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DonBaja's avatar
DonBaja
Explorer
Mar 26, 2013

How do Airbags Fail?

My 1995 Monaco Dynasty 36' has the Roadmaster 8 bag chassis. The bags look pretty good for being 18 years old. The coach has always been stored inside on concrete. Do these bags start going bad with a slow leak that would first show up as a lean to one side in the garage or do they fail catastrophically? Assuming the 8 bag configuration, would any 1 airbag failure, worse than a slow leak, require an immediate tow? Is there any rule of thumb for airbag replacement based on age alone like we have for tires. My bags are Goodyear double-convolute. I was greasing the chassis today and looking around and I know I need to replace my Bilsteins. It looked like it would be easier for a repair facility to do both replacements (bags and shocks)at the same time if the bags were to be replaced based on age alone. Thanks in advance for your insights.
Class A
  • wny_pat1's avatar
    wny_pat1
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    DonBaja wrote:
    Do these bags start going bad with a slow leak that would first show up as a lean to one side in the garage or do they fail catastrophically?
    Both! But more than likly will start leaking first.
    DonBaja wrote:
    Assuming the 8 bag configuration, would any 1 airbag failure, worse than a slow leak, require an immediate tow?
    could, but can be fixed on the side of the road
    DonBaja wrote:
    Is there any rule of thumb for airbag replacement based on age alone like we have for tires..
    They are part of your pre-trip inspection - "Air ride suspension should be checked for damage and leaks."
    Your are of the age where I would go over the with a fine tooth magnifying glass.
  • fighterpilota's avatar
    fighterpilota
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2013
    Update on my bag replacement. 1997 Monaco Dynasty front air bags. In earlier post noted they were rotten and one had failed. Found a cross over airbag and did the job ourselves. Original were Firestone w01 358 5319. None available-had to be made by Firestone. Only used on Monaco in just a few years. Cross over air bag also firestone, w01 358 5311 will work. You can bring up the drawings for comparison on Michigan Truck Spring web site. PM me if you need detailed playback of our effort. Thanks
  • Lt46's avatar
    Lt46
    Explorer II
    Mar 26, 2013
    A couple of months ago one of my tag axle bags was found to have ruptured. I noticed a lean to one side and found the bag to be torn open at its fold point. This was while in storage so no experience with a blowout. I took a hard look at all 4 bags, 2 tag axle and 2 main bags and for OEM 1997 they look like they need replacing. All have cracks, some worse looking than others and at the fold over points, very worn looking. I've replaced the tag axle bags already but the main bags will have to be done at a shop due the rear dullies need ing to come off for access.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Mar 26, 2013
    Like most rubber items, constant use is better for long life and to maintain flexibility, than months of sitting in a fixed position on an unused RV, even if stored inside.
  • fighterpilota's avatar
    fighterpilota
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2013
    Don, what makes you think might need to replace the shocks. Doing them at the same time as the bags is a thought, but our coach seems to ride and handle good. Just bought it and only have 600 miles of experience for reference point so looking for clues as to determining condition of the shocks. Thanks
  • fighterpilota's avatar
    fighterpilota
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2013
    My front ones on a 1997 dynasty, just rotted away. All the rubber rotted loose and came off the liner. Just last week one of them sprung a leak. After we started the motor home we heard air leaking by the bag on entry door side. Pretty good stream, but you could reach in and put your finger on it and it quieted down so pressure wasn't great. Not sure when it failed. Day before we had driven it 600 miles and didn't notice it. Getting the air bags for this one is another problem, but I am going to replace all the front ones. Back ones are larger and seem to be in better conditon. Going to identify them and see what the availability is. I have been told the compressor can keep up so you can drive it. I'll let you know when I crank it up to take to the shop. Got to get the air bags first and than an appointment.
  • dougmac's avatar
    dougmac
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2013
    I have seen them fail by developing a leak and I have also seen them blow out. Most of the time they will develop a slower leak.

    In our fleet of transit buses, we don't change them as a scheduled maintenance item. We rely on inspecting them at regular intervals. Some checking of the rubber is normal. Serious cracking around the bottom where it folds around can indicate the start of a problem.

    We really don't change that many. In a motor home application I don't think that it would be unusual for them to last the life of coach.
  • old_guy's avatar
    old_guy
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2013
    I may be wrong but they might crack like tires over a period of time.

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