Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

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Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

November 11, 2020, 07:38:12 pm

Dropped her off this morning at 7 for this all to be done. They have done many motorhomes but not any FT's. Handed the instructions to them how to adjust the ride height. and the custom made tool by one of our members for airbags.
SO, Any wagers they will get it correct, no leaks, height correct, all working the first time??
Ha Ha. I don't see many top notch mechanics anymore. Usually young guys who see the work coming in and fight about who HAS to do the job.
I don't like to be negative, but reality and past experiences have caused me to be a bit gun shy.
I thought a wager may make the experience more fun

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #1 – November 11, 2020, 07:50:10 pm

What no hidden recorders. That's were the fun is watching them do them for the first time. They lock in a replacement price?
Scott

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #2 – November 11, 2020, 08:05:43 pm

There are a lot of good people out there but the trick is finding them. I just do all my own work so then I know that it is done right.

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #3 – November 11, 2020, 08:24:31 pm

I bought all the parts and took them to them. Labor only. $85 an hour

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #4 – November 11, 2020, 08:47:37 pm

Quote from: oldguy – November 11, 2020, 08:05:43 pm

There are a lot of good people out there but the trick is finding them. I just do all my own work so then I know that it is done right.

At least you know who to blame. Bet your also underpaid for your work!
Scott

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #5 – November 12, 2020, 11:56:25 am

Quote from: dans96u295ft – November 11, 2020, 07:38:12 pm

SO, Any wagers they will get it correct, no leaks, height correct, all working the first time??

Hope for the best, plan for the worst. If all you need to do is tweak the ride height and tighten a leaky fitting I consider it a 100% success.

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #6 – November 12, 2020, 03:07:33 pm

LH lug nuts?

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #7 – November 12, 2020, 08:17:18 pm

Took over 8 hours to cut and get the old bags and new ones installed. Going to have the alternator replaced. original and 128,000 miles. Like for like Leece-Neville, $450. Thought that was reasonable. FT wants $600 for the part plus shipping not to knock FT parts. They have helped me lots! Pick it up Tuesday as it has to be shipped in.
Thanks for the heads up on that is a special alternator. I was able to warn them it ain't your normal 160 amp one and they caught it in time

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #8 – November 12, 2020, 09:02:53 pm

Hey Dan,
What is special about the alternator?
Can you give ordering info so I can get one?
I have a 98 U295 so probably same as yours.
Thanks Windwalker

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #9 – November 12, 2020, 09:30:03 pm

Quote from: windwalker – November 12, 2020, 09:02:53 pm

What is special about the alternator?

Windwalker,

It is just a DUVAC alternator. This means it is set up for a dual battery set up with an isolator.

Quote from: windwalker – November 12, 2020, 09:02:53 pm

Can you give ordering info so I can get one?

Think about finding you an old time alternator/starter shop and have yours freshened up.

Mike

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #10 – November 12, 2020, 09:44:04 pm

I would definitely research the forum and upgrade to a Delco-Remy alternator,had my old Leece rebuilt and did not last long,you can get tha new Delco cheaper then a new Leece Neville.

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #11 – November 12, 2020, 11:23:01 pm

An old time shop is the key here. Our FD was all L/N and they never gave any trouble. Yes, they are heavier but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Alternators have only a few parts and if rebuilt properly and not spun faster than specs, they will last a long time. Improperly installed alternators with loose or corroded connections may either suffer transient voltage peaks or overheat from high resistance and too tight belts frequently cause bearing failure. If belt driven, the belt(s) should be just able to be turned 90 degrees half way between the two pulleys by fingers with a bit of effort.

Our alternator has about 110K on it now. I could see some overheating signs where the output lead connected but after cleaning both sides of the connection, it still works fine.

Pierce

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #12 – November 12, 2020, 11:44:36 pm

I'll post the numbers when I get it back next Tuesday. I am probably spending money not needed, but that old in age bothers me. The connections were really corroded and tough to get off but they did it without breaking anything

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #13 – November 13, 2020, 08:54:14 am

When I had my original rebuilt they informed me that the wireing in regulator part fell apart while they were cleaning it so they installed a new v regulator — been going now for 2 years and no problems I've been using this shop for over 30 years decided to try shop closer to home for tractor alternator and had problems so went back to original shop— yes there is something to be said for old shops that train the younger employees the proper way to fix things
Chris

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #14 – November 13, 2020, 09:15:51 am

Going sideways here just a little bit, I installed new brushes in my 16A (22 Max) Fiat generator yesterday. Like everything else on this car the failure was caused by the use of the wrong parts, this time carbon brushes. The ball bearings are fine.

Re-built usually means brushes and bearings. If you purchase a re-built, you've exchanged your alternator for someone else' failure. As Pierce said, clean connection go a long way to preserving your alternator.

I used to own a 1964 White with a box and ramps for my car. I stopped in at an old time automotive supply store and asked if they had brushes for a Leece-Neville. In response I received, after some catalog page turning, "What kind of car is that?"

Leece-Neville, S.E.V. Marchand. You get for which you pay.

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #15 – November 13, 2020, 09:26:20 am

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – November 13, 2020, 09:15:51 am

the failure was caused by the use of the wrong parts,

This is the root cause of a lot of redoes using parts that are just as good/same as/or will work rather than OEM on something as important as an alternator.

Mike

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #16 – November 13, 2020, 01:44:30 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – November 13, 2020, 09:26:20 am

This is the root cause of a lot of redoes using parts that are just as good/same as/or will work rather than OEM on something as important as an alternator.

Mike

All too true Mike. Just to keep it interesting, Fiat made this generator in left and right hand versions. I have the left hand engine.

To try and stay on topic, I wanted to point out that a rebuilt alternator usually a pair of ball bearings, a pair of brushes, maybe a voltage regulator and paint. On many alternators the brushes are pressed into the case and cannot be changed.

Art.

PS For the 52 year old Fiat, I found brushes, bearings and the plastic insulators for less than $50.

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #17 – November 13, 2020, 03:59:36 pm

8 hrs to remove and replace is pretty darn good time for Someone who hasn't done it before. You weren't hosed on the time part of it.

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #18 – November 13, 2020, 04:49:55 pm

I agree Dub. They had to cut some of the fittings off from corrosion. The tip to pull the scare lights out in front really helped get to that nut. The mechanic is appx 35 years old and he said he was sore all over the next day from air bag replacement!!!

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #19 – November 13, 2020, 08:03:47 pm

Quote from: dans96u295ft – November 13, 2020, 04:49:55 pm

I agree Dub. They had to cut some of the fittings off from corrosion. The tip to pull the scare lights out in front really helped get to that nut. The mechanic is appx 35 years old and he said he was sore all over the next day from air bag replacement!!!

Shoot, I was sore for a week just replacing 2. I guess being 72 has it 's draw backs.
Price sounds fair.
Chris

Re: Air bags, ride height valves and air regulator being replaced correctly the 1st

Reply #20 – November 13, 2020, 09:29:25 pm

I'm 68 and looked at those bad boys for a year and finally said, ain't happening, pay the shop!!!

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