Re: Airbags on 03 U295
Reply #24 –
Update, Continental Bag installed
Made my eight 7" steel blocks to lock the chassis up. Used an old 5th wheel jack tube, so 4 slide inside each other for small storage.
Did the 1st bag today. Now that Find Parts.com jacked the price up, I decided to only change 2. The ones behind the front wheels.
They really aren't that bad, just had some scary splits, which once off, turned out to be nothing.The others are a little crusty around the bottom, but IMHO no big deal.
I ordered one more for a spare. If I ever have to change one, why not put a new one on, rather then an old one. I liked doing it at home for a dry run, to see what I would need. I did it all with hand tools, even though I have air and all kinds of impacts.I had all the parts to make a fancy tool, but the truth is, with a swivel headed ratchet, it was easy. I can also see how cutting the hard to get bolt off with a sawzall would be easy.If done right, it's not going to hurt anything.You just need to loosen the bag some, and let the it drop off the plate a bit.My blade was too short, so i didn't do it.
I thought about doing them on the road, if it gave me any hassle, I would take the fender off. When I was a FT tech, we did it all the time. No biggy. But this way was quick. Start to finish, less then an hour. I'am 69 1/2 years, so I am no spring chicken either.
I cleaned all the lower plates and painted them, then cleaned and wiped down the old bags with Protectant 303. I used all the old hardware. But will get new hardware for spares, when I do the next one. I also got a brass cap together for the air line for future use if one starts leaking.
I thought about changing the plastic bottom plate out to the old metal one, but it looks fine to me.I went with it.
Now that I know it is easy to do, carrying a spare and all the parts and tools, I am not going to worry about it. They don't "blow out" anyway.
New one on left, old on right
Cheers
Topic: Airbags on 03 U295