air bags

[mc8 tin tent]

    As luck would have it,we planned to take the bus out tonight,,,during the pre-trip found a leak from the left front air bag , SO WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS ?), 77 MCI  ,Is mci the only choice? and  how big of a job is it to change, also should I change all air bags at the same time or wait till each one fails?
  What do you think??
    Or am I over reacting an an should push on to Arkansas  6hr. one way!!!!!!
Thanks
  Dwayne

[Melbo]

I don't know about driving with a leaking air bag -- as with any air leak if it is bad enough you will be stopped dead at some point but replacing the air bags is not that hard and you can get them from luke or other places -- luke was a little less than MCI but I reused the rings when I did mine

HTH  YMMV

Melbo

[Tenor]

I just got a rear airbag (original airbeams, not plated) from Mohawk.  Came with the rings and bolts and the nuts for under 100.  Shipping was extra.  If you need to hit the road, I'd repair the one, then buy one every month and change the rest out when you have them all.  That's my plan for the rest of my bus.  Good luck!

[NJT5047]

Your bus has airbeams.  Airbeams are prone to 'issues' such as leaks.   I'd recommend replacing all four airbags on the steer axle and install blockoffs.   These are available as a kit.  Do it once and the airbags will outlast the rest of the bus. 
Each axle will have to be judged on their condition.   If they ain't leaking, leav'em alone. 
Still, once one airbag goes on an axle the rest will be soon failing.  Plus, if you change to the newer style bags with blockoff plates, you'll have to install both sides.   
You may wish to get under the bus and have a look before ordering airbags or kits.  You may already have blockoffs.  If so, the airbags should match what you remove.  Blockoff kits use different airbags than the OEM airbeam suspension. 
If the front air suspension lines enter into a plate that appears sandwiched between the airbag and the upper steel, you have blockoffs.
If the airlines go into the upper member, the airbeams are still functional.  Block those suckers off. 
You may have that rare MC8 that doesn't have a rust problem (very rare), and if so, you may get away with replacing the airbags with OEM styled bags...blockoff plates would offer better long-term resolution to your problem.
R&R'ing the bags is labor intensive, but doable.   Get a new bolt kit, rings, etc. 
As with all 'under the bus' work....be clear on how the bus must be jacked and blocked.   Jacking at the correct points and proper blocking is important to your good health and longevity.   That bus will mash the crap out of you!   
Only jack on a proper surface (don't do it like I did last week while changing an inner drive flat).   If the jack or blocking goes thru the surface....well, MAJOR bummer. 
Get a couple of cans of PB Blaster and soak all the old hardware, including air line fittings, for a couple days before disassembling.  May make life a little better.   Be ready to bend wrenches to make special tools for reaching a couple of the bolts.  The job is a PITA, but it ain't technical. 
Some idea of what lies ahead can be gained from looking a Craig's invaluable website:  http://www.gumpydog.com/bus/
Look for his airbag replacement page.   
BTW, blockoffs will have some minor effect on the ride quaility, but it'll feel a little more taught.  You may like it.  The ride may be very slightly degraded, but overall, most won't notice.  The newer styled 'rolling lobe' airbags are good items. 
HTH, JR


Good luck,

[mc8 tin tent]

Thanks for all the replies  everyone tomorrow is the day(this was not in the plans)
Thanks again
  Dwayne

[JackConrad]

If you have or need block-off plates, you might consider calling Mohawk industries and replacing the bags with rolling lobe air bags. This is a simple change-over and wioll give a much smoother ride than using block-off plates.  We repalced all the OEM bags on our MC-8 with rolling lobe type from Mohawk Industries.  We were amazed with the difference in ride.  Jack

[Kwajdiver]

Do air bags give any warning they are wearing out?   Should they be inspected, any tall tale signs they need replacing?

Bill
Now I'm worried   

[lostagain]

I replaced all the bags on my Courier 96 because they looked old, weathered and cracked, and I wanted to do it at home rather than on the side of the road...

The bus is 51 years old and the air beams are still good, no leaks. I didn't see the need for plates. I'll deal with that if and when I have to. Rolling lobes would be nice then.


On the 1995 MCI 102D3 of the hockey team's, we replaced a tag axle bag last year because the shock absorber wore a hole through it. It is an MCI design flaw IMHO : when the tag wheel is pushed up all the way, the shock rubs agaisnt the bag and wears it over time. The executive board suggested I replace all the bags as preventive maintenance. I said no, the other bags look good, it would be a waste of money. I think a bag is only going to leak if it is so old that it will crack, or it gets punctured by something.

JC

[jjrbus]

I replaced all the bags on my Courier 96 because they looked old, weathered and cracked, and I wanted to do it at home rather than on the side of the road...

The bus is 51 years old and the air beams are still good, no leaks. I didn't see the need for plates. I'll deal with that if and when I have to. Rolling lobes would be nice then.




JC

Are you 100% absolutely sure it is the air bag that is leaking? Some find the use of an angle grinder or Dremel the preferable method of removing the bolts!!

i replace one airbag because it had a gouge in it. The rest look old, I will deal with them when they leak.  Personal choice, you may want to do it different.
My bus is almost new, only 30 years old!!! The air beams do not leak, I can see no reason to plate them!!

                                HTH  Jim

                                                                                           

[mc8 tin tent]

  Thanks everyone!!
And yes Jim its the air bag, leaking from in between  the inside seams on the bag it's self . This is so much more fun than setting by a campfire in early morning,the smell of bacon in the air and biscuits & gravy on the stove with cool breeze an hot coffee !!!!!!!!!!AHAHAHAH!                NOT!!!!!!!!!! OH WELL BACK TO REALITY        NOW I SMELL OLD GREASE, DIRT,ROAD GRIME,& KROYAL ? AND THE ONLY BREEZE IS COMING FROM ME   EACH TIME I BUST A KNUCKLE        sorry BK
  Dwayne

[edroelle]

Glenn,

Unless they have changed, Mohawk ships free over $50.  I have found that I have needed to REMIND them though.

Ed Roelle
Flint, MI

[mc8 tin tent]

Do air bags give any warning they are wearing out?   Should they be inspected, any tall tale signs they need replacing?

Bill
Now I'm worried   

Bill
  When mine let go  I could hear a leak behind the drivers side front wheel ,I thought it may be the leveling valve seeping,only a lot worse. Bill when I got the air bag out I found a 1/4 crack in the folds of the bag. I maybe could have made the trip ,but I didn't want to risk it!!   ( this may have been leaking for some time but the leak came on slow.  )  I would do a good pre trip before taking off!!!!   MAYBE A FEW DAYS EARLIER  Than the night you plan to  leave
   Dwayne

[jjrbus]

Does not mater when you do the pre trip, will not malfunction until you are ready to go!!  Its in the rules!!!!