Here is my plan, please let me know if there is any issue.
I plan to use 6x6 treated wood, cut to 8.5 height. that is the ride height. I know forum recommends 2" receiver hitch. But I don't know any welding shop near by that can do that. I can just go to homedepot buy one 6 x 6 x 8 foot. Somebody mentioned the treated wood can support 7000lbs. If I use 4 to support the body, it should be enough.
I plan to change front axle first since it is leaking the most.
Air up the bag to ride height, then put multiple (4) woods on front axle to support the body.
Use 20 ton jack to lift the one side tire off ground.
Use two 6 ton jack stand to add extra support.
Use the torque multiplier to loose the lug nuts.
Take off the tire.
This should give good clearance to access the air spring.
Replace the air spring, replace shock.
put back tire, torque to 450ftlbs
Repeat on the other side.
This is the hitch most use.
https://www.harborfreight.com/class-iii-12-in-x-2-in-standard-receiver-tube-69879.html
Thanks, do you have to cut to 8.5 inch?
No you raise the coach and install the safety bars. Takes a little practice to get them in the front sometimes using the left or right raise arrows. Also helps if the governor is set for 130 psi.
Running,
You will find that you need to loosen the lug nuts prior to lifting the tire off the ground if you are doing them by hand. What year coach are you doing this on? This will help determine if you have Budd style wheels or hub centered wheels. If Budd wheels left hand threads on drivers side. 12" safety stands (blocks) will give you lots more room if you are a little fluffy around the center section.
Mike
Treated wood is usually Hemlock, not the strongest wood. When I did my airbags I used 12 inch blocks and since then I have made
12 1/2 inch blocks. The blocks that came with the coach, some were fir and some were hardwood and they were 2 inches by 4 inches,
actual size and my new ones are 4 x 4 inches all hardwood.
The coach is 1991 grand villa u300
It doesn't have the hwh leveling system in the later model.
I am not sure if it can raise all the way to 12 1/2 inch.
If no need to cut, I might just buy the receiver hitch.
Do I need four of them?
Do you have hydraulic levelers?
Running Odometer
You stated in reply #24 that you were buying Coni Air Springs. Then in Reply #30 state that "It doesn't have the hwh leveling system in the later model." I'm a bit confused on what IS being worked on. Can you add more detail info?
1991 GV doesn't not have auto leveling system. It has 8 air bags. It relies on a manual leveling system by pulling three levers to control the height of the air bag.
Then raise the coach all the way up and block the trailing arms to the frame. Maybe someone with your year coach can post a picture.
It should still be able to raise enough to get the safety stands in. Just pull the levers all the way back with the coach running until it won't raise any further.
exactly how I did it...my safety stands are 12 1/4" and in some positions still have 3/8" clearance when in full up position...good time to replace your air tank vent valves too..