4104 bubble in airbag

[HAMMER DOWN!]

I know it's not a 5a, but I found a 4104 that I may be interested in. It looks like a solid bus! Ive been talking to the owner and he seems like an honest guy. He mentioned that the right front airbag has a bubble in it, and noticed it a couple months ago. the bus has been sitting since 2008, regularly started up, and the air system holds air well, (he says it holds pressure for at least a couple weeks)

The tires are in good shape, 4 years old with no weather checking, engine runs strong, everything seems good (so far ). The only thing holding me up is the airbag

I would need to drive the bus home about 750 miles, so i dont think i would trust a bum airbag to hold up that long. how major of an ordeal is it replacing a bag on one of these things?

What do you guys reckon i should do?

run far far away?

go for it?

[Jriddle]

I have not change an air bag before!!!!!!!!

If the price is right, you like it and bus is solid then don't let the air bag stop you that will be the least of you concern owning a bus.
LOL


Go for it
John

[lostagain]

If the air bag is the only problem, you're looking at a good bus!

Changing an air bag is not a really big deal. You'll need to jack the bus up and take the wheel(s) off. Cut the old bolts and nuts off if they don't unscrew easily. Get new rings, special bolts and nuts and washers with the bag. Take a good look at the other bags. They very well need replacing too is they look old, weathered, cracked, etc.

JC

[HAMMER DOWN!]

Thanks guys! So am I correct in assuming that trying to get home on that air bag would be a bad idea?


The bus is in Dunlap TN, it looks to be about 90-100 miles or so from nashville. Know of any trustworthy shops in that area that can perform this service for me?

[Busted Knuckle]

Depends on which Dunlap, TN you are talking about. There are actually 2 off them and they are bot about the same distance from Nashville.

One is in Sequatchie county and is SE of Nashville. The Other is in Weakly county and is NW of Nashville. The one in Weakly is 35 miles from me just out side of Dresden, TN

The one in Sequatchie looks is about 50 miles from the Choo-Choo Garage in Chattanooga!
 BK  

Is the area code 423 or 731 ?

[Brassman]

Run it 'til it pops, like a true bus driver. Then again, I know nothing about air bags.

[HAMMER DOWN!]

Depends on which Dunlap, TN you are talking about. There are actually 2 off them and they are bot about the same distance from Nashville.

One is in Sequatchie county and is SE of Nashville. The Other is in Weakly county and is NW of Nashville. The one in Weakly is 35 miles from me just out side of Dresden, TN

The one in Sequatchie looks is about 50 miles from the Choo-Choo Garage in Chattanooga!
 BK  

Is the area code 423 or 731 ?

BK, i had no idea there were two, 423 is this guy's area code

[Busted Knuckle]

OK that's the one over by Chattanooga!
Joel @ Choo Choo can fix ya right up on that baby! Shoot come on down, put a deposit on (fuel $) it have the owner bring to the BCM Rally and have it checked out there and if it checks out buy it!
  BK 

[HAMMER DOWN!]

OK that's the one over by Chattanooga!
Joel @ Choo Choo can fix ya right up on that baby! Shoot come on down, put a deposit on (fuel $) it have the owner bring to the BCM Rally and have it checked out there and if it checks out buy it!
  BK 

Hey! You're a smart fella  !

logistics look to be working out in my favor with this bus. *fingers crossed*

[fe2_o3]

   If it were mine I would fix it before I headed home. It seems to me fixing that will eliminate one worry. But don't fret, there are plenty more to sneak up on you. Eliminating the ones you know about just makes the trip that much smoother...Cable

[HAMMER DOWN!]

If i go out there I think it would be wise for me to have the choo choo garage look it over and replace the airbag.. 'specially since I am going to be pretty close to Chattanooga anyways.

I'm having trouble finding contact info for them. I google searched it and the only choo choo garage i am seeing is in GA.

Anyone have a tel. number for them?

[Busted Knuckle]

Well that is the correct # for them. It is actually on Prayter Rd., Rosview, GA but you can throw a stone across the TN line from the garage!

If you watch the banner ads at the top of the page here on the board you'll see an ad for them also!

Choo Choo Express Garage
147 Prater Road
Rossville GA 30741 United States
Phone: 706-891-1242
Phone 2: 423-645-7456
Contact: Don Bowen
Head Tech: Joel

[gus]

I drove my 4104 about 700 mi with a delaminated air bag, appeared to be an original, with no problems. Difference was I was carrying everything needed to replace it if it failed. Didn't though.

4104 air bags are a real pain to replace, I think there are 10 bolts on each end, top and bottom, in front and at least 12 for the larger rear bags. I broke all my bolts with my wrench because of rust.

Also, make sure to measure the bolt lengths, they are different by years. Mine is a '54 (second year of production) and the bolt flanges are thicker than the newer ones. Same for the rear hubs for lug bolts.

Take my advice and cover the air beams with plates while doing this job and you won't ever have to do it again. Of course, plates will require longer bolts too.

Replace both bags on the same side while there, it is not fun to have to go back to the same place and do it later.

[HAMMER DOWN!]

I called up choo choo and spoke with Don. Really nice guy, and he has a bag in stock for it !

He says c'mon by and he could get me fixed up!

Now to call the owner, and get all my ducks in a row. It's looking good though. I just might be the owner of a 4104.

[Brassman]

If you get it, congratulations!