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Topic: Fender Removal for the Air Bags (Read 786 times) previous topic - next topic

Fender Removal for the Air Bags

So last year sometime I posted about air bags, their part numbers, where to buy, etc..  and received all the info I needed. One of the big discussions was on the removal of the fenders regarding ease of replacing the air bags. After looking at how the placement of the fittings on the air bags in relationship to the frame I decided to remove all fenders, trim first. The rear fenders took about 20- 25 minutes each, taking all the screws out with a cordless and then cutting silicon-ed  trim away from the body. The front fenders on both sides took about 45 minute to an hour each, depending on the amount of silicone used either from Fotetravel or perhaps the previous owner. The silicone was used along the sides and adhered the fender panel to the metal frame work. A heat gun and a sharpened putty knife from the backside worked, not exactly effortlessly though.

Anyhow the bags where a lot easier to replace with the fenders off as some of the fittings took a little something extra to break loose, and of course they were the ones that were hard to get to. So here's my question, when I removed the fenders there was a strip of thin plastic strip or batten that ran underneath the trim pieces, but only in some places. Is it necessary to replace that plastic strip?. It's in pretty bad shape some of it's coming out in pieces.

Eric, Mary and Carl the jack russel terrorist
1997 U320, #5143, w/450 hp, 6.9 on the richter scale
Sammie the toad
Live Free or Die

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #1 –
When I took my trim strips off, I put the strips back, even with them being in pieces.  They are there to act like spacers to keep the trim even front to back. 

I don't think they serve any purpose except visual straight lines on the trim.
1998 U320 40'
2005 GMC Yukon
MC# 17609

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #2 –
I have a 2002 U270 replaced all airbags in less than three hours once I safely raised  and blocked the chassis , I use an X-Acto knife and I cut the Air bags  the hardest nut to remove is the one that fills the airbag . I was able to get a step drill (1/4 to 7/8) and drill from the inside up into the welded nipple and was easily able to remove the upper plate. Once removed used A Ratchet wrench that I cut down to the appropriate size to reinstall the nut on the new bag . The nipple is not  exotic material and once you drill it you can easily just snap it free from the upper steel plate of the airbag don't even bother removing the nylon airline going to the bag just drill the nipple from underneath and then you can remove everything because you can bring it into a position where you can easily work on it that's what I did anyway this is a very fast brief description but worked very well for me 🎈
John Patrick
2002 U270

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #3 –
I also put the plastic spacers back in place even though they were broken in a few places.  I think you want something there as a backer in the gap behind the trim piece.

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #4 –
Would Teflon tape be to thin to work?
Future Foretravel Owners
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Retired USAF, Retired DOD Civ's
FAA A&P, Indust. Eng., Acft Depot Lvl. Maint.
Larry and Becky Rountree

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #5 –
Couldn't help myself. So I measured both types of Teflon tape I have .0035" preaty thin
Scott

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #7 –
I have cut strips from a cheep flexible cutting board that can be found at the $ store to replace those shims.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #8 –
Yeah I tried putting the trim back with out the plastic and your right it does act as a spacer or shim to keep the trim level or straight across the front. I ended up piecing it back together, we're all good today. Thanks everyone.
Eric, Mary and Carl the jack russel terrorist
1997 U320, #5143, w/450 hp, 6.9 on the richter scale
Sammie the toad
Live Free or Die

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #9 –
When I bought my coach last fall the rear rear air bags had been changed and I changed the the front rear air bags that came
with the coach. I didn't remove the fenders. I have bought the front air bags and will be starting on them soon. Hopefully I can do the
front without removing the fenders.  I will post how it went.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #10 –
New 10% discount for Finditparts = Take10

I am just sharing. There always are better deals. This is just what popped up today.  Safety, sanity to all. Mark

Note: I guess to find the air leaks that were caused by my bags being replaced by "pros", my fenders shall be pulled.
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Texhub –
New 10% discount for Finditparts = Take10

I am just sharing. There always are better deals. This is just what popped up today.  Safety, sanity to all. Mark

Note: I guess to find the air leaks that were caused by my bags being replaced by "pros", my fenders shall be pulled.
That's where I bought my bags last year got all 8 for 710.00. Pulling the fenders is not hard, but they don't come off as fast as one might want, and a little longer going back on with all the old silicone removal and cleanup, and I can't imagine replacing the bags without their removal. Also, just a note the brass 90s that come out of the top of the bags are DOT rated. Any standard hardware store fitting would work but probably not advised and the two styles are not inter-changeable. (could be the source of your leak). They are 1/4" MPT X 3/8" hose, at least that's what mine are.
Eric, Mary and Carl the jack russel terrorist
1997 U320, #5143, w/450 hp, 6.9 on the richter scale
Sammie the toad
Live Free or Die

Re: Fender Removal for the Air Bags

Reply #12 –
I wasn't charged for new fittings. Oh S.  Hope the xxxxxx didnt strip everything.
Dam
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.