Thinking about alternative to block off plates

gumpy · October 06, 2016, 08:09:16 PM

In a thread a few days ago, I mentioned I had developed a leak in my air beam that I wouldn't be able to repair, and so was looking for block off plates.

I have done some checking, and have found the plates are close to $100 each. But then you have to buy longer saddle bolts, and they are close to $7 each x 10!!
So we're in the $170 range per bag.

A friend from this board contacted me and send me one of the aluminum block off plates which he had to remove from his MC8 because it had cracked do to galvanic
corrosion. I can use that for a pattern if I decide to make my own (have a buddy who is a fine machinest and could whip these out in a heartbeat, or I could make them
on my own).

Anyway, I got to thinking, and it seems to me that it might be possible to get way with not using block off plates at all. If I recall (it's been a few years since I was in there),
the upper airbag seat has a hole in the center which is the air connection to the air beam. My thoughts are, why would it not be possible to simply cut and weld a piece into
that hole and seal off the air beam. I'd have to figure out how to connect an air line up through the air beam and out the side of the leg to which the air line would be attached.
That doesn't seem like it should be that hard. I think a piece of pipe with an elbow could be welded to the piece before it is welded in place, and a hole could be drilled or cut into
the leg for the pipe to go through. If it's steel, it could be welded right to the leg to keep it from vibrating.

The advange of this is there is no dissimilar metal plate and I can reuse the standard saddle bolts I have in there now.

What am I overlooking? This seems pretty straight forward to me.

craig

luvrbus · October 06, 2016, 08:15:18 PM

You can use a sleeve type air bag,I use those on Eagles when the suspension is bad

Scott & Heather · October 06, 2016, 08:39:01 PM

Craig are you replacing your airbags?

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gumpy · October 06, 2016, 08:53:52 PM

Quote from: Scott & Heather on October 06, 2016, 08:39:01 PM
Craig are you replacing your airbags?

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I'm not planning to. I put these in new about 80000 miles ago (though that was 13 years ago!). Don't really want to spend the money for rolling lobes right now.

jmblake · October 07, 2016, 03:57:16 AM

If you go with the rolling lobe bag you shouldn't need the block off plate, its been a few years ago when I did mine but I'm 99% sure you don't need them. The air lines hook up on the outside not in the center like the old ones plus the ride is much better.
Jason

chessie4905 · October 07, 2016, 04:26:28 AM

This is why I suggested calling Mohawk. They can explain their air suspension upgrade kits and prices.

gumpy · October 07, 2016, 07:33:32 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on October 07, 2016, 04:26:28 AM
This is why I suggested calling Mohawk. They can explain their air suspension upgrade kits and prices.

I know. But I'm not really looking to upgrade to rolling lobes at this time. My air bags are good and I don't really want to spend the money replacing them right now. Maybe in the future.

TomC · October 07, 2016, 07:59:21 AM

Double (or even triple) convoluting air bags (that look like Michelin man) need some sort of air tank to soften the ride. You can run double convoluting air bags without auxiliary air beams, but it will just ride more reactive. I have double convoluting air bags-4 per axle on my bus, but there are what looks like big aluminum cans at the top for extra air volume-hence the bus rides with a heavy feel. Switching to rolling lobe will be best, but not necessary. Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · October 07, 2016, 08:14:03 AM

Craig,I will try and make a deal with Derrick for you when he parts his bus out,right now the engine swap to Johnathon's bus is up in the air.I may buy the bus just to part it out but not sure yet having a small problem with the banker

it would take away from her garage sell sh**

gumpy · October 07, 2016, 09:34:51 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on October 07, 2016, 08:14:03 AM
Craig,I will try and make a deal with Derrick for you when he parts his bus out,right now the engine swap to Johnathon's bus is up in the air.I may buy the bus just to part it out but not sure yet having a small problem with the banker it would take away from her garage sell sh**

I emailed him. He said he's not going to part it out, but sell the whole bus.

If you buy it, let me know.

luvrbus · October 07, 2016, 09:58:37 AM

Quote from: gumpy on October 07, 2016, 09:34:51 AM
I emailed him. He said he's not going to part it out, but sell the whole bus.

If you buy it, let me know.

I will Craig but he is not going to be home for another 3 weeks

gumpy · October 07, 2016, 11:56:08 AM

That's ok. I'm probably going to fix it with my current bags. If I get a good deal on rolling lobes, though, I might add them later.

Scott & Heather · October 08, 2016, 05:06:49 PM

Yeah I can tell you it will ride rough with convolute bags plated. But we drove that way for 6 years and are still alive lol.

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lostagain · October 08, 2016, 05:21:53 PM

The convoluted air bags on my 5C are plated. It doesn't ride any different than before with the air beams functional.

JC