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slarsen's avatar
slarsen
Explorer
May 10, 2014

Leaking Air Bags?

Possibly useful information regarding leaky air bags:

I have Firestone air bags. They wouldn't hold air for more than about 3 days. This went on for quite some months, and was a real nuisance.

About two months ago, I squirted some green Slime (tire sealer) into the tubes feeding the air bags I squirted it just upstream from where the bags are, about three/four feet, where the tubes join into a single fill tube. I had to inflate them about two more times, after which . . . I've gone two months now with no noticeable drop in air pressure. I keep them around 20 psi for day to day use. And there it has stayed. Before treatment, it would drop to zero in, like I said, about three days.

Just for whatever it's worth.

8 Replies

  • I pulled the hoses out of a T fitting, and one by one, I attached a fitting for putting air into the system. I had a spare, since I combined them into a single feed. Then I reattached the lines to the T. It could be introduced at the fitting that is presumably mounted in the bumper, but I wanted it inserted closer to the bags. I was able to verify the leak(s) weren't anywhere else along the way, so either the bags or the fittings at the bags.

    Since this is intended for inserting directly into a tire, the bottle easily connects at a filler point. You just remove the valve core temporarily.
  • Leaks on mine: would have to remove the bags completely to check the bags OR the fittings. The brackets completely cover the fittings. Can't even see them. A huge hassle. But the 'slime' was a 15-minute fix. No contest, if you ask me. The leak may well have been at the fittings, I don't know.
  • slarsen wrote:
    Possibly useful information regarding leaky air bags:

    I have Firestone air bags. They wouldn't hold air for more than about 3 days. This went on for quite some months, and was a real nuisance.

    About two months ago, I squirted some green Slime (tire sealer) into the tubes feeding the air bags I squirted it just upstream from where the bags are, about three/four feet, where the tubes join into a single fill tube. I had to inflate them about two more times, after which . . . I've gone two months now with no noticeable drop in air pressure. I keep them around 20 psi for day to day use. And there it has stayed. Before treatment, it would drop to zero in, like I said, about three days.

    Just for whatever it's worth.


    Interesting. I have the Ride Rites and noticed the same issue. Been under the truck countless times with the soap solution checking lines, fittings, and the like. Maybe I should spray the springs themselves? :h
  • I have air lift brand and just warranted them. I sent in the old ones they inspected to make sure they werent damaged by anything other than just a normal leak and they sent me 2 new bags. These were 10 year old air bags.
  • when I tried to get the lifetime warranty they asked for the original receipt! Figures like you will keep such things forever. anyhow went and got a set off craigslist, turned out had a melted line from the exhaust.
  • It seems I remember the Firestone airbags have a lifetime free replacement warranty