Replacing air bags

Topic: Replacing air bags (Read 1505 times) previous topic - next topic

Replacing air bags

June 11, 2023, 06:15:38 pm

So I received my new air bags from FT and tomorrow plan on replacing only my 4 front bags so far. I've been soaking penetration oil on all the bolts for a few days to help to get ready. No leaks yet with the bags so this is just preventive maintenance and besides they are over 20 years old. ( 1999 36' U320.)
Are there any videos out there on this? I haven't found any on utube yet.
I planned on cutting some (4) 2" heavy wall square tubing with bag's around half air up to shore up all bags, removing and replace then air up and move over to other side and repeat.
Am I on the right track?
Thanks for any advice.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #1 – June 11, 2023, 06:25:03 pm

No videos that I know of, but many posts on this subject. Use the search box (top right on every Forum page) to search for "air bag replacement" or similar terms. You should find several helpful threads.

On the subject of safety stands, see the thread linked below:

Safety Stand Placement

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #2 – June 11, 2023, 06:36:04 pm

Here is information about special air bag tools. Lending is at the discretion of the tool owner.

Tools for air bag replacement

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #3 – June 11, 2023, 07:00:17 pm

Quote from: Ahb867 – June 11, 2023, 06:15:38 pm

So I received my new air bags from FT and tomorrow plan on replacing only my 4 front bags so far. I've been soaking penetration oil on all the bolts for a few days to help to get ready. No leaks yet with the bags so this is just preventive maintenance and besides they are over 20 years old. ( 1999 36' U320.)
Are there any videos out there on this? I haven't found any on utube yet.
I planned on cutting some (4) 2" heavy wall square tubing with bag's around half air up to shore up all bags, removing and replace then air up and move over to other side and repeat.
Am I on the right track?
Thanks for any advice.

You should block both sides with the 12" long tubing raising it all the way up. Without the special tools the front right is problematic. Look at many posts on the project to be prepared.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #4 – June 11, 2023, 07:17:51 pm

I know others have done the job with the proper tools without removing the fenders, but I just did all 8 bags a while back and did remove the fenders.
If you take your time and are careful, you can remove the metal trim strip covering the screws fairly easy.
Be careful not to bend it and it will snap back into place when done.

One tool that is super helpful is a ratcheting 1 1/8" combination end wrench. That makes loosening the big air fitting nut easy.
The front passenger side is tight with all the wiring and hoses that are in there, but just take your time.

Another tip, if you have a sawzall with a long blade (10 or 11") just loosen the top nut and air fitting nut a few turns and then just saw them off. It makes getting the old bags out easy.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #5 – June 11, 2023, 07:19:46 pm

Repeating what Craneman said, Use safety stands with coach all the way up. That allows a lot more working space.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #6 – June 11, 2023, 10:00:07 pm

I recently finished my air bag replacement project. I agree with others to raise coach to maximum height and place the safety stands as this gives more room to work. I was fortunate that my coach is rust free and all of my fasteners on the airbags removed quite easily. I re-used half of my air fittings and replaced the other half. I should have replaced them all but I only had four. I copied the special tools made by others here on the forum and made them myself. Not all of the airbags required the special tools but the front passenger airbag would have been nearly impossible to do without them. That's because the clearance between the airbag and the entry step well is ridiculously tight. I could get my hand up there but couldn't see it and there's no way to get any conventionally available tools into that space. To make matters worse, this is also where the air fitting is located meaning you have to install the air fitting blind. My coach is full body paint so removing the fenders was not an option for me. I did remove all of the wheels and place the coach on wood blocks. This allowed plenty of room to work on the shocks and airbags and I also replaced caliper slide pins and helper springs. Removing the wheels was no big deal and I used two 20 ton bottle jacks to lift both sides of the rear and then the front at the same time to avoid twisting the chassis.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #7 – June 11, 2023, 10:06:48 pm

two more photos I tried to attach with my reply.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #8 – June 11, 2023, 10:23:09 pm

Just had mine replaced, used these bags recommended by Mr. Risch. The price was right.

Keith

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #9 – June 12, 2023, 08:13:19 am

The shops love to cut them off but I would save one or 2 for spares,did my rears,not that hard to do.
HDFF,can you post a web site and price?

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #10 – June 12, 2023, 08:25:28 am

Approaching the fringes of the topic...

I like the idea of having a spare air bag. Mine were pretty sad looking, so I bought a new one to keep as a spare. The air bags seem very tough, but they are open to the debris that the tires sling.

I bought this too. If I have a suspension emergency, I can wedge the bag in the frame with the 2x4 scraps I carry, inflate the bag, and have some cushion to get to a safe spot. I have driven with 2x4s only, and it is a bumpy ride, even going 10 MPH.

(First ride height valve failed about a mile from the house, and we "2x4-ed" it home. Second failed while airing up in the driveway for some maintenance. I am also replacing the third. I call that stuff lucky!)

Milton S-684-4 1/4" MNPT Male Tank Valve, includes Protective Caps (Pack of...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #11 – June 12, 2023, 12:16:32 pm

Highly recommend getting the airbag tools if you can. The back 6 aren't too bad, but the front 2 are very difficult to remove without the proper tool. I pulled the fenders and was able to do each airbag in about 20-30 minutes.

