Issue removing Airbag

[peterbylt]

We are working on replacing the Front Airbags in my Friends 1989 MCI 102A3.

This bus is from New England and has a bit of Corrosion on it, nothing that would make it unsafe, but enough to make maintenance a challenge.

We managed to get all the mounting bolts and air fittings off and thought we were doing good.

That's when we found the plate on top of the airbag had fused with the mounting plate, we tried prying, Hammering, then tried an air chisel, we got partway through and then progress stopped.

Anyone encountered this before?

How did you get it out?

I figured I would ask here before I got out the angle grinder and started cutting things away.

When I did the airbags on my 96A3 the Airbag just dropped out at this point.

Peter

[lostagain]

Cut the rubber off, bigger hammer, heat, brute force and ignorance...

[dtcerrato]

That sounds about right!

[chessie4905]

Soak over night with penetrant. Higher pressure for air chisel. 175psi. Sure you arent missing a fitting or bolt holding it?

[peterbylt]

Soak over night with penetrant. Higher pressure for air chisel. 175psi. Sure you arent missing a fitting or bolt holding it?

We have been soaking it, all the fasteners are definitely removed (surprisingly the easiest part), will try the higher air pressure, have also acquired some new/better/sharper chisel Bits.

That top plate for the airbag has become one with the mounting plate, it will just take brute force and time to remove.

In cases like this I remember what a former boss always said, every 10 minute fix is just one broken bolt away from a major project.

Peter

   

[dtcerrato]

Air impact chisel & heat are persuasive to cold weld metal corrosion.

[6805eagleguy]

Heat heat heat

[freds]

Use a heavier fine adjustment tool LOL!!!