michahicks
Waterford/Gaylord, Mi
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harold1946 wrote:joe0508 wrote:Just out of curiosity i ask the shop to take all the air out of the airbags and check the ride heights.I was stumped when they came back with the results.The ride height was the same with no air as they were with 80psi 2 1/8.I thought the bags were their to keep the ride height up.Does the bags have other functions besides controlling ride height.
Good question. Thats what very few seem to understand. The air bags are there to assist, not carry the main load. As you have found, more pressure will give a firmer ride. Some like a soft more floating ride so they run at lower pressures, while others feel like the coach tends to wander at lower pressores. Thats the main advantage to an air assisted suspension. Fully adjustable to suit the driver.
One of the reasons the air bage are blamed for suspension issues is that the pressure is not monitored and maintained. They eventualy deflate so that the springs are the only support and they too eventualy fail.
Too many believe they will help with ride height. They don't, as Joe has just figured out. That's one of, if not the biggest, problem associated with using them. Huge amount of mis information being handed out here.
Also, too often people are told that if the bags are inflated while the suspension is completely extended, that they will stand up a little taller. This is even stated as a "tip" in the manual! While it may seem true if you try it, you soon figure out it has settled right to where it was before you went to the time and trouble to extend the suspension/inflate after just driving it around the block.
Both are lessons learned prior to just swapping out the springs for heavier and ridding myself of the problem for good. FWIW
1997 38' HR Endeavor, 275 Cat, Freightliner
2003 CR-V Toad, Blue Ox, Ready Brake
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joe0508
charlotte
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When i first started trying to get the ride height back to spec one side was lower than the other.I thought one of the springs had bit the dust.The tech noticed that the strut had kicked out of the top houseing.After realigning the strut and locking it in.Raised the coach and inflated the bags,Lowered the coach and adjusted the pressure.The ride height was than 2 1/8 on both sides.I was good to go align it.Although it took two more alignments after that to get it right.So my springs are good.
joe money
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joe0508
charlotte
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I see it this way,As long as changing the pressure doesnt change the ride in turn doesnt change alignment but will adjust comfort.That is a big plus.
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Weathertodd221
FL
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Joined: 12/03/2009
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joe0508 wrote:Just out of curiosity i ask the shop to take all the air out of the airbags and check the ride heights.I was stumped when they came back with the results.The ride height was the same with no air as they were with 80psi 2 1/8.I thought the bags were their to keep the ride height up.Does the bags have other functions besides controlling ride height.
where are they measuring from? Those springs dont raise and lower the coach like conventional airbags. They just add support to the existing spring. A primative preload adjuster if you will.
Only way to get springs at max ride height is to jack the front end up, then inflate the bags.
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joe0508
charlotte
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That was my confusion with the airbag pressure.I thought they were there to get more ride height.I could not been more wrong.They are their for support and ride comfort.They check frome the stops to the striker plate.They have been two different ways of checking them and both were with in spec.
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harold1946
Surprise Arizona
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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joe0508 wrote:That was my confusion with the airbag pressure.I thought they were there to get more ride height.I could not been more wrong.They are their for support and ride comfort.They check frome the stops to the striker plate.They have been two different ways of checking them and both were with in spec.
Just a reminder Joe; you can adjust pressures anywhere from #50 - #100, just keep them equal. Monitor just as you would tires. Your good to go. 
Harold and Linda
2009 CT Coachworks siena 35V
W-22 Workhorse 8.1L
Explorer toad
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chuckfp
San Bernardino CA
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I had trouble with my front airbags too and finally had the SuperSteer front springs installed by a well known and highly regarded shop. I was very pleased with results - but only two years later the Supersteer springs are sacked out almost as bad as the O.E. springs. Yes, the shop weighed the rig prior to insallation and no, I do not overload although I am at the max of my 18K load limit per certified axle scales. So back to square one again only $1500 poorer for it.
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RLS7201
Some Where
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joe0508 wrote:Ok,That answers my question.Ride height dont change=alignment dont change.Thank you.
So...........If the ride height don't change and the alignment don't change with air pressure change. Why are the air bags there? And why did Chevy recommend different air pressures for different front end weights?
Richard
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cwit
Upstate New York
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Richard you answered your own question. The bags are there for different weight front ends.I worked on this suspension for 20 years on school buses 16 and 20 passenger GM had it.We kept a bus for 10 years and I think I may of changed one bag in 20 years.
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RLS7201
Some Where
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cwit wrote:Richard you answered your own question. The bags are there for different weight front ends.I worked on this suspension for 20 years on school buses 16 and 20 passenger GM had it.We kept a bus for 10 years and I think I may of changed one bag in 20 years.
So...You're saying the front end would sag with low or no air pressure in the bags?
Richard
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