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Gerald55's avatar
Gerald55
Explorer
Aug 22, 2015

Shop that can work on air shocks

OK, not strictly a tow vehicle question, since I'm driving a class B campervan at the moment - but this seems to be where the suspension people hang out...

My van has some firestone air bags, and one side leaks badly. A day after filling it up to 80 PSI it is down to 20. The other side holds pressure almost indefinitely.

Asked the Ford guys to take a look when I was doing my maintenance at the dealer, but basically they have no clue. Tried bringing it into a Firestone place - but I think it was news to them that Firestone made something that wasn't a tire!

Where can I bring this bad boy so that someone who actually knows about these things can take a look? I also have some very minor DYI skills so I can take a look at the easy things, but by "very minor" I really mean very minor.

TIA
Tow Vehicles
  • Perrysburg_Dodg's avatar
    Perrysburg_Dodg
    Explorer
    Aug 23, 2015
    dodge guy wrote:
    Depending on how old they are, they may have a lifetime warranty. My 15 year old Air Lift air bags were warrentied 2 years ago with no question.

    Spray them with a soap and water solution and you`ll probably see small air bubbles coming from the bag. if not check the fittings. I have a very small leak at a fitting on my setup. it leaks about 4 lbs in 4 days. hardly worth looking for.


    Yep this is what is recommended on their web site LINK CLICK HERE .

    Also you need to put a small chamfer on the OD of the tube before installing the tube into the quick disconnect. There is nothing wrong with using good quick disconnects but as tcp said the o-rings can be damaged if you do not chamfer the OD of the tube.

    Don
  • tcp's avatar
    tcp
    Explorer
    Aug 22, 2015
    I've always had problems with the "quick connect" fittings used by most airbag installers. If the hose isn't cut perfectly straight or has been crimped a bit it will damage the o-ring on the quick connect. There are better 1/4" airline fittings that are meant for permanent installation that work much better. Hunt around on McMaster Carr for better choices or try a dealer that does work on air brake systems.
  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    Aug 22, 2015
    our air bags on our Class A DP were changed by a heavy duty truck suspension shop in Tampa FL called Tampa Spring. Where are you located? For example: http://customsuspension.com/
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Aug 22, 2015
    Depending on how old they are, they may have a lifetime warranty. My 15 year old Air Lift air bags were warrentied 2 years ago with no question.

    Spray them with a soap and water solution and you`ll probably see small air bubbles coming from the bag. if not check the fittings. I have a very small leak at a fitting on my setup. it leaks about 4 lbs in 4 days. hardly worth looking for.
  • cmeade's avatar
    cmeade
    Explorer
    Aug 22, 2015
    Have the firestone air bags on my ram 3500. Might pay particular attention to the airline by the exhaust pipe and look for burn or chafe spot and spray this area with the soapy water and look for bubbles. Also spray the top and bottom of bags for pin hole or chafing. Spray the inflator valves and look for bubbles. Hope this helps.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Aug 22, 2015
    Yeah when I was on the job we had fancy solutions. Leak Check was the best known but it's just soapy water. Try some household cleaner like Fantastik or Mr Clean.
  • Gerald55's avatar
    Gerald55
    Explorer
    Aug 22, 2015
    Indeed, the Ford guys claimed that they did that (apparently they have something fancier than soap even) - but when I checked the PSI later it was only at 40, so maybe they didn't pump it up much. I supposed I can give it a shot.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Aug 22, 2015
    I don't know a thing about airbags. But I'd take a soap solution in a spray bottle and after pumping it up to 80 psi I'd spray the bag section by section looking for bubbles. At least you could localize the leak.

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