It's 4 nuts and an airline. Not too complicated. The only issue is when you can't reach the nuts and require a special tool.

*even with the special tool, it's not quick to change out the fronts*

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #12 – June 13, 2023, 11:01:27 am

I carry a tubeless tire plug kit to plug any hole. The hole usually faces the tire. I also carry a spare bag, tools and HF air jack.

As Zach says, *even with the special tool, it's not quick to change out the fronts*. and rear. Depends on rust/corrosion. Best to plug the hole if possible and drive to a good location to change the bag. One of ours developed a hole but the compressor kept the bag up until I found a good spot to plug it and change it later.

Don't drive it if the tire is up against the roof of the wheel well.

Pierce

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #13 – June 15, 2023, 09:18:04 pm

Quote from: John44 – June 12, 2023, 08:13:19 am

The shops love to cut them off but I would save one or 2 for spares,did my rears,not that hard to do.
HDFF,can you post a web site and price?

Keith Risch got them and my senior brain can't remember the price...

Keith

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #14 – June 15, 2023, 11:15:47 pm

Ok, so thanks for all your help and advice from all of you.
Update on replacing my front bags. Foretravel could have designed this system a lot better for the bags to be replaced. I only replaced the two front back ones that looked the most worn. And it was crappy. Cut one off and found them to be very tuff.
Ok so I could have removed my fenders but no way I was going to do that due to the full beautiful paint job.
Some day I will replace the other two.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #15 – June 15, 2023, 11:35:05 pm

Quote from: Ahb867 – June 15, 2023, 11:15:47 pm

Ok, so thanks for all your help and advice from all of you.
Update on replacing my front bags. Foretravel could have designed this system a lot better for the bags to be replaced. I only replaced the two front back ones that looked the most worn. And it was crappy. Cut one off and found them to be very tuff.
Ok so I could have removed my fenders but no way I was going to do that due to the full beautiful paint job.
Some day I will replace the other two.

I did mine without removing fenders. Elliot had my tools last but no clue were they are now, think he told me but I forgot. The. Extensions lock together and the breaker bar is short enough to use easily once they are broken loose with an adult size breaker bar. The white thing slides over the top of the air fitting and is driven by the 3/4 inc gearwrench. The tap is to remove the lock feature out of the big nut. They are not subject to rotation so no need for that. Hope that helps to explane them. Once assembled they will hang on the nut till it is removed without falling apart. Makes it an easy job. Really

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #16 – June 15, 2023, 11:58:04 pm

When I did mine I had the wheels of for all of them except the right front, big mistake. It's quicker
and easier for me to pull the wheels than leave the wheels on. I made a special tool to remove the
air line elbow and reused all the fittings. The front wheels both drivers and steerers are the hardest as
the fittings are tucked in behind the bags. Another advantage of pulling the wheels is the brakes can
be check at the same time.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #17 – June 16, 2023, 09:05:38 am

Quote from: oldguy – June 15, 2023, 11:58:04 pm

Another advantage of pulling the wheels is the brakes can
be check at the same time.

And caliper pins can be removed cleaned and reinstalled. And the helper springs to can be added. I use a spade or flat shovel to lift and rotate wheel to easily facilitate installation. Yes remove the wheels
Scott

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #18 – June 16, 2023, 12:43:40 pm

Quote from: dsd – June 15, 2023, 11:35:05 pm

I did mine without removing fenders. Elliot had my tools last but no clue were they are now, think he told me but I forgot. The. Extensions lock together and the breaker bar is short enough to use easily once they are broken loose with an adult size breaker bar. The white thing slides over the top of the air fitting and is driven by the 3/4 inc gearwrench. The tap is to remove the lock feature out of the big nut. They are not subject to rotation so no need for that. Hope that helps to explane them. Once assembled they will hang on the nut till it is removed without falling apart. Makes it an easy job. Really

I still have them but will be looking to sell them if I ever get my act together

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #19 – June 18, 2023, 10:26:04 am

Quote from: Ahb867 – June 15, 2023, 11:15:47 pm

Ok, so thanks for all your help and advice from all of you.
Update on replacing my front bags. Foretravel could have designed this system a lot better for the bags to be replaced. I only replaced the two front back ones that looked the most worn. And it was crappy.

Had to make me actually laugh out loud
Design
They just built a chassis with great design and then added a body on top of it and it fit. What else do they want. They sell coaches. If we were buying new coaches it still wouldn't matter. Problem here is we want to maintain something that was planned for replacement as a new assembly complete.
Someone will always come up with a patch to the lack of their forethought IMO. I agree with you

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #20 – June 23, 2023, 11:37:38 am

Anyone have any advice on how to dispose of the old airbags? I removed them from the base which is some sort of non-ferrous metal (probably aluminum) but the bag itself is a combination of steel and rubber bonded together. I know I can just pitch them in a dumpster but I wonder if there's a more responsible way to get rid of them.

Re: Replacing air bags

Reply #21 – June 23, 2023, 12:50:50 pm

Put them on your facebook marketplace for free,someone will want them.

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