harold1946
Surprise Arizona
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joe0508 wrote:I had an alignment today and didnt realize untill the alignment was done that i have a leak in my coil spring airbags.When i took it to the shop i thought i had 80psi in both bags with 2 1/8 ride height same side to side.When i paid my bill i asked the shop how did the measurements turn out on my ride heights.They said the ride heights were good and same side to side but the air pressure in the bags were different side to side.They said one had 55psi and the other 45 psi.They thought it was a weak spring issue and i had it that way on purpose.Prior to this i had 80 psi same side to side with same ride height side to side.My question is if i fix the leak and reset the air pressure same side to side and it doesnt change the ride height it shouldnt change the alignment any.would this be correct?
Not to worry. You do not have to get another alignment. Locate and fix the leak and restore the air pressure.
I do not know where the idea came from that the air bag assisted suspension was an afterthought, but it is incorrect.
Air bag suspensions have been around since 1920 and are still in use today. They were in use on the P series chassis through 2005 when the P series was discontinued, which had nothing to do with the suspension.
You can experiment with different presures anywhere from #50 to #100, just keep it equal in both sides.
I believe you stated in an earlier post that the front of your coach weighed 4200 lbs. I would suggest you start at a higher pressure, say #75, and test drive. Much easier to adjust the pressures down, until you find the "sweet spot" that is to your liking.
Anyone interested in doing so can check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/airbag_suspension
Or just do a search for "earliest air suspension"
* This post was
edited 02/08/12 08:18am by harold1946 *
Harold and Linda
2009 CT Coachworks siena 35V
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joe0508
charlotte
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I had it at 80psi before the alignment.I liked the feel better their.I think I will reset at that pressure.thanks
joe money
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Weathertodd221
FL
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Bags inside springs wont raise the spring height. Youll need to jack the rig and unweight the front springs, then inflate the airbags to get max ride height.
If the bags leak...eventually the springs will settle and fatigue.
Ive seen this with fatigued springs and the only solution is to replace them.
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Weathertodd221
FL
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harold1946 wrote:
Not to worry. You do not have to get another alignment. Locate and fix the leak and restore the air pressure.
I do not know where the idea came from that the air bag assisted suspension was an afterthought, but it is incorrect.
Air bag suspensions have been around since 1920 and are still in use today. They were in use on the P series chassis through 2005 when the P series was discontinued, which had nothing to do with the suspension.
You can experiment with different presures anywhere from #50 to #100, just keep it equal in both sides.
I believe you stated in an earlier post that the front of your coach weighed 4200 lbs. I would suggest you start at a higher pressure, say #75, and test drive. Much easier to adjust the pressures down, until you find the "sweet spot" that is to your liking.
Anyone interested in doing so can check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/airbag_suspension
Or just do a search for "earliest air suspension"
harold... the airbags in the coil springs are a primative way to distribute load. Anyone with that type of suspension owes themselves a corner weighing to establish a usable pressure.
Really the ideal situation is replace the springs with the correct rated ones.
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harold1946
Surprise Arizona
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Weathertodd221 wrote:harold1946 wrote:
Not to worry. You do not have to get another alignment. Locate and fix the leak and restore the air pressure.
I do not know where the idea came from that the air bag assisted suspension was an afterthought, but it is incorrect.
Air bag suspensions have been around since 1920 and are still in use today. They were in use on the P series chassis through 2005 when the P series was discontinued, which had nothing to do with the suspension.
You can experiment with different presures anywhere from #50 to #100, just keep it equal in both sides.
I believe you stated in an earlier post that the front of your coach weighed 4200 lbs. I would suggest you start at a higher pressure, say #75, and test drive. Much easier to adjust the pressures down, until you find the "sweet spot" that is to your liking.
Anyone interested in doing so can check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/airbag_suspension
Or just do a search for "earliest air suspension"
harold... the airbags in the coil springs are a primative way to distribute load. Anyone with that type of suspension owes themselves a corner weighing to establish a usable pressure.
Really the ideal situation is replace the springs with the correct rated ones.
If it is indeed a primitive method, why is it being used on so many high end automobiles, large trucks and diesel pushers.
I would like to know how it would be possible to change load distribution simply by changing air pressure.
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Weathertodd221
FL
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harold1946 wrote:
If it is indeed a primitive method, why is it being used on so many high end automobiles, large trucks and diesel pushers.
I would like to know how it would be possible to change load distribution simply by changing air pressure.
Interesting... but I dont think we are talking about the same thing.
Im referring to coil springs with helper air bags. At least thats what I gathered from the OP's question.
Is this what you are referring too?
http://www.macsspring.com/arnottairsuspension.aspx
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joe0508
charlotte
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The last time i weighed the front weighed 4300lds.Henderson has spring for up to 4300 and than they have springs 4400-4900lds.Which one would be the better choice in my case.
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harold1946
Surprise Arizona
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joe0508 wrote:The last time i weighed the front weighed 4300lds.Henderson has spring for up to 4300 and than they have springs 4400-4900lds.Which one would be the better choice in my case.
If your springs and air bags are in good shape I do not see any reason for making the change.
What you have now is almost infinatly adjustable, springs are not. But if you feel the need to do so I would opt for the 4400-4900.
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joe0508
charlotte
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I believe what i will do is keep the setup i got now.Than when it comes to replacing the bags i will replace the springs and be done with it.I just got the bags so i will get as much use out of them untill they expire.In the future when it comes to replacing i will be looking to the 4400-4900 henderson springs.
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missscarlet9
Saskatchewan
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harold1946 wrote:joe0508 wrote:The last time i weighed the front weighed 4300lds.Henderson has spring for up to 4300 and than they have springs 4400-4900lds.Which one would be the better choice in my case.
If your springs and air bags are in good shape I do not see any reason for making the change.
What you have now is almost infinatly adjustable, springs are not. But if you feel the need to do so I would opt for the 4400-4900.
I agree, Harold1946. Unless an eagle s**ts a big pile of cash, why change out something that is working. Joe, nail down that leak and you should be good to go. I had air bags (bags inside the front coils) in a GM Winnie chassis and other than checking pressure whenever I checked tire pressures, they never gave me a problem.
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