Air Springs/Bags

[one_dusty_hoot]

While doing some other checks last night I
looked closely at my air springs. There is
no checking and the rubber appears to be in
good condition. This is a 20 year old rubber
bag!!!

Seems like the air springs came out in late 80's
or so. These air springs would be approximately
7 years older than mine but I do not hear of any
high incidence of failure reported, one or two
sure, but not many.

Is there a useful life on these? Or, time when
they should be replaced, age or miles?
TIA
bob janes, 87FC35, SC

[Scott Forman]

On my 82 FC (sold last month), 6 of the 8 air bags appeared to be
originals and were working fine.

One of the two I did replace was the closest to the exhaust pipe in
the left front, the heat probably helped it degrade faster. Al in
all, I think this is a pretty reliable part.

Scott Forman
86 PT38



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
wrote:
>
> While doing some other checks last night I
> looked closely at my air springs. There is
> no checking and the rubber appears to be in
> good condition. This is a 20 year old rubber
> bag!!!
>
> Seems like the air springs came out in late 80's
> or so. These air springs would be approximately
> 7 years older than mine but I do not hear of any
> high incidence of failure reported, one or two
> sure, but not many.
>
> Is there a useful life on these? Or, time when
> they should be replaced, age or miles?
> TIA
> bob janes, 87FC35, SC
>

[Robert Britton]

I know some folks have spare air bags that they keep in their coach
while traveling, if one blows, they can do the repair when they find
a safe place to do so, or they can have a shop do the repairs (they
have the parts so just labor to replace).

I think that 20 years of sevice out of air bags is long enough for
me. I'm going to replace all of mine on my 87FC along with new Koni
shocks, just preventive maintenance type of thing and peace of mind.

Robert Britton
87FC
Hollister, California

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
wrote:
>
> While doing some other checks last night I
> looked closely at my air springs. There is
> no checking and the rubber appears to be in
> good condition. This is a 20 year old rubber
> bag!!!
>
> Seems like the air springs came out in late 80's
> or so. These air springs would be approximately
> 7 years older than mine but I do not hear of any
> high incidence of failure reported, one or two
> sure, but not many.
>
> Is there a useful life on these? Or, time when
> they should be replaced, age or miles?
> TIA
> bob janes, 87FC35, SC
>

[jim riordan]

Bob,
I replaced all of mine (had it done). Goodyear also makes one that fit. I got
prices for them on the internet (keep the shop honest) I found a truck place
near me that did the job for a reasonable price. I had a hole in one the others
had some dry rot on the outside. But I am with you Peace of mind is important!

Jim Riordan
88 WBWL XXV
Stuart, Fl

Robert Britton wrote:
I know some folks have spare air bags that they keep in their coach
while traveling, if one blows, they can do the repair when they find
a safe place to do so, or they can have a shop do the repairs (they
have the parts so just labor to replace).

I think that 20 years of sevice out of air bags is long enough for
me. I'm going to replace all of mine on my 87FC along with new Koni
shocks, just preventive maintenance type of thing and peace of mind.

Robert Britton
87FC
Hollister, California

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
wrote:
>
> While doing some other checks last night I
> looked closely at my air springs. There is
> no checking and the rubber appears to be in
> good condition. This is a 20 year old rubber
> bag!!!
>
> Seems like the air springs came out in late 80's
> or so. These air springs would be approximately
> 7 years older than mine but I do not hear of any
> high incidence of failure reported, one or two
> sure, but not many.
>
> Is there a useful life on these? Or, time when
> they should be replaced, age or miles?
> TIA
> bob janes, 87FC35, SC
>






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[Dan]

Jim,
How about sharing with us what is a reasonable price to replace the air bags.
parts and labor. Thanks
Dan
88pt38
Jackson, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: jim riordan
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Air Springs/Bags


Bob,
I replaced all of mine (had it done). Goodyear also makes one that fit. I got
prices for them on the internet (keep the shop honest) I found a truck place
near me that did the job for a reasonable price. I had a hole in one the others
had some dry rot on the outside. But I am with you Peace of mind is important!

Jim Riordan
88 WBWL XXV
Stuart, Fl

Robert Britton wrote:
I know some folks have spare air bags that they keep in their coach
while traveling, if one blows, they can do the repair when they find
a safe place to do so, or they can have a shop do the repairs (they
have the parts so just labor to replace).

I think that 20 years of sevice out of air bags is long enough for
me. I'm going to replace all of mine on my 87FC along with new Koni
shocks, just preventive maintenance type of thing and peace of mind.

Robert Britton
87FC
Hollister, California

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
wrote:
>
> While doing some other checks last night I
> looked closely at my air springs. There is
> no checking and the rubber appears to be in
> good condition. This is a 20 year old rubber
> bag!!!
>
> Seems like the air springs came out in late 80's
> or so. These air springs would be approximately
> 7 years older than mine but I do not hear of any
> high incidence of failure reported, one or two
> sure, but not many.
>
> Is there a useful life on these? Or, time when
> they should be replaced, age or miles?
> TIA
> bob janes, 87FC35, SC
>

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PM


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Robert Britton]

Best price on air bags that I found was at truckspring.com

Front bags $123 each
Rear bags $113 each

robertsmotorcompany.com in Grants Pass Or. will let me bring my owne
parts and install them. $80 per hour...8 to 10 hour job to do all
eight air bags. This shop mostly works on big rigs but said they
would do air bags on my coach.

