Big boom ---air bag .

Topic: Big boom ---air bag . (Read 2554 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #25 – December 16, 2017, 09:12:38 pm

Quote from: bobnkathy – December 16, 2017, 08:46:49 pm

Brad, for future knowledge, you could easily drive with the tag axle raised over great distances. I have on three occasions moved buses with a raised tag axle cross country. At first I was skeptical but when this was advised by the engineers at MCI and Prevost, I took their advice and was glad that they were right. It was explain to me that the tag axle makes the coach ride better but the coach could handle a single axle. I moved my Foretravel over 1300 miles with the tag up and no problem. Unless like you and I have owned a coach with a tag axle, this might not seem right but we know that raising the tag makes better turns and a better ride.

You do have to watch your weight. If I lift my tag, I have over 25000 lbs on drive axle, rated for 21000 lbs. Even though my ISM is 600 lbs lighter than your ISX. Might drive a couple of miles like that, but not long distances.

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #26 – December 16, 2017, 09:16:20 pm

I hear you Bob . I had a chat with the Foretravel powers to be and was advised that the weight of the ISX put this into a different category . It was my first think to drive it to NAC but when FOT advised against it ------So all that is left is talk about how tuff it was to do it . That deal that OTM was offering on bag replacement was better than I had any idea . At that time I thought that my bag problems were way way down the road . Hmm , you never know . Brad Metzger

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #27 – December 17, 2017, 01:48:12 pm

Got it done . Feel like I did something majorly large . Main problem is there is only one bolt visible , all --I mean all--the rest you go by feel . No problem you say ,? well here I am , old , fat , slow between the ears , screwed up shoulders and several other body parts are a bit out of whack . Hmm --- If only you could get a socket on it , or a box end wrench things would have been much betterly .Open end was what it took . I have a stubby set and had to cut off 7/8th inch to allow it to fit in that very close channel , and like I said before could only get 1/16 of a turn . On the inner side , I had to weld 2 1/8 inch back on the stubby to gain leverage as I could not get a hammer in there to tap it .Was wanting to use a regular size --no way, too tight So it took lots of time all the while reaching up and trying to turn that bolt which was very tight with resistance both on and off . Knowing now what was involved , I just felt like there was no other choice . Proud to be able and willing to do it . My coach 6527 and I don't think it is possible to do it with the wheel on the passenger side . I will cover bets on this one . But the satisfaction factor is large . I aired up the coach , all seemed to be normal . Don't know if something else is affected , but don't hear any air leeks . Will see if it holds air pressure over time .

Brad Metzger

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #28 – December 17, 2017, 02:10:09 pm

Great job

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #29 – December 17, 2017, 03:09:19 pm

Look at it as a Prime Fitness Opportunity also!!

Now go enjoy a bowl of ice cream.

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #30 – December 17, 2017, 03:43:40 pm

Stump , I think you are reading my mind .Got my ruff old beat up body in the house , got a long hot shower and you guessed it , A bowl of ice cream with Hershey chocolate syrup . Reward time

Brad Metzger .

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #31 – December 17, 2017, 04:54:04 pm

Brad, well done ,now if it goes flat while on the road you now know what to do -sell it!!!
JohnH

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #32 – December 17, 2017, 05:39:36 pm

Awesome

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #33 – December 17, 2017, 07:08:41 pm

So far (4) hours the air pressure is holding at 121 and 122 on the glass dash . Hope it is that way in the morning . Got to take some Aleve to help with my trashed shoulders , but I feel so darn good about the satisfactory completion of this that I will sleep good tonight .

Brad Metzger

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #34 – December 17, 2017, 07:27:56 pm

Awesome Brad.

This reminds me of a great story about an absolutely elegant, brilliant, stylish, really beautiful older woman that I had the pleasure of working with for 17 years. I learned so much from her and we became good friends. When she retired she was 80 and looked 65. No one ever believed her age.

We were at our annual company dinner and I was at her table. Another employee looked at my friend and said Myra, I hope I look half as good as you do when I'm your age.

Myra smiled her perfect smile and said: Honey, if you don't look half as good as I do now what makes you think you will when you are my age?

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #35 – December 18, 2017, 03:25:48 pm

The air pressure dropped 10 pounds in the last 26 hours . That is how it was before the bag blew , so back to normal is how it looks now .

