Been having trouble with the front bags holding up overnight ever since I got the bus back from the shop. Just can't get the beads to seal up on two of the block off plates. Tired of messing around with it so I just bought the rolling lobe retrofit kits from Mohawk. 1700 and some change for all 8. Let the fun begin!
Reconsider doing all that work needlessly. When I come into a campground, I can level my bus in seconds with my manual leveling valves. If I'm going to be at the same site for more than a few days, I level with boards then dump my suspension all the way down.
How long does it take for the bus to go down? If it is over night, that's not bad. If it is only a few minutes, then yes you have a problem. Having the bus keep air in the air bags for a long time isn't all that important. That's what the engine driven air compressor is for.
Just trying to keep you from a GIANT job ahead of you. Good Luck, TomC
Derrick -
Funny story: The transit outfit I worked for several years ago received an order of twelve new Gillig Phantom coaches. They were driven to Fresno from the factory in Hayward, about 165 miles away. The following morning, a little over half of them were sitting askew, the air leaking out of the suspension overnight.
Nature of the beast!
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
It is not impossible to get air bags to hold air for a long period of time. My drive axle and front axle hold air all winter long never once leaking down to the bump stops all winter long. It is possible.
Being my bags are seperate from the rest of my air system, they hold air for 3 years now. The gauge will read 0 on the rest of the system in 6 hours but my bags are still at 80 lbs where I set them.
I converted my airbags to a manual system years ago for levelling. Before the bus sat at the shop for the last 5 months it would hold air pretty much indefinitely. I replaced 2 front bags about 5 years ago, all the others are dated 1992. 24 years is a long time for rubber so I'm not complaining. I replaced all 4 front bags to the new rolling lobe today, took about 5 hours total. I expect the rear will take about that much time each side. I also took advantage of the easy access to adjust the brakes while in there.
We have all brand new Goodyear rolling lobe bags on our 102C3 and I can tell you it rides way softer than our 9. Amazing the difference.
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