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New airbags [message #136214]

Wed, 27 July 2011 06:08

mgrue

Messages: 192
Registered: October 2010
Location: Valmeyer IL

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I finished installing my new airbags and I am very satisfied with the results. They are 9.2 inches in diameter so use about half the pressure of the originals. Ride is about the same but the compressor is not working nearly as hard to produce 60 psi instead of 125. They have enough travel to raise and lower the coach to the limits of the shock travel. Let me know what you think.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=39889&nocache=1

Mark

Mark Grueninger 76 Palm Beach Valmeyer IL

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Re: New airbags [message #136215 is a reply to message #136214]

Wed, 27 July 2011 06:37

John Sharpe

Messages: 489
Registered: February 2006
Location: Texas

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Quote:

I finished installing my new airbags and I am very satisfied with the results. They are 9.2 inches in diameter so use about half the pressure of the originals. Ride is about the same but the compressor is not working nearly as hard to produce 60 psi instead of 125. They have enough travel to raise and lower the coach to the limits of the shock travel. Let me know what you think.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=39889&nocache=1

Mark

Mark, How much room is there between the bag and the inner wheel house? Looks good. Is it a currently marketed bag or a new find?

John Sharpe
Humble,TX
'78 Eleganza TBI
'89 Spectrum 2000 MPI V-10
'40 Ford Panel Delivery TPI
johnasharpe@gmail.com

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Re: New airbags [message #136216 is a reply to message #136214]

Wed, 27 July 2011 06:42

Hardie Johnson

Messages: 483
Registered: January 2004
Location: Raleigh NC

Karma: 0

Senior Member

mgrue wrote on Wed, 27 July 2011 07:08

I finished installing my new airbags and I am very satisfied with the results. <>
Mark

That looks good. What is the Firestone part number, and did you have to do any mods?

Hardie Johnson "Crashj"
1973 26 foot Glacier, White Thing
Raleigh NC

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Re: New airbags [message #136217 is a reply to message #136215]

Wed, 27 July 2011 06:43

mgrue

Messages: 192
Registered: October 2010
Location: Valmeyer IL

Karma: 0

Senior Member

There is about 3/4 inch between the bag and the wheel well. It is a firestone bag used on busses and trucks. Fairly commen bag the local freightliner dealer has it in stock. Can also be ordered online for about $140 but since I work at a trucking company we get them a lot cheaper. Of course we buy about 25 bags a week too so that helps.

Mark

Mark Grueninger 76 Palm Beach Valmeyer IL

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Re: New airbags [message #136218 is a reply to message #136217]

Wed, 27 July 2011 06:59

Don Walton

Messages: 50
Registered: September 2007

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Member

I am wondering if the cone comes with the bag? Looks like a good swap!

Don Walton in NC, 75 Glenbrook, too many MGs

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Re: New airbags [message #136219 is a reply to message #136214]

Wed, 27 July 2011 07:05

mgrue

Messages: 192
Registered: October 2010
Location: Valmeyer IL

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Senior Member

There is no modification to the coach other then turning down the air pressure. I had to make a mounting plate for each end. took about 4 hours for the first side and about an hour for the other side. Had to do a bit of trial and error on the first one. Part number for the bag and cone assembly is W01-358-9294. Uses a plastic cone but all of the trucks and trailer we have use them and never had a problem with them. The load on it is about half what it is designed for so it is not working hard at all.

Mark

Mark Grueninger 76 Palm Beach Valmeyer IL

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Re: New airbags [message #136222 is a reply to message #136219]

Wed, 27 July 2011 07:20

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

mgrue wrote on Wed, 27 July 2011 08:05

There is no modification to the coach other then turning down the air pressure. I had to make a mounting plate for each end. took about 4 hours for the first side and about an hour for the other side. Had to do a bit of trial and error on the first one. Part number for the bag and cone assembly is W01-358-9294. Uses a plastic cone but all of the trucks and trailer we have use them and never had a problem with them. The load on it is about half what it is designed for so it is not working hard at all.

Mark

Mark,

That thing is listed as a travel of over 12"!!
I don't know what the original are/were, but I'm thinking not far from that.

Did you happen to make pictures of the two different mounting plates?

Matt

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: New airbags [message #136223 is a reply to message #136219]

Wed, 27 July 2011 07:26

Don Walton

Messages: 50
Registered: September 2007

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Member

Thanks Mark!! Not trying to be a pain but do you have any pictures of the backing plate you made? I really like the low pressure and a lot of travel on the rear suspension.