Expect to be able to roll right after Christmas and head to NAC

Brad Metzger

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #36 – December 20, 2017, 07:05:30 pm

Your coach is very different from mine with the active air but I'd be surprised if you could see air spring pressure loss in the gauges which only measure what is left in the tanks. Also I've done 8 out of 10 bags on my coach with the last 2 this weekend probably. It's been quite an adventure.

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #37 – December 24, 2017, 11:24:02 pm

If the geometry is the same or close to our coach, the angle of the tag suspension vs that of the top mount "cocks the bag and they wear at the bottom,hard to see when inspecting,,, replace both..

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #38 – December 25, 2017, 07:23:55 am

On the 2003 , 320 , I had , your pictures look like what I remember . What's on this Phenix is way different . Doing this bag was the absolute toughest mechanical procedure I ever undertook in my life time . Not a mechanic by any stretch , but not a dumb ass either . I look at the other bags on this coach and they look like a piece of cake in comparison , even the other tag bag looks much easier but still tougher than the others . Haven't looked at the front independent single bag per wheel yet . I had a close up look see at the other tag bag while fully inflated . Can't find anything that looks like any thing but new . .not even a tiny crack --. The bag that blew also looks new . Hmm. Could be I don't know exactly what to look for , but when I whipped it off and blew if off with my shop air gun ,, 160 pounds , it actually is almost shiny as in new looking . I shutter at the thought of ever having to do that job again .

Brad Metzger

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #39 – December 27, 2017, 10:51:09 pm

Is there a pressure regulator controlling the two weight bearing bags? If so I would really take a good look with a temporary 2nd pressure gauge between the current regulator and the bag.... I have "blown" several lift-able axle bags on 4 axle tractors,leveling valve took a powder on 2 of them and several months later, the pressure regulator went full force and blew the other two.

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #40 – January 02, 2018, 09:42:53 pm

Today while in for service at FOT , I ask several techs about replacing the passenger's side tag bag on 45 ft Phenix . They all said it is the tuffest one there is on any Foretravel . When I told them that I did it they all said bull shit , you could not do it , your too old etc. etc. Hmm , had no choice , had to do it . It works , no leaking air and yes , I smile to myself about it .

Brad Metzger

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #41 – January 02, 2018, 10:42:45 pm

Sometimes them whipper snappers underestimate us old guys👍😬!

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #42 – January 02, 2018, 11:56:25 pm

The more the techs bitch, the higher the flat rate charge, this is known as marketing.

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #43 – January 04, 2018, 12:53:15 pm

I thought I had posted earlier, but can't find it. I replaced my bags at Old Town Motorcoach (NAC) while there in anticipation of future problems (had some leak down issues) a few months ago. They had a air bag replacement special for $1800 (Continental) which they were running through February. I would highly recommend them for this. Not only do I have peace of mind driving down the road, but there is no discernable leak requiring adjustment once I level the coach.U
UPDATE:
It appears that OTM is out of business, so disregard my previous recommendation. Really sorry to see them go.

Re: Big boom ---air bag .

Reply #44 – January 10, 2018, 04:09:21 pm

I just finished the last bag on my coach, the driver side tag axle bag.. And I have to say, that was one of the worst bags I've done on the coach. The air nut required a 1 1/16 driver not the 1 1/8 ratcheting wrench I had. It was difficult to fit the 1 1/8 on there without the right voodoo extensions. The new bag top studs did not fit through the holes because of some kind of tolerance issue so they required "finessing" (aka kicking and punching). And then unlike the firestone bags I was unable to pull it open to tighten the bottom studs so I had to just connect the air line and have the wife slowly put air into the bag while guiding the bottom studs in. All that effort and I was covered in filth when done from crawling around under the coach. The "inner bags" (aka the rearmost front bags or the frontmost rear bags) were the easiest even though I thought they would be a problem. I actually bought something called a tite reach to handle it but I realized that a 3/8 ratchet with a 3/8 deep socket fit perfectly and allowed you enough room to swing the ratchet towards the OUTSIDE of the coach. I could write a whole story on this job and I'm glad it's finished. I might make a video to explain it all. 99% of the job is having the exact right tools.

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