Front Air Bag Replacement - Chevy P30 Chassis

turbojimmy wrote:

Gjac wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
P-30 chassis with the front air bags in the coil springs. THIS IS NOT A RIDE HEIGHT BAG. IT IS A BAG REQUIRED FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE CHASSIS FRONT SUSPENSION. THE BAGS ARE REQUIRED TO BE INSTALLED AND AIRED TO AT LEAST 75 PSI TO GET THE FRONT END TO THE SPEC WEIGHT RATING and alignment and driveability. . Now, if the aftermarket Henderson kits address the increasing of the front end weight rating, then install that type kit. Doug

Doug if the A arm is resting on the stops with the bags fully inflated it will make for a rough ride. Mine had 1/4 in clearance and my friends P30 was resting on the stops at 90 psi, both were fixed with the Henderson SS. You need clearance for the spring to compress to absorb the bumps.

I know you were talking to Doug, but this is good to know. With no air in the bags I have plenty of clearance to the stoppers.

Jim, Then you are good. What does the clearance measure? What is your front axle spec weight? If you have at least an inch, inch and a half clearance, when you inflate the bags you will pick up even more. If you raise the jacks then inflate the bags and then lower the jacks, this will give you more ride height over just inflating the bags with the weight on them. The new bags are easy to install as I remember, I sucked all the air out lubed the bag and installed it through the jacked up coil spring opening. I would inflate it to the lowest inflation that will give you about 1 3/4 ins. I say this because the springs will get weak over time and the ride height will diminish affecting the front end alignment. As they get weaker you can always raise the ride height by adding pressure keeping the same ride height.