| Author | Message | ||
| Jim Rink (Fakeguy)
Registered Member Username: Fakeguy Post Number: 173 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 96.11.208.218  Rating: N/A |
Team..I have a 1962 PD4106 which I bought in 2004. It had new air bags put on it a year earlier. As far as I can see, they are OK but MY QUESTION is...should I change them out for preventative maintenance...is there a recommended life on them. Thanks in advance for your help | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 1256 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 69.69.20.25  Rating: N/A |
Jim; there isn't any maintaining to them, They will last for a long time. They only thing that I know to do to them is when you are parked a long time block the coach so they don't hit bottom. That is where they will start leaking. Gomer | ||
| Jim Rink (Fakeguy)
Registered Member Username: Fakeguy Post Number: 174 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 96.11.208.218 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Gomer...my thinking was perhaps I should change them out to play it safe...but sounds like than may be unneccessry and overkill (nice term for paranoia. | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 443 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38  Rating: N/A |
Jim When I changed mine they had over 20 years on them. Only a couple of them looked in rough shape but I had bought a set on Ebay cheap so I changed all of them. The pistons were in fair shape but I got the new ones fully assembled so they all got changed. I wouldn't worry about them for a long time. If they leak air it might be time to look at them but till then work on other things. Bill | ||
| Jim Rink (Fakeguy)
Registered Member Username: Fakeguy Post Number: 175 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 96.11.208.218 Rating: N/A |
Hey Bill...thanks a bunch..I appreciate the wisdom of your experience | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 565 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.128.245  Rating: |
Jim, some come for the wisdom of experience some to spectate at the lack of it... some to revel in the lack of it some to lend it some to defend it but what ever the reason we are all here for the same thing someone else's experience & perspective to shape our own.... and for the price... you can't beat it! Nice bus BTW.. you gott'em pic's posted some place where I can see'um..? | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1455 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.40  Rating: N/A |
You will probably be replacing the leveling valves way before the bags. FF | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 690 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 153.2.247.31  Rating: N/A |
"should I change them out for preventative maintenance" Yes you should! I will pay shipping for your old bags and dispose of them in an eco-friendly way by putting them on Wheezy Bus. He would probably like a newer set! LOL (Message edited by barn owl on March 02, 2011) | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 400 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 67.141.71.22  Rating: N/A |
If you have that much disposable income.... go for it. Replace the leveling valves at the same time. Change to rolling lobe with the block off plates because the air beams WILL start leaking at the most inopportune time. Send Barn owl the left overs.... Good thing I have a spring suspension and don't have to worry about it. | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 562 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.46.196.121  Rating: N/A |
As far as prevenitive maintenance goes, does anyone ever spray silicone or anything on the bags themselves? | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 603 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 184.0.13.120  Rating: N/A |
Dave I used to spray 140 wt gear oil on one of my rear bags due to a leaky differential seal. It did NOT extend the life of the bag. | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 347 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Hi David, It's not the outside of the bag thats important, it's the inside. If you have air suspension you need dry air to get life out of them. If your bags have been dry inside, the steel mounts on the bottom won't be as likely to rust out. If they have been dry all this time, they are probably ok. If I had air bags I would drain the water off the tanks daily until I knew how much they were getting and knew the bags were seeing dry air. They will last a long time in a wet environment but the less water the longer they live. | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 353 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 75.221.181.222  Rating: N/A |
Air bags are a rubber component that ages out no dofferent than a radiator hose. Would you leave a 20 year old hose on a vehicle I think not. Bags are way more important or just as important but way more trouble on the road. You need to take a closter look at 20 year old bags thats scarry. I would not run 1 a day over 15 yr. I pull many at 10 that still look decent I have never pulled a 20 yr old bacg that was not WAY OVERDUE Hope those peramiters help | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 354 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 75.221.181.222 Rating: N/A |