Don Walton in NC, 75 Glenbrook, too many MGs

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Re: New airbags [message #136224 is a reply to message #136214]

Wed, 27 July 2011 07:32

mgrue

Messages: 192
Registered: October 2010
Location: Valmeyer IL

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I spent several hours going through the specs on the bag and the travel is one of the things that made this one my choice. It has the travel to use the full range of the shocks. I have pics of the plates but they are high resolution so I have to resize them for the web. It just takes a while. I am reluctant to give too much detail because the bags are good for about 10,000 lbs each and if the operator is not careful and the pressure turned down they would probably rip the shocks out of the mounts or pull the rods out of them. I would feel bad if someone copied the design and tore up their coach with it.

Mark

Mark Grueninger 76 Palm Beach Valmeyer IL

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Re: New airbags [message #136228 is a reply to message #136224]

Wed, 27 July 2011 07:54

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

mgrue wrote on Wed, 27 July 2011 07:32

I spent several hours going through the specs on the bag and the travel is one of the things that made this one my choice. It has the travel to use the full range of the shocks. I have pics of the plates but they are high resolution so I have to resize them for the web. It just takes a while. I am reluctant to give too much detail because the bags are good for about 10,000 lbs each and if the operator is not careful and the pressure turned down they would probably rip the shocks out of the mounts or pull the rods out of them. I would feel bad if someone copied the design and tore up their coach with it.

Mark

Mark, you are kidding me? You don't think anyone on here would copy it and rip their shocks apart do you? Naw, no copy cats on this list. Good to see folks coming up with stuff here. Great.
Let them rip those shocks apart. They probably need new ones anyway. Laughing

Laughing

Thanks for sharing,
Dan

3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer

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Re: New airbags [message #136231 is a reply to message #136228]

Wed, 27 July 2011 08:02

mgrue

Messages: 192
Registered: October 2010
Location: Valmeyer IL

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Mark, you are kidding me? You don't think anyone on here would copy it and rip their shocks apart do you? Naw, no copy cats on this list. Good to see folks coming up with stuff here. Great.
Let them rip those shocks apart. They probably need new ones anyway. Laughing

Laughing

Thanks for sharing,
Dan[/quote]

One of these days I am going to show up at your house with my camera and copy ahhh I mean imortalize all of the neat things you have done to your coach. I will post pics of the plates and will give dimentions. Dont have a problem with people copying them. Just want to warn them of what I have found. By the way Dan had any throwed rolls lately? Might have to get some one of these days...

Mark

Mark Grueninger 76 Palm Beach Valmeyer IL

[Updated on: Wed, 27 July 2011 08:03]

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Re: New airbags [message #136234 is a reply to message #136231]

Wed, 27 July 2011 08:12

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

No throwed rolls in a while. Normally only when we have guests.
Mark, do you realize that you are in Illinois and farther west than I am here in Mo?
Thanks for the picture. Come see us anytime. We have a driveway with a 20 amp service and water.
Dan

3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer

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Re: New airbags [message #136245 is a reply to message #136224]

Wed, 27 July 2011 08:49

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

mgrue wrote on Wed, 27 July 2011 08:32

I spent several hours going through the specs on the bag and the travel is one of the things that made this one my choice. It has the travel to use the full range of the shocks. I have pics of the plates but they are high resolution so I have to resize them for the web. It just takes a while. I am reluctant to give too much detail because the bags are good for about 10,000 lbs each and if the operator is not careful and the pressure turned down they would probably rip the shocks out of the mounts or pull the rods out of them. I would feel bad if someone copied the design and tore up their coach with it.

Mark

Mark,

There is a feature of the GMC suspension that I see you do not yet grasp. The rear shocks are backwards from almost everything else in existence..... They compress as the suspension extends.

This does not mean that you can't hurt the system by over-extending with a bogie jacked up, it just makes it more difficult.

This is also a very easy thing to deal with. . . Just turn down the compressor switch.

