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AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

After a lengthy illness and motorhome setting up the whole time, I was finally able to check things out. I found an air leak and the coach sitting down on tires (no air pressure). My question is how to safely jack up coach and have room to get under to replace the faulty air line that is located around the back axle in center of coach.
 Thank you for any advice and knowledge you can give me.
Jim Monk
1997 U270
Jim Monk
1997 U270
East Texas

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #1 –
Unless it is a fast leak, you should be able to use the air bags to raise the coach, then place blocks, and dump air so the coach rests safely on the blocks.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #2 –
Thanks Tom, unfortunately it is a very fast leak. I can't build up enough pressure to change anything.
Jim Monk
1997 U270
East Texas

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #3 –
Jim,

Actually, a BIG leak is a lot easier to find than a slow one.  Start at the air dryer.  Also make sure the tank drain valves are closed.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #4 –
Thanks Brett, I can hear the leak near the back axle but with the coach sitting on the tires I can't get underneath to narrow the problem down to repair it. I need to be able to jack up either the whole coach or raise it off the bottomed out position. I know if I can raise it I will have to block it for safety.  Do you have any ideal how I can safely raise the coach without doing damage to it?
Jim Monk
1997 U270
East Texas

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #5 –
Try to raise it with the hwh, the little compressor will take a while, but should raise it unless it is an air bag or line to an air bag
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #6 –
I understand the problem, but don't have much of a solution. Is the leak forward of the engine bay ? Can you reach the ride height valves and maybe get air into the bags ? Maybe get some jacks under the structure in the rear? Be interesting to know how you solve this one.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #7 –
Will the coach build enough air pressure to release the brakes? If so, Can you  drive it up on some wood to get a little more room,if you could get it on some 6x6 maybe. Tires might drag a little but it would get you up.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #8 –
Quote from: red tractor –
Try to raise it with the hwh, the little compressor will take a while, but should raise it unless it is an air bag or line to an air bag
X2 on this solution!  The aux compressor feeds directly into the air bags (through the 6-packs), bypassing all the other air devices.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
Unless it is a fast leak, you should be able to use the air bags to raise the coach, then place blocks, and dump air so the coach rests safely on the blocks.

And if you aren't familiar with them, this topic has some suggestions for the safety blocks you'll need Working Safely around your Foretravel
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #10 –
Chuck may have hit on a solution, maybe even tie into the line at your aux compressor with a shop air compressor?
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #11 –
Dave, one option to connect into the aux air line rather than splicing may be to use the compressor with a rubber tip air gun and blow air into the third air tank.  Go to the drain valve of the third tank...mine is just in front of the driver front tire...open the vslve, blow air in and then close valve when done.

Other ideas if this work?
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #12 –
If none of the above work and the coach is on level ground, maybe you could drive the rear wheels up onto ramps with the parking brake set.  Since you don't have air pressure the parking brake will be on anyway.  My coach will move with the parking brake set at about 1000 rpm.  If it moves at a lower rpm the parking brake isn't holding as well as it should.  Rusty brake rotors may require more than 1000 rpm to break loose.  I would try moving it first a little before trying it on the ramps.  It should stop as soon as you lift off the throttle. Even if the ramps don't raise it much, maybe give you enough room to get some jacks under the large frame members near the engine to jack it up some more.  Edit: Although the tires are touching the top of the wheel well, the coach is actually sitting on the frame stops, and not much wear should occur for a short move.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #13 –
With the coach sitting on the tires I don't think moving the coach is a good idea. Would use the small compressor to raise the coach instead...... Or find a real skinny person to call under there.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #14 –
Hate to suggest it, but is it sitting where you can dig ?
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #15 –
@Jim,

I think I'd make a call to Foretravel.

My only other suggestion would be to lift the rear axle with a bottle jack and slide boards under the wheels.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #16 –
Thanks for all the responses and ideals. I will be able to work on it (weather permitting) this week. I will post the outcome.

Jim Monk
1997 U270
East Texas

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #17 –
The coach is sitting down on the hard stops, right?  In that condition, it is perfectly safe to crawl under the coach - it can't drop down any more.  I can slither under our coach when the air is dumped - I've done it on numerous occasions in our driveway.  Once you are past the fiberglass sides, there is a surprising amount of room under the rear end, especially just aft of the axle, and around the transmission.

Find a skinny mechanic (or do it yourself) who can crawl under there and look around.  If you're lucky, he will be able to reach the leak point, and at least do a temporary repair.  If you can just build enough air pressure to raise the coach fully (should only require about 90 psi?), then you can insert your safety stands and do a permanent repair.

Edit: I think Roland already suggested this solution (in a post above).
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."
 

Re: AIR LINE FAILURE REPAIR

Reply #18 –
Chuck that's good info, kind of what I was hoping I could do. I am not too far out from surgery so I will have to find a "skinny mechanic" to crawl under there & do the repair.  I hope to jack up the coach some and block it up to make it a little easier. The coach is under a shed so I will have to wait for the wet weather to go away. We are predicted to get six to ten inches of rain in the next three days. We are in Southeast Texas.
Jim Monk
1997 U270
East Texas