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Topic: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags.... (Read 451 times) previous topic - next topic

Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

I am sure this has been discussed multiple times but nothing recent so....  I thought I would bring it up again -)

What are everyone's thoughts on proactive maintenance?  At this point I am referring to airbags but I am sure that is not the on;y thing..  belts would be another one...

Anyone replace their airbags even though they are not leaking?  To the best of my knowledge, mine are still factory original, making them 21 years old.. I am thinking about going ahead and replacing them this year.  They do not leak and do not look bad from what I can see - but they are 21 years old...

I replace belts proactively and we all replace tires proactively...  thinking about what other items that may make sense...



Scott Powell
Doylestown, Ohio
2002 U320 3610 WTFS

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #1 –
I would rather replace eight air bags in my driveway, than one air bag on the driver side in the emergency lane of the interstate.

I just pick a project and leisurely gather the supplies and knowledge, do the project.  Then I rest a bit and go on to the next.

Air bags, check shocks, brake helper springs, new AC units, new insulation for the engine and generator... this forum will help you build a list!

My next project will be the seals on the cooling fan motors.  Unless the seep turns into a drip, I will dig in when the weather gets too hot to travel.

EDIT "too hot to travel" is no reflection on the motorhome engine cooling fans, nor the AC units.  I mean when it is 110 degrees and sunny here in Tucson.  Good time to be at home.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #2 –
Yes, I am a STRONG believer in Preventive Maintenance.  Would much rather do maintenance on my schedule and the location of my choice than on the side of the road.

Keeping up with PM many times keeps more expensive components from failing.

Plus, breaking down while on the road is a real hassle.
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: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #3 –
I think it depends on your comfort level. I replaced my air bags when I was told by MOT that they were showing signs of aging and could visually confirm some surface cracking. I would not have done so if there were no signs of wear, but others might change them just because they have reached a certain age. You mentioned tires; I know some say after five years they should be replaced, while others say seven and at least one manufacturer says ten with regular inspections after a certain point (I won't name the brand to avoid what inevitably follows any reference to tire preference). My point is you have to decide what you can live with, especially on items like air bags that do not, to my knowledge, have a manufacturer's set maintenance schedule.
Dave and Kathy Bennett
2004 U270
Build #6253
1600W Solar
700 AH Battle Born Lithium
2015 Jeep Wrangler

No matter what happens, remember you always get the trip out of it.

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #4 –
I'm trying to recall at what point we replaced our airbags, but it was preventative rather than required.  We did base it off seeing a couple of 2003's have a failure on the road (the forum is great for that - watch what others with your year coach have had to do).

While ours looked OK, one tag bag turned out to have been leaking pretty badly.  We were surprised that the ride improved as a result.
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: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #5 –
At about 20 years, one bag developed a leak on the rear most bag on the driver's side. It had a lot of cord showing from road debris. I replaced the matching bag on the other side as it was also showing cord. The other still look good after 30 years so I carry a couple of spares plus a tubeless tire repair kit for the bags. The rubber is REALLY thick on the bags.

Aside from lube, belts, etc., PM should include checking all hydraulic hoses as contact with another hose or a frame member will cause an loss of fluid, time, etc. etc unless you have a couple of backup electric fans (for our coach). Foretravel hydraulic lines are only single jacket so easily damaged. Not that expensive to DIY to double jacket hoses with user installed fittings.

I figure our two propane furnaces have timed out so right now, I'm in the middle of replacing them with diesel heaters with exhaust heat recovery. One will have a exhaust to water heat exchanger so it will provide both hot air and water.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Spowell –
I am sure this has been discussed multiple times but nothing recent so....  I thought I would bring it up again -)

What are everyone's thoughts on proactive maintenance?  At this point I am referring to airbags but I am sure that is not the on;y thing..  belts would be another one...

Anyone replace their airbags even though they are not leaking?  To the best of my knowledge, mine are still factory original, making them 21 years old.. I am thinking about going ahead and replacing them this year.  They do not leak and do not look bad from what I can see - but they are 21 years old...

I replace belts proactively and we all replace tires proactively...  thinking about what other items that may make sense...

My airbags were replaced both due to emergency and preventative. They were labeled 1999 when I pull them off. One blew on the side of US50 in CO. There is no shoulder. There is no cell signal. I had to ride the coach on the underbelly to get off the road, put up the starlink in order to contact my parents (lived about an hour from failure) and stole one of their bags. I ended up replacing them all while boondocking near Salida.  In retrospect, I should've listened to those telling me that they should be changed.

IF the rubber isn't flaking and is still very pliable, you may be okay. The way I see it, I shouldn't have to change them again for another 15-20 years. Why not just do it if you have the funds and time?

I try to always keep belts on hand in case of an issue. Filters is another thing to add to the list.
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Michelle –
  We were surprised that the ride improved as a result.
I found that to be true for us as well.  Anyone know why?  I can't see the pliability of the old vs new making much difference with 30,000 pounds of coach smashing them.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #8 –
If the pressure is the same, the ride has to be exactly the same. Unless the bag has different amount of cubic inches, any very slight difference in the flexibility of the bag itself would not be able to be measured. It's the compressability of the air that dictates the ride.
Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #9 –
I replaced air bags, had Redhead rebuild the steering box and resealed the fan motors before any of them had problems. Keeping ahead of known issues and having spare parts is my way.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #10 –
We replaced the air bags and shocks even though there was no evidence that either was about to fail, but simply because they were getting old. As others have said, changing parts in a safe location is much better than dealing with a mess on the side of the highway. I replaced the start batteries a year ago because they were the same ones that were in the coach when we bought it in 2013. O'Reilly's said they were still good, but since we were sitting still at the time it made sense to me to change them at my convenience. We replaced the house batteries when we bought the coach, and I replaced them in September. Again, they seemed okay, but it was convenient to change them then so we did.

Fifty years ago cars had one belt for the fan, another for the alternator, another for the power steering, and another for the air conditioner. Those belts didn't last all that long, and invariably it was the one in back that would break. I always told the mechanics that any belts that were removed were to be replaced with new ones. Since the cost of the labor was built into the cost of replacing the broken belt, the only additional cost was the price of the new belts. Friends heard about my practice and some followed suit.

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Michelle –
I'm trying to recall at what point we replaced our airbags, but it was preventative rather than required.  We did base it off seeing a couple of 2003's have a failure on the road (the forum is great for that - watch what others with your year coach have had to do).

While ours looked OK, one tag bag turned out to have been leaking pretty badly.  We were surprised that the ride improved as a result.
Coach history airbags:  4/23/14, front and tag and 6/25/15 drive axle.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #12 –
Fuel line are due IMO also

Re: Proactive maintenance - for example - airbags....

Reply #13 –
Quote from: dsd –
Fuel line are due IMO also

On a 2001 and earlier, definitely.  But I've never seen an instance of a 2002 and newer having fuel line cracks reported on the forum.  Possibly a different material or composition/fabrication?
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