Matt

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: New airbags [message #136247 is a reply to message #136214]

Wed, 27 July 2011 08:52

Vince

Messages: 12
Registered: July 2011

Karma: 0

Junior Member

found this on line intreging set up http://www.truckspring.com/products/Firestone-Reversible-Sleeve-Air-Spring__W01-358-9294.aspx
138.50
my old bags scare me

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Re: [GMCnet] New airbags [message #136250 is a reply to message #136214]

Wed, 27 July 2011 09:01

Ken Henderson

Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA

Karma: 9

Senior Member

Mark,

Looks like a great mod. Have enough road time with it enough to
comment on the change in ride/stability characteristics? I'd expect
more "floating" and rolling with so much lower pressure. That might
create more need for rear sway bars, which I don't like with the OEM
bags because of the leveling problems the heavy ones create.

Ken H.

On Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 7:08 AM, Mark Grueninger wrote:
>
>
> I finished installing my new airbags and I am very satisfied with the results. � They are 9.2 inches in diameter so use about half the pressure of the originals. �Ride is about the same but the compressor is not working nearly as hard to produce 60 psi instead of 125. �They have enough travel to raise and lower the coach to the limits of the shock travel. � Let me know what you think.
>
> �http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=39889&nocache=1
>
> Mark
> -
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Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach

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Re: New airbags [message #136251 is a reply to message #136245]

Wed, 27 July 2011 09:06

mgrue

Messages: 192
Registered: October 2010
Location: Valmeyer IL

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Mark,

There is a feature of the GMC suspension that I see you do not yet grasp. The rear shocks are backwards from almost everything else in existence..... They compress as the suspension extends.

This does not mean that you can't hurt the system by over-extending with a bogie jacked up, it just makes it more difficult.

This is also a very easy thing to deal with. . . Just turn down the compressor switch.

Matt[/quote]

I had looked at that and you are correct that it would not pull the rod out but i think it would probably break the mounts off. they are a 1/2 bolt if I am not mistaken and in single shear they would prob not be up to stopping the bag. I did in fact turn my compressor down to 60 psi cut out pressure.

Mark

Mark Grueninger 76 Palm Beach Valmeyer IL

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Re: New airbags [message #136253 is a reply to message #136224]

Wed, 27 July 2011 09:13

cbwoodsr

Messages: 1063
Registered: February 2004

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Shouldn't the air bag valves take care of that? They should cut off the air when it reaches the set ride height.

CBWood
77 Kingslay
MWC OK
ONLINE PARTS PROGRAM
www.GMCMHParts.com

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Re: [GMCnet] New airbags [message #136259 is a reply to message #136250]

Wed, 27 July 2011 10:02

mgrue

Messages: 192
Registered: October 2010
Location: Valmeyer IL

Karma: 0

Senior Member

[quote title=Ken Henderson wrote on Wed, 27 July 2011 09:01]Mark,

Looks like a great mod. Have enough road time with it enough to
comment on the change in ride/stability characteristics? I'd expect
more "floating" and rolling with so much lower pressure. That might
create more need for rear sway bars, which I don't like with the OEM
bags because of the leveling problems the heavy ones create.

Ken H.

I ran the one on the left side and an original on the rt for about 200 miles when the original left one blew out. Dang it made a mess of the T skirt. I have run them on both sides for about 25 or 30 miles into town and back. Did not notice any difference on the twisting and bumpy farm roads I ran. I think larger displacement of the bags as they move tends to dampen out the bumps quite a bit. I could be wrong though. I will find out in 2 weeks when we go back to Rend Lake.

Mark

Mark Grueninger 76 Palm Beach Valmeyer IL

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Re: [GMCnet] New airbags [message #136260 is a reply to message #136247]

Wed, 27 July 2011 10:00

emerystora

Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004

Karma: 13

Senior Member

On Jul 27, 2011, at 7:52 AM, vince Coley wrote:

>
>
> found this on line intreging set up http://www.truckspring.com/products/Firestone-Reversible-Sleeve-Air-Spring__W01-358-9294.aspx
> 138.50
> my old bags scare me

Vince
Keep looking for prices. That site wants about $14 for shipping.
A quick look showed another site for $149 with free shipping.
Prices are all over the place.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM

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Re: New airbags [message #136263 is a reply to message #136214]

Wed, 27 July 2011 10:06

Michael Leipold

Messages: 318
Registered: April 2011
Location: Greensboro NC

Karma: 2

Senior Member

I am very curious about this too.

We throw away tons of air bags off our test trucks all the time.

In fact I know there are 6 or 7 in the trash bin right now.

If they could be used..... Smile

Smile

1973 GMC 26' Glacier - Unknown Mileage - Has a new switch pitch transmission with Powerdrive Smile

Smile

[Updated on: Wed, 27 July 2011 10:10]

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