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Topic: Air-Bag replacement options: (Read 1960 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #26 –
OK, here is a photo of the tool I made for the "hidden" nut. It's 19mm or 3/4" and takes a 1/2" drive. I use a several extensions to get up to it but then it's a snap. Squirt favorite liquid wrench a day or at least a few minutes before. I can't remember why I put a little angle on it.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
OK, here is a photo of the tool I made for the "hidden" nut. It's 19mm or 3/4" and takes a 1/2" drive. I use a several extensions to get up to it but then it's a snap. Squirt favorite liquid wrench a day or at least a few minutes before. I can't remember why I put a little angle on it.

Pierce
After I left my guys made a tool also.. I will take a pic.. when I first seen that tool I thought it was a window crank.. sry.. I didnt really look at it originally

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #28 –
Idea,next time anyone makes a tool,make 2 or 3 and sell to a non-tool making forum member!!!!!
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #29 –
We cut holes on back wall of step and streetside front compartment wall to access these difficult to access holes. We documented with photos. Easy to patch up hole with larger plate. Also gives us future access to the area.

On some coaches, the 'salesman' switch big cables are in the same area, making it an impossible job. We also removed the salesman switch and those two large battery cables.

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #30 –
I do not like holes of any kind so I try to never drill holes.. vhb tape for almost everything.. coach is to nice to chop up.. port holes only look good on boats and lighthouses

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #31 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
We cut holes on back wall of step and streetside front compartment wall to access these difficult to access holes. We documented with photos. Easy to patch up hole with larger plate. Also gives us future access to the area.
I like that idea! Pretty easy to make a cover that will blend in. Will our roof solar, I drilled and screwed everything. I just put a little sealer on each screw threads and call it a day.

P
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #32 –
As you may know, I rarely say anything positive about the guys at World Line Motors.  But they did have a fast way of removing the air line fittings on the airbags where they are difficult to access (e.g. the forward front airbags).  First, they removed the bottom airbag nuts.  Then they cut the old bags in half (horizontally) and then removed the top half.  They then used an air driven chisel to cut the bottom of the fitting off (the part of the fitting that was inside the bag.  This makes it easy to get out and install a new one.  Of course, it is still a hassle to get the new fitting on.  Removal of the docking lights in front provides a path to the fitting on those bags.  See the pics. 
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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #33 –
Quote from: DavidS –
I do not like holes of any kind so I try to never drill holes.. vhb tape for almost everything.. coach is to nice to chop up.. port holes only look good on boats and lighthouses

It's nice to see somebody else shares my feelings about drilling holes.  I never understood why people drill holes in everything...especially boats and RVs.  Holes are a path for leaks!  And why ruin beautiful oak or walnut cabinetry with holes? 
1998 U270 34'

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #34 –
Quote from: George Hatfield –
As you may know, I rarely say anything positive about the guys at World Line Motors.  But they did have a fast way of removing the air line fittings on the airbags where they are difficult to access (e.g. the forward front airbags).  First, they removed the bottom airbag nuts.  Then they cut the old bags in half (horizontally) and then removed the top half.  They then used an air driven chisel to cut the bottom of the fitting off (the part of the fitting that was inside the bag.  This makes it easy to get out and install a new one.  Of course, it is still a hassle to get the new fitting on.  Removal of the docking lights in front provides a path to the fitting on those bags.  See the pics.

We used a grinder and basically the same thing but after the first one... We had to brain storm.. cut bag in half is the easiest to start with.. They made a tool that I will have to look at tomorrow to see what it is.. but another idea we came up with is to notch the plate at the big hole or slot it.. that way we can put the fitting on and slip through the slot.. line up the bolts and tighten .. Putting the fitting on on the backside of the rail is difficult so we will talk it over tomorrow.. slot Idea sounds pretty good.

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #35 –
Once the coach is jacked up and secure, if you have a tool to loosen the four hidden nuts on four bags out of eight, the R&R can't be over 15 minutes, less on the bags without the hidden nut. The only thing that slows the process from being faster is the top nuts are fairly close to the rectangular tubing so you can't use a ratcheting box end on them as it hits on the tubing.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Air-Bag replacement options:

Reply #36 –
We didn't just drill holes, we cut out metal for access. Gave us access to a difficult area. It did make installation easier as we were not going to remove our painted fenders.

Here is our access project:

Air Bags Replaced - 1997 U270