Driving with a failed airbag/airbeam

[kyle4501]

You took the tire off? That's cheating! Heck, it ought to change itself now!

It's more of a challenge to do it with the tire in the way. 

[bigjohnkub]

We blew an air bag coming back out of Mexico. No service available close. We replaced
blown bag with a bundle of baler twine. Blocked off air leak and came on to Laredo and repaired. Ride was a little rough, but we got back to Texas.

[Ncbob]

I hope Mohawk sends Grade 8 nuts with the bolts...MCI didn't do me that favor. But since you live in a farming community they should be readily available.

Best of luck on the changeout.

NCbob

[Tenor]

NcBob - Farming community?  I'm 4 miles from the northern border of Detroit.  Hasn't been a farm here in 70 years!   As an update, the airbag came out easy as can be.  One broken bolt, one I had to use some vice grips on.  I'm still waiting this morning for the bag to show up.  The airbeam looks beautiful.  No rust on the inside of the mating surface!

Glenn

As an update, Mohawk sent me the wrong bag!  A proper one will be here tomorrow.  I forgot to post that as well as the airbag going, the belts on my Generator came off (pulley problem, now fixed) and the airline to my passenger front brake failed.  Also now fixed!  What a week!

Glenn

[JackConrad]

As an update, Mohawk sent me the wrong bag!  A proper one will be here tomorrow. Glenn

Hmmm! Interesting that you should mention that.  Just yesterday, I was talking to a fellow busnut in Mass. that has a 102A3. He recently blew a drive axle air bag (OEM Rolling Lobe Type)and ordered a replacement from Mohawk (at my recommendation). Seems they shipped him the wrong bag also. When talking to him yesterday, he said the bag they sent was much smaller. He did say were very apologetic and are correcting the problem.  Jack

[Ncbob]

Sorry Glenn, my recollection in one of our personal messages was that you were closer to Olivet or Marshall than Lansing.  My mistake. Mea Culpa!  There still must ne a Farm & Fleet or a Tractor Supply nearby.

I can remember when Soapy Williams didn't want to live in Lansing because it was a 'hick town'!

NCbob

[Tenor]

Soapy was right!   But at least you can drive on the freeways and leave!

Glenn

[Tenor]

Final Update:  Made it home!  The proper airbag came with the rings AND the bolts And the nuts And the washers!  I told Otto at  Mohawk that I'd tell everyone else about that. 

Glenn

[gus]

NCBob,

I don't really see any need for Grade 8 nuts since there is no tension on these flange bolts that I can see. They essentially just keep the bolts from coming out and make the air seal, the weight of the bus is on the air.

[Ncbob]

Gus, if I'm going to go through all those motions to install block-off plates or new air bags and tubing you wouldn't hold it against me if I wanted Grade 8 nuts, would you?

NCbob

[gus]

NC,

Not in the least! Since I've replaced all four on the front in the past year so I know what you mean.

I still have four more to go on the rear which is probably worse since they are bigger.

My point is that these nuts are not under a lot of stress and almost no tension unless you overtorque them.

I used the nuts that came with the bolts. I didn't notice if the bolts were grade 8 since I wasn't concerned. I know they're plated the same color as g-8 but today that means nothing.