Leveling air bags for 1966 Flx transit bus

ragebusproject · July 03, 2014, 11:01:31 AM

Hello!

We are at a shop in Santee, east of San Diego and in need of replacement leveling air bags for the rear of our 1966 Flxible city transit bus.
The mechanic here is of the opinion that because the air bags not working is putting a lot of strain on the U joint which could at any moment lock up and cease causing much more collateral damage. Do others feel this is as high a risk as he does?
Secondly, we are willing to do what needs to be done to get the leveling system back in working order but cannot find a part number. Does anyone have a book of part numbers or a bus of similar year, make and model? Does anyone know of air bag suppliers in the area? Any knowledge on the topic would help a lot.

scanzel · July 03, 2014, 11:21:38 AM

If you are at a shop that works on large trucks buses etc they should be able to contact someone in the area that can order air bags and has a catalog etc. Large truck dealers/repair shops. When my bus blew a bag a large Ford truck repair shop changed all 8 of them. $190 ea plus labor.$$$$

Scott Crosby · July 03, 2014, 11:25:26 AM

https://www.mohawkmfg.com/shop/part/23448/

I think these were the fronts on my fishbowl transit. But I don't know at all if they are the same. Rears are different. I'll look up what I had for those in a min. It might get you in the right direction. make sure you get the whole assembly, it's only $15-20 more and it's already put together.

Scott Crosby · July 03, 2014, 11:29:23 AM

https://www.mohawkmfg.com/shop/part/23243/

I think these were my rears. $88 and $72 if you can't see the prices.

scanzel · July 03, 2014, 11:39:35 AM

If Mohawk can't help try www.TruckSpring.com or call 800-358-4751 eastern time. They are in Michigan. They carry the Firestone air bags.

ragebusproject · July 03, 2014, 11:43:51 AM

We are at a shop that works on large buses etc. We originally came to have them work on our rear breaks and they have had a hell of a time locating parts. SO, the owner is currently unwilling to remove the air bags in the rear before locating replacement bags and opening up that can of worms which would potentially have us taking up space on his pad for who knows how long. Understandable, but we can't find a part number on the bags anywhere so the only way to match them at this point is if someone happens to know...

What year is your GMC?

I am unsure of how to utilize these web sites productively w/o a part number :/

ragebusproject · July 03, 2014, 11:45:27 AM

I don't know how to make these websites useful without a part number...

lostagain · July 03, 2014, 11:55:22 AM

Isn't there a number on the bag itself? Look all around it, again. If the bags aren't too worn, you might be able to read it.

JC

Scott Crosby · July 03, 2014, 11:59:42 AM

Mine is a 1961 GM 4516 "new Look"

Yes there are numbers on the bag. They are probably superseded but they will get you there. How many are bad? It may just be the level valves, I would not just assume that it's the bags.

ragebusproject · July 03, 2014, 12:10:29 PM

The bags are visually in bad shape. lots of cracking and spots missing from the outer layer.. They're Firestone brand and I did find a part number, but they must be out of date because they are not coming up on their website.. i suppose i'll call customer service

Scott Crosby · July 03, 2014, 12:20:40 PM

Mine looked like this so I replaced them all. Turns out, it was my level valves so replacing the bags still didn't fix the problem. The needed to be replaced obviously but just ordering bags didn't fix the problem.

Van · July 03, 2014, 02:50:49 PM

Not sure if this helps but the Good year # for the 4517 and the 5301 (not sure if the same as yours) rear bags is 2376040 Diameter- 8" Height- 15 1/4" and the Delco rear control valves are, Left 5544882, Right 5544883.
Someone here may know if these models are similar as yours. Good luck!

TomC · July 03, 2014, 07:00:32 PM

Do you have the old style Flx transit with the six piece windshield that uses 4 air bags per axle? Or do you have the newer Grummen Flx with the 2 air bag set up in the rear? Do you have a V-drive or straight drive? Good Luck, TomC

plyonsMC9 · July 04, 2014, 09:14:17 AM

Greetings RageBusProject,

What is the status? Are you still stuck? Did you find what you needed to get you on your way

Happy 4th & Kind Regards, Phil

eagle19952 · July 04, 2014, 09:31:40 AM

You might find the info you need here:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/flxowners/info

I cannot imagine that all the bags are bad. here's hoping they are not

NOTE: This fellow does air leveler refits and is near by...perhaps he can give you better advice...he is 8 miles from you...

Bob Rowsell, Owner ● 9762 Silva Road ● El Cajon CA 92021
Phone: 619-561-9048 ● Fax: 619-561-6803
Order toll free: 1-888-725-4661 ● E-mail use Contact Us page
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