Air bag tools by DSD

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Air bag tools by DSD

August 10, 2025, 10:04:52 am

I am about to spend the next month or so doing many things to our coach. One of them is going to be the air bags/shocks. I am searching for the tools that Scott Davidson/ DSD custom made and I think maybe sold to Elliot? Wanting to rent or buy if the owner is willing to do so. Whomever is in possession of them, and willing to assist in this matter, please get with me.

If rent, for the sake of shipping weight, I dont really need the extensions, pull handle or tap as I have plenty of those.
Thanks,
Mike

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #1 – August 10, 2025, 10:35:36 am

Elliot only got the modified tools. I should have hung on to them, they would already be in your possession. The locking extensions are really a plus because you can hang the entire mess off the top wrench. The breaker bar worked way better than a ratchet. And there is no reason for friction lock nuts that were used. Cutting the threads straight is fine. They are not subject to rotation and won't come loose. The length of the 3/4 gearwrench was shortened to the same length as the large one. Center to center. If I needed to do a set of bags I without question would remake the tool kit.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #2 – August 10, 2025, 11:07:24 am

Quote from: dsd – August 10, 2025, 10:35:36 am

Elliot only got the modified tools. I should have hung on to them, they would already be in your possession. The locking extensions are really a plus because you can hang the entire mess off the top wrench. The breaker bar worked way better than a ratchet. And there is no reason for friction lock nuts that were used. Cutting the threads straight is fine. They are not subject to rotation and won't come loose. The length of the 3/4 gearwrench was shortened to the same length as the large one. Center to center. If I needed to do a set of bags I without question would remake the tool kit.

Hopefully Elliot or whomever may now have them will come forward and allow me to rent/borrow/buy so I don't have to make a set for myself. Obviously you and others have proven this is worth the effort to have these vs going at it without.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #3 – August 10, 2025, 06:02:14 pm

I will take a look and see if I still have them. I might have given them to someone else after I sold my u320 but can't remember if I'm being honest

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #4 – August 10, 2025, 06:34:17 pm

Quote from: Elliott – August 10, 2025, 06:02:14 pm

I will take a look and see if I still have them. I might have given them to someone else after I sold my u320 but can't remember if I'm being honest

Memory jog if it helps Replacing air bags

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #5 – August 10, 2025, 08:17:20 pm

Did the bags on my 36ft 2001 U320..... didn't have to make any "special" tools.... but did buy a 90degree impact from HF, to do the shocks, which need to be removed/replaced for easier access to the airbags.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #6 – August 10, 2025, 11:17:06 pm

Quote from: Elliott – August 10, 2025, 06:02:14 pm

I will take a look and see if I still have them. I might have given them to someone else after I sold my u320 but can't remember if I'm being honest

Thanks for at least looking. Let me know

Quote from: James Bock – August 10, 2025, 08:17:20 pm

Did the bags on my 36ft 2001 U320..... didn't have to make any "special" tools.... but did buy a 90degree impact from HF, to do the shocks, which need to be removed/replaced for easier access to the airbags.

I'll be doing the shocks also.

Ive got more tools than several shops, BUT as Scott made these tools special for such a job, be nice to be able to use them if there around,.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #7 – August 11, 2025, 01:35:26 pm

Mike, If you don't get the tools and don't want to make a set, I did all eight bags and was fairly easy with standard tools if you remove the wheel skirts. The only tool I needed that I didn't have was an 1 1/8" ratchet end wrench. With the skirts off, you can access all 8 bags. Removing the skirts is pretty straight forward. Biggest issue is just carefully remove the aluminum strip as it bends easily.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #8 – August 11, 2025, 01:38:23 pm

Air Bag Replacement

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #9 – August 11, 2025, 01:48:01 pm

Hum, with those tools you dont need to remove shocks or the skirts. I'm just lazy I guess.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #10 – August 11, 2025, 01:58:39 pm

Your probably right Scott that it's easier with the tool set. I was in a bind and couldn't wait for the tools, therefore went the skirt route. But it wasn't that bad of a job, but I didn't have anything to compare it to. Either way, was just happy to get em done.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #11 – August 11, 2025, 06:22:47 pm

Sorry guys, no luck. I must've handed them off to a different member. I will try to scroll back through my emails and for messages to figure out who it was.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #12 – August 11, 2025, 06:25:39 pm

Quote from: Elliott – August 11, 2025, 06:22:47 pm

Sorry guys, no luck. I must've handed them off to a different member. I will try to scroll back through my emails and for messages to figure out who it was.