I am in KC right now helping a friend on a 92 Prevo do his suspension. It is all original and that would make his stuff 20 years. His bags are crumbling away when you briskly brush your hand against them. NO GOOD Mr Bus Driver no good | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 447 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38 Rating: N/A |
As Larry said "it is the inside of the bag that matters". I just changed a friends bags on a 1978 4905 and only one showed wear on the outside but was good on the inside. None of them were leaking. I admit 32 years is a long time to go before changing bags but it shows how long they can last. They were dated so I know they were original. Mine are all changed and I won't be around when they need it again so no need to worry. Bill | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 592 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62  Rating: N/A |
Is this where I mention I love my torsalistics ;) | ||
| Brian Evans (Bevans6)
Registered Member Username: Bevans6 Post Number: 17 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 65.92.54.2 Rating: N/A |
I changed the front air springs on my MCI last summer. they were original - 30 years old. Looked absolutely horrible on the outside, absolutely perfect on the inside, and did not leak down badly at all = the bus would stay up for a couple of weeks if the temperature was warm. Just a data point from experience... Brian | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 572 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.128.245 Rating: N/A |
Joe & Debbie.. WIth all this talk about Air--Bags/Rotten Rubber/Radiator Hoses... and the various rubber components that can fail & leave us in a dangerous or precarious situation... and seeing as how we have about run the course on air-bags anyways... Can I turn the attention to this tiny little inch & a half sq. rubber part...?  IF it fails....NO AIR to the suspension system! It undergoes the same pressurization cycles as the Bags is made of much less substantial construction is probably as old & in the same shape as your bags are and is just as critical to safe operation of a coach as a steering wheel is..! (and it is about 10 times easier to replace than a single air bag is... Any one ever seen one of these before...? . . . (Message edited by Jack_fids on March 04, 2011) | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 415 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.61.199 Rating: N/A |
Jack, if you had been to my website you would have sen how to fix that thing with little more than a $5 piece of kitchen equipment. If you are interested, I can put the photos back up. Sometimes it's better to use what's available rather than use the high dollar stuff. Did you know that I have found 4106's and 4905's that used leather for the diaphragm? | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 574 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.128.245 Rating: N/A |
I don't doubt the leather deal...to make it home I used a piece of vinyl from a plastic tool pouch... any port in the storm Bud! (Luke supplied the proper replacement for less than a 5 spot) | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 355 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 75.221.74.105 Rating: N/A |
On a Prevo you can get all 8 airbags new from Prevo parts Elgin along with 8 new monroe gas matic shocks and 3 ride hieght valves for under 1500 bucks delivered. For that kind of money why would you not when you know your stuff is 20 yer old? Weak link on the ride hieght valves is the linkage kits 15 bucks. While on the subject what about parking brake chambers what are we doing with those running them till they fail? NOT Why? 30/36s are 300 for the pair and are easily done in the driveway. The alternative is a potential brake fire and or emergency road repair. If you have 30/30s they are only 45 a piece. Service brake diaphrams are 8 bucks a piece and rubber air hose is a buck a foot. 10 or 12 year service interval on the maxis as well as all this stuff is a good place to be not too much money, not too often, great peace of mind and insurance. | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 356 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 75.221.74.105 Rating: N/A |
On a Prevo you can get all 8 airbags new from Prevo parts Elgin along with 8 new monroe gas matic shocks and 3 ride hieght valves for under 1500 bucks delivered. For that kind of money why would you not when you know your stuff is 20 yer old? Weak link on the ride hieght valves is the linkage kits 15 bucks. While on the subject what about parking brake chambers what are we doing with those running them till they fail? NOT Why? 30/36s are 300 for the pair and are easily done in the driveway. The alternative is a potential brake fire and or emergency road repair. If you have 30/30s they are only 45 a piece. Service brake diaphrams are 8 bucks a piece and rubber air hose is a buck a foot. 10 or 12 year service interval on the maxis is a good place to be not too much money, not too often, great peace of mind and insurance. I am sure you will also discover other "issues" you did not know about and learn volumes about your camper | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 417 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.61.199 Rating: |
