Air bag/Prevost question

Ace · February 10, 2012, 07:49:06 PM

Below is a link to picture of two air bags. The old is upside down on top of the new one to show a comparison if the mounting stud length differences. It's about a 1/2 inch difference and after being on the phone about a half a day, Prevost says these are the correct bags that superseeded the original!
Sure they fit but the stud doesnt allow for a washer to be used and the nut only goes on far enough that still shows about a thread to a thread and a half. In other words, the stud doesn't even come to the end of the nut!
Has anyone else seen this as a problem? These are Goodyear bags with a Prevost part number 630259. E

http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb394/Goldbus/0a2f5085.jpg

Boomer · February 10, 2012, 08:03:17 PM

How about installing longer studs.

fraser8 · February 10, 2012, 08:23:45 PM

I changed my tag bag and the plate where one stud went through it had been beefed up with a steel plate. I removed the stud and put a longer one in. Put two nuts on the stud and wrench it off with the bottom one. My tag number was Good Year #1R12-127 Prevost # 6300-19
Good luck

Ace · February 10, 2012, 08:30:46 PM

Thanks! I forgot to mention that I called Prevost and asked if the stud could be removed and they said no! That doesn't mean it can't and maybe they don't know for sure but it's worth a try I guess!

robertglines1 · February 11, 2012, 05:32:39 AM

all that does it hold it in location. Would work without nut if you never jacked body to high. I don't even know if it is possible to jack body to high. Don't think they screw out. Just put 8 on the 98. Bob

bevans6 · February 11, 2012, 05:51:48 AM

Put a half-height AN nylock nut on, or a Jet nut. Use a thin AN washer under it. No need for a lock washer with a self-locking nut, and the Jet nut is stronger than a normal full height nut.

Brian

robertglines1 · February 11, 2012, 05:56:09 AM

My original one did not have washer. Mounted to 1/2 inch plate steel-- holes are close tolerance.

bobofthenorth · February 11, 2012, 08:21:31 AM

I vaguely recall dealing with this when I changed bags maybe 4 years ago now. I just put new nuts on and didn't sweat the fact that the studs were too short. As someone has already pointed out, unless you try to lift the coach by the body the nuts are just decorative anyway. Brian's solution is more elegant.

TomC · February 11, 2012, 08:29:01 AM

Ace-pull up Firestone air bags and they have a very complete table of what bag matches to vehicles. Maybe a Firestone air bag will be designed better-then you can buy straight from Firestone without the wonderful up charge of Prevost. Good Luck, TomC

fraser8 · February 11, 2012, 05:27:41 PM

The bag I got from Prevost was a GoodYear and was half the price than the price from a Truck dealer, who needed a week to get it in, Prevost shipped within a couple of days and shipping costs were included. Franklin Truck, $328.00 plus shipping, Prevost $254.00 for two shipping included.

Ace · February 11, 2012, 06:31:51 PM

I already have the bags and three of them are installed! The fourth is a long story but the short version is, a replacement bag will be here Monday! I got them from Prevost. Ordered by phone on Tuesday, arrived at my house on Wednesday. $113.00 each and free shipping!

Now another question!

Above each air bag plate there is obviously an air line. Mine are the plastic/nylon type. The question is, and don't ask why but, can these plastic type air lines be folded to hold off any air coming thru? I know, a really dumb question but imagine holding a garden hose without a nozzle and you want the water to stop, so you fold it over and pinch off the flow. Now seeing as how the garden hose is rubber, the chances if it breaking or weakening are slim but back to the 1/4 inch Plastic type air line. Could it be weakened and eventually break causing the air bag to deflate and then the bus to lean or worse yet, settle down on top of the tires?
Again, don't ask why but I'm told this is done pretty regular while changing air bags and using shop air to inflate new bags!
I know! Pretty wild huh!

luvrbus · February 11, 2012, 06:52:38 PM

Ace, they make a tool for that looks like a pair of vise grips with round stock on both jaws claps the line air tight or pinch off pliers like the refrigeration guys use I wouldn't bend it JMO

good luck

Ace · February 11, 2012, 06:59:06 PM

Yes Clifford I know BUT can folding the line be harmful or make it potential problem?

luvrbus · February 11, 2012, 07:07:15 PM

I don't know for sure Ace all I do know with my trucks if the tubing had kinks the DOT gods made you replace it on the spot.Your line is probably DOT Nylon not plastic it doesn't like bending much

good luck

bobofthenorth · February 12, 2012, 09:32:27 AM

Ace I think what they're saying is if you bent it you need to replace it. I agree.

And I agree with Fraser as well. My experience with Prevost Parts has been that they are very competitively priced. In my case they seem to have some shipping issues - as in they like to ship the parts to wherever I am not at but once I get together with the parts they generally cost less than if I had sourced them at NAPA. Assuming they were even available at NAPA.