I have joined the club ! And yes I have lost my mine !

[agazza2]

anybody do the air bag replacement ? Got replacements and now need to pull the old ones and see how they go together ?

View attachment 776700

Randy, I did the one on mine. Very straight forward. Posted on the the facebook page. Let me know if you need a hand.

 

[1951M1078]

Thanks, Allan.
With Sues Mom living with us things are going slow.
I will let you know .
I got a set of air bags for the cab and that will be next. Its more a repair than a up grade.

 

[1951M1078]

And I have the 300W solar panels to install ?

 

[Another Ahab]

Here's the install of the new aftermarket setup. But it all looks to be pretty simple job...

Great "how to" vid, good editing, real clear and simple.

 

[1951M1078]

Started the replacment of the cab air bags. Its just removing some bolts and the air lines and swapping out the parts. I got a new set off Facebook and just needed to replaced.

 

[coachgeo]

Started the replacment of the cab air bags....

https://www.steelsoldiers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=779815&d=1571340153
so what holds the bottom of the bag to plate with 4 bolt holes? is it banded like the top as well?

 

[1951M1078]

Here is the unit apart.



The shock mounts to the plate with the 4 holes. The top of the shock mounts to the steel part of the bag with a pin and their are Orings on the pin.
The bag has a Oring at the bottom to seal it to the botton of the shock housing.

I would say all OEM air bags will need upper shock bushings. Their mostly dust. And the bags are very dry after 25 years.

 

[FloridaAKM]

My biggest problem was removing the four bolts on the base & the the very rusted two nuts on the top of the unit. The rest was a breeze & the next truck will be not a problem.

 

[coachgeo]

is there a part number on the rubber sleeve/bag? Not the whole thing.... just the rubber sleeve itself

what about part number on the shock? that thing looks beefy too.

 

[1951M1078]

Yes,but I don't have it. They are hard to get some of the time.I lucked out and found ones someone didn't want or was going to the aftermarket system ? I just could not see the $1200 for the aftermarket kit.

 

[1951M1078]

Started doing the planing for the rear door.
It will use 2 electric lifts and will also be a roof for the rear deck.

 

[SSGHillbilly]

Congratulations ! I’m with you also . I hope you never tire of it.

New myself with a bobbed Deuce from Boyce Equipment.
having fun and glad I bought an American made Vehicle !

 

[coachgeo]

Yes,but I don't have it. They are hard to get some of the time.I lucked out and found ones someone didn't want or was going to the aftermarket system ? I just could not see the $1200 for the aftermarket kit.

I know the Power Packer part number for the whole thing that your purchased. Am asking about just the rubber sleeve itself that is made by firestone. Might be stamped into or embossed on the rubber somewhere. As for the shock; Maybe Power Packer or whomever makes that shock for them, put a number stamped into the shock body for that part?

 

[1951M1078]

I will look for the numbers.

 

[1951M1078]

Numbers on shock. Looks like the bags got thrown out ?

 

[wandering neurons]

Just want to say "Thanks" for the pics and info on the air bag/shock rebuild. I just pulled the assemblies on my M1081 today and disassembled same. Bushing for top of both shocks was gone, rattled around in the air bag assembly. I'm shocked. One shock had lost all of its oil too. Replaced missing top bushings with two 7/8" O.D. x 3/4" I.D. bronze bushings per shock, with another 3/4" O.D. x (either 11/16" or 5/8" I. D. (sorry, can't remember which!!!)) bronze sleeve as a reducer to match the pin.
Air bags both held air but were frayed where the bag folded back in on itself. Reused for now.
Also, the rubber bushing on the bottom end of the shock was nearly gone. Replaced with two large (Ford) fender washers each side.
Result: Air bags held air, one shock still worked. Ride 100% improvement in quality and noise reduction (no more clunking).
Still need to replace everything eventually, but now that I know how it's done, it'll be a breeze!

 

[coachgeo]

if anyone is in at their bags again... still would like to get any numbers/insignia you can offer that is stamped or embossed into the rubber firestone bag/sleeve.

thanks in advance

 

[wandering neurons]

Sorry, mine were faded and unreadable.
Big problem would be cinching down the band clamps to prevent the bag leaking. Upper clamp is exposed and a worm gear clamp would probably work, but the lower clamp rides inside the air bag and any exposed points would probably wear a hole on the folded section of the bag.

 

[tennmogger]

One of the bags on my 1078 was also frayed and starting to delaminate from constant flexing. An air test showed little soap bubbles. With no replacement bag available I squirted "Slime" tire sealant in it. Worked fine and still holding several months later. This is not permanent of course but gets it working while another bag is ordered. And no disassembly necessary yet.

 

[1951M1078]

Installing a heater in the RV box. Will let you all know how it goes.

Its a Chine's (so who knows if it works ? ) diesel .