Robert Britton
87FC
Hollister, California







--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan" wrote:
>
> Jim,
> How about sharing with us what is a reasonable price to replace the
air bags. parts and labor. Thanks
> Dan
> 88pt38
> Jackson, MS
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: jim riordan
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 9:49 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Air Springs/Bags
>
>
> Bob,
> I replaced all of mine (had it done). Goodyear also makes one
that fit. I got prices for them on the internet (keep the shop
honest) I found a truck place near me that did the job for a
reasonable price. I had a hole in one the others had some dry rot on
the outside. But I am with you Peace of mind is important!
>
> Jim Riordan
> 88 WBWL XXV
> Stuart, Fl
>
> Robert Britton wrote:
> I know some folks have spare air bags that they keep in their
coach
> while traveling, if one blows, they can do the repair when they
find
> a safe place to do so, or they can have a shop do the repairs
(they
> have the parts so just labor to replace).
>
> I think that 20 years of sevice out of air bags is long enough
for
> me. I'm going to replace all of mine on my 87FC along with new
Koni
> shocks, just preventive maintenance type of thing and peace of
mind.
>
> Robert Britton
> 87FC
> Hollister, California
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
> wrote:
> >
> > While doing some other checks last night I
> > looked closely at my air springs. There is
> > no checking and the rubber appears to be in
> > good condition. This is a 20 year old rubber
> > bag!!!
> >
> > Seems like the air springs came out in late 80's
> > or so. These air springs would be approximately
> > 7 years older than mine but I do not hear of any
> > high incidence of failure reported, one or two
> > sure, but not many.
> >
> > Is there a useful life on these? Or, time when
> > they should be replaced, age or miles?
> > TIA
> > bob janes, 87FC35, SC
> >
>
> ---------------------------------
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> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/838 - Release Date:
6/7/2007 2:21 PM
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[jim riordan]

Dan,

Reasonable is subjective! I'll get the bills out and send you an email.

Jim Riordan
88 WBWL XXV
Stuart, Fl.

Dan wrote:
Jim,
How about sharing with us what is a reasonable price to replace the air bags.
parts and labor. Thanks
Dan
88pt38
Jackson, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: jim riordan
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Air Springs/Bags

Bob,
I replaced all of mine (had it done). Goodyear also makes one that fit. I got
prices for them on the internet (keep the shop honest) I found a truck place
near me that did the job for a reasonable price. I had a hole in one the others
had some dry rot on the outside. But I am with you Peace of mind is important!

Jim Riordan
88 WBWL XXV
Stuart, Fl

Robert Britton wrote:
I know some folks have spare air bags that they keep in their coach
while traveling, if one blows, they can do the repair when they find
a safe place to do so, or they can have a shop do the repairs (they
have the parts so just labor to replace).

I think that 20 years of sevice out of air bags is long enough for
me. I'm going to replace all of mine on my 87FC along with new Koni
shocks, just preventive maintenance type of thing and peace of mind.

Robert Britton
87FC
Hollister, California

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
wrote:
>
> While doing some other checks last night I
> looked closely at my air springs. There is
> no checking and the rubber appears to be in
> good condition. This is a 20 year old rubber
> bag!!!
>
> Seems like the air springs came out in late 80's
> or so. These air springs would be approximately
> 7 years older than mine but I do not hear of any
> high incidence of failure reported, one or two
> sure, but not many.
>
> Is there a useful life on these? Or, time when
> they should be replaced, age or miles?
> TIA
> bob janes, 87FC35, SC
>

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Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/838 - Release Date: 6/7/2007 2:21 PM

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[Eric Johnson]

Hello Bob,
I was told by BB factory that you can run the air bags safely until you start to
see the fabric
layer below the rubber exterior layer due to cracking. I've not gone that far
with them but
just passing that on for info. I did replace the bags up at the front because
they are
exposed to more heat from the engine and exhaust manifold and will deteriorate
faster
than the rear bags. This also is info from BB. I'm still running the original
bags in the rear
and they still look fine.

I did this job myself and can tell you that it's not a "side of the road"
repair. The bags are
mounted with self locking nuts on very long studs that are accessed between the
main
frame members. It is slow going and very dirty. In addition, you have to
disassemble part
of the exhaust system to get the drivers side bag out.

Got the 4 bags from BB but don't remember what they cost me.

Regards, Eric in San Antonio
84FCSBWL2

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot" wrote:
>
> While doing some other checks last night I
> looked closely at my air springs. There is
> no checking and the rubber appears to be in
> good condition. This is a 20 year old rubber
> bag!!!
>
> Seems like the air springs came out in late 80's
> or so. These air springs would be approximately
> 7 years older than mine but I do not hear of any
> high incidence of failure reported, one or two
> sure, but not many.
>
> Is there a useful life on these? Or, time when
> they should be replaced, age or miles?
> TIA
> bob janes, 87FC35, SC
>