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Air Bags

On my '96 U-320 the air bags are "crumbling" around the bottoms.  When I rub around them I get small particles of rubber that fall from the bag. Any ideas?


                                              '96  U-320 2000 Saturn LS-1
Gervin C. Friedrich
1996 U320

Re: Air Bags

Reply #1 –
A couple of the bags on our 1997 were showing some hard, crumbly patches. I requested a specific inspection of the air bags at MOT. David Whitehead said that some deterioration is not a problem.

Based on my inference from his assessment, I don't plan to be concerned until I see wear on the cords under the first layer of rubber.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Air Bags

Reply #2 –
After 18 years of service I replaced my "air springs" (the preferred term used by the industry) last summer.  Just like J.D. says replace them when you start to see plys.  I took mine a little beyond that unintentionally due the worst section being tucked behind where it's hard to see.  Best price I found was at local truck parts house (due mostly to no shipping cost) at around $160/ea
Firestone does sell kits for some air springs that contain only the upper bead plate and rubber - but not for our model air spring.
I did the labor myself:  not difficult but I did remove the fenders.  The bolt on the most inboard (closest to the bays) position is hard to get at without taking the fenders off.  While the fenders were off I did some clean up and rust mitigation on the steel "L" that joins the wall and floor.

Here's what I have in my notes:
Firestone "assembly order number": W01-358-9448,  bellow #: 1T15L-2,  lists "Foretravel" in "replaces" column of Firestone catalog, pg. 17
-John Fitzgerald 1991 40' U300 SAI
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Air Bags

Reply #3 –
Thinking about it again my coach is only 8ft wide (last year before they went to 8-1/2) so you might not need to pull the fenders like I did - that extra 3" might be enough to reach in there with a wrench.  In 1992 the coach body (and fenders) went to 8-1/2' wide but the axles (and air springs) stayed at 8'.
- John Fitzgerald 1991 40' U300 SAI
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Air Bags

Reply #4 –
Quote
I did the labor myself:  not difficult but I did remove the fenders.  The bolt on the most inboard (closest to the bays) position is hard to get at without taking the fenders off.  While the fenders were off I did some clean up and rust mitigation on the steel "L" that joins the wall and floor.

Jon Twork replaced his bags some time ago and gave some excellent instructions:
http://beamalarm.com/Documents/air_bags.htm
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Air Bags

Reply #5 –
It is time for replacement.

I just replaced all eight of mine last January or February.

Did it in a parking lot as one of them had developed a leak.

You'll find out about your leak when the coach air compressor can not keep the coach level.

I would replace them soon at YOUR convenience and not later when it might be a PITA.

Check the archives for my details on the subject.
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my remaining obligations.
Welcome to WeRV2 (Under Construction)
Find Jon: Via Satellite Tracker Datastorm Users
The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others.

Re: Air Bags

Reply #6 –
Don't touch the bottom part and you won't loosen the rubber particles.  This is normal and it comes from the air bags bouncing around with all the weight of the coach on the curved steel bottom mount.  Bags are thick and have lots of wear left.  Watch for stone damage and inner cords showing.  I am not a believer in shinning bags with petroleum products that are popular for tires.  I also don't think these protectant products are good for tires either.  Cindy uses Forever Black tire dye

(http://www.foreverblack.com/products.html ) on our tires and air springs

(bags).

Re: Air Bags

Reply #7 –
Gervin,

The only thing I would add to John Fitzgerald's post is to check the forward

(front bag in each wheelwell) airbags closely.  Apparently they receive the brunt of the punishment.  My '92 U-289 was finished in November of '91, so the airbargs were 19 years old when I replaced them in April of this year.

The rubber on all the bags was rubbing off easily, but only the forward bags showed exposed cords (an inch below the top plate) on the street side

(generator is on that side in the '92 Grandvilla).

As was the case with John's coach, the worse damage wasn't revealed until the airbags were removed: an inch long gash in one of the front bags was on the inside of the coach.  The gash had just touched the plies, but not severed them.

I cut through one of the old bags and found that the rubber on the inside looked good with no weathering, but did exhibit "fatigue creases" at the point of greatest curvature at the top and to a lesser extent, at the bottom.

Based upon what I saw on my bags, I would think you may have 3-4 more years before replacing yours, as long as you find no gashes in the bags.

Don Hay

'92 U-280, The Hayfever Express
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.