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Do I need air bags
I know there has been much discussion over preventive maintance, how soon, what is overkill etc…So here is the condition of air bags removed simply because they were on a 2006 coach….although you see the condition of the air bags…there is no cracking visible on the bags
UNTIL the bags were at full inflation and you can see the sizes of the cracks at the bottom of the bags…
So bag inspection MUST be performed with bags fully inflated and then watch as air is released from the bags…
The 10 years rule holds true for air bag replacement
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6 Replies
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Excellent post and pictures!
If you don’t know how old your airbags are … replace them!
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I’ll add to Jeff’s post with my own bag replacement story with our 2000 Marathon “H”,
How do you justify the money spent on relacement when from all sides everything looks good installed ?
Found this on front air bag, the first one removed…replaced all bags on bus along with all norgren valves.
ETLC did …. bag replacements, all norgrens, all shocks, complete set Centramatics, trans service.
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My arbitrary 10 year air bag rule came about because I had one fail at about 10 years, not because of the rubber part cracking, but the bottom “can” rusted through and began leaking. (Try finding that with soapy water……can’t be done)
About the same time I had two other owners say they had air bag issues with theirs which also were in the 10 year age range. One with severe cracking, and one with leaks not associated with cracking. So until this coach, regardless of apparent condition I changed them. I would be due this year, but whether fully inflated or half way inflated or all the way down I am not seeing anything. No crack or leans or even a hint I should replace them so mine are going at least another year.
I know Jeff examines things on the underside when he is overcharging for his oil changes and he knows from experience when it is time to do things based on his knowledge. Regardless of age, if he says they are due to be changed don’t defer the replacement because a failed or burst air bag is not so easy to deal with on the road and may involve a tow or trailering.
If you have the opportunity to get under your coach don’t look at the bags in one position, but through the air bag range of travel. What looks great in one position may not look so good in another. To the best of my knowledge Prevost has no guidance on the replacement of air bags, Norgrens, ride height valves, etc.
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Our air bags were 18 years old when we replaced them right after getting the coach. Did not see any visible cracking, but it was irrevelant anyway, since we wanted to zero out the coach, and we have it mostly done.
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Cracking is not visible at all times and may only show up as it is rolled over the “piston” which is the part at the base that goes up through the center and is resting on the support plate.
Maybe others can explain the reason, but some air bags clearly show cracking and signs of dry rot at relatively few years, and others can look new for many years.
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Been there at 15-years … and glad we done it at Jeff’s!
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