Joe, While I agree with you about the preventive maintenance, and while I had my trucking company, I would have replaced anything that looked like it needed it, I do have to differ with your 'do it before it's needed' system. Many of us no longer have access to the kind of cash outlay you are talking about. For instance, $300 for a set of 30/36's is right at $50 more per week than my wife and I make total. $1500 is right at $500 more than we make per month. Due to a downturn in economic abilities, (I had my hip shattered by a wayward bus with no insurance), I am not capable of doing the physical labor needed to keep either trucks, buses or other vehicles up to snuff in a manner timely enough to satisfy the owners. Usually my day starts at 02:00, and I work on computers until about 05:30 then I work at our RV park job until the work for the day is done. However, I refuse to charge what the Geek Guys charge, and will not lie to the customer, so often the computer is given to me as payment for the work done. Kind of like the old days, when a doctor would accept a chicken as payment. My method to keep my bus in running condition is to beg or trade for what I need, whether it's new or used. I no longer have a financial cushion of 10 or 15 thousand dollars. When I was a kid (in the 50's, 60's, and until I went in the service), We always thought a new pickup truck was anything less than 10 years old. Only rich people could afford a NEW 1969 Pontiac Catalina! We worked in the woods cutting posts, poles and mine props, and for a few years I worked on a ranch as a fence rider when I was around 12. Gone for 4 to 6 weeks at a time, every two weeks getting groceries from the farm truck that came up to meet me at a line shack. Our ideas at that time was to fix anything that needed to be fixed, the best way we could. Some of those fixes actually made into the official nomenclature. Since that time, I've always looked for ways to lower the costs and make a repair a bit less costly and a bit more lasting. I really don't mean to sound harsh, but it really bugs me that many of us have the bus, the know how and the want to, but are told by others that if we don't have X amount of money in the bank or on a piece of plastic, we shouldn't own a bus. Good luck, I like you and what I can see of your bus, and hope we can still be friends. | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 357 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 75.221.79.96 Rating: N/A |
Did I miss something I am responding to the original question. I do not care what you do, not offended by what you think of my opinion and if there is something I said that rubbed you wrong dont worry you will get over it My method is NOT replace it before it is needed. It is a normal sevice interval for any rubber components. (Message edited by Joe Camper on March 04, 2011) | ||
| Jim Rink (Fakeguy)
Registered Member Username: Fakeguy Post Number: 176 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 96.11.208.218 Rating: N/A |
looks like I really started something :-)...thanks to all for the input | ||
| George Martinez (Foohorse)
Registered Member Username: Foohorse Post Number: 393 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 72.211.128.245  Rating: N/A |
Jim ....Buddy.. Pal.. compared to our friend Gary who's thread about bullies reached an unheard of number of posts this thread here is... well... sort of small. cute and interesting. but small. there is a chance that it could grow a bit more though. | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 579 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.128.245 Rating: N/A |
Especially if you and I load it up like we did Gary's Tome.... Hey Fooey, did you ever have the thought that we all might just be humoring your lame azz out of a sense of sympathy ...? BTW you know Dal lies to you Right...? | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 358 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 75.221.241.217 Rating: N/A |
Hey Dal did you ever install those 2 used but mint condition 30/36s I took off another bus and sent you a few months back. | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 421 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.61.199 Rating: N/A |
No Joe.... I rebuilt them, but they are laying on the floor of the shop. It seems that work and other projects got in the way, aside from the fact that the bus is sitting on the motherload of East Texas Mud and I don't need that much of a mud bath! LOL. You should join us down here for the rally on the 31 - 4th. | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 359 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 108.76.70.138 Rating: N/A |
O/K good enough. That old 24 volt webasto I traded you for those chambers went to good use. Had a friend with a rotted out heat exchanger on his unit. A webasto distributor wanted 1200 bucks for a new one. Best price I found on a used one was a guy in Sharon Kansas it was 700. I sandblasted it repainted it and traded for a 2800 W 24 V Heart inverter in good working order. 2 Awsum trades, first to you then to him. | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 438 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 75.91.197.166 Rating: N/A |
And we all got a great deal! |