I thought I had first chance to buy them back if you ever sold them

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #13 – August 11, 2025, 11:01:59 pm

Thanks for all the input and feedback guys. Yes had given thought to the skirt approach as well, and may still go that route.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #14 – August 11, 2025, 11:32:13 pm

Just save the passenger front for last, you will be smarter by the time you get to it.
Tom

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #15 – August 12, 2025, 08:20:26 pm

Quote from: T and M Long – August 11, 2025, 11:32:13 pm

Just save the passenger front for last, you will be smarter by the time you get to it.
Tom

That's actually pretty good advice. I agree

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #16 – August 13, 2025, 11:17:12 am

I see some suggest replacing the nuts. Anyone know the exact sizes I need to order?
1 1/8 ratchet wrench also seems to come recommended. I only have up to 1" so need to get one of those from HF or similar.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #17 – August 13, 2025, 11:25:16 am

If you have a 1/2" drive 1 1/8" socket and a long flexible 1/2" drive ratchet it will work, at least it did for me.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #18 – August 13, 2025, 01:36:18 pm

I did my bags and don't remember needing any special tools. But I do have a very large selection of unique tools to choose from (swivels, gear wrench, adapters, crowsfoot, etc).

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #19 – August 13, 2025, 04:04:10 pm

Mike, I don't remember the 1 1/8" nut size, but as Scott stated earlier, there is really no need for lock nuts on those. I picked up the nuts at NAPA. the bottom nuts I believe were standard thread 1/2"> just used a nut and lock washer on those.
If you do go the ratcheting end wrench route, get a fine tooth ratchet, it'll make it much easier.

Also, when removing the old bags, (but only if you don't plan on saving them)you can loosen the big nut a few turns, then get under the nut with a sawzall and zip em right off. It saves a lot of time trying to get the big lock nuts off.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #20 – August 13, 2025, 08:28:06 pm

Quote from: craneman – August 13, 2025, 11:25:16 am

If you have a 1/2" drive 1 1/8" socket and a long flexible 1/2" drive ratchet it will work, at least it did for me.

Yeah I have all that, but a few have mentioned using a ratchet box wrench, I guess on the top nuts. That I don't have.

Quote from: MarkC – August 13, 2025, 04:04:10 pm

Mike, I don't remember the 1 1/8" nut size, but as Scott stated earlier, there is really no need for lock nuts on those. I picked up the nuts at NAPA. the bottom nuts I believe were standard thread 1/2"> just used a nut and lock washer on those.
If you do go the ratcheting end wrench route, get a fine tooth ratchet, it'll make it much easier.

Also, when removing the old bags, (but only if you don't plan on saving them)you can loosen the big nut a few turns, then get under the nut with a sawzall and zip em right off. It saves a lot of time trying to get the big lock nuts off.

Yes I read DSD post on the useless locknuts, was just planning to replace all of them. My OE bags still look quite good, but replacing due to age. I dont see where many care to have any used ones, so other than keeping maybe 1 of them as an emergency spare, might just cut them out as you mention. I'll open one up next day or two and just go to Tractor supply and buy up a bunch of whatever fits top and bottom.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #21 – August 13, 2025, 08:50:36 pm

When I did mine I had to make a special to remove the air elbow but the tools Scott made would make
the job easier.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #22 – August 15, 2025, 08:26:22 pm

Quote from: MarkC – August 13, 2025, 04:04:10 pm

lso, when removing the old bags, (but only if you don't plan on saving them)you can loosen the big nut a few turns, then get under the nut with a sawzall and zip em right off. It saves a lot of time trying to get the big lock nuts off.

Another technique may be to hit the nylock with a propane torch to melt the lock-nut material. Obviously, be careful.

With that said, I don't remember the locknuts being that difficult to remove or install.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #23 – August 15, 2025, 09:27:45 pm

I was looking at the air bag yesterday and I thought that when first welding in the air bag platforms
why the weren't put in with the air lines facing the axels then there would only have one nut hard to
get at.

Re: Air bag tools by DSD

Reply #24 – August 16, 2025, 07:22:47 pm

That was done to protect the air line from damage from something thrown up by the tires.

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