Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Air bags won't come off
| Air bags won't come off [message #172164] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 17:39  |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I am trying to remove the air bags from my donor coach.
I applied the acetone ATF solution to the nut and bolt but
the aluminum and bag twist as I try to loosen the nuts.
Both ends are doing this. One bag the threaded insert
came out of the bag. My thoughts are to drill a 3/8"
hole in the flange and stick a drift in the hole to help
keep the bag from twisting. Any other ideas.
Thanks,
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: Air bags won't come off [message #172165 is a reply to message #172164] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 17:44  |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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| Bruce Hart wrote on Tue, 05 June 2012 17:39 |
I am trying to remove the air bags from my donor coach.
I applied the acetone ATF solution to the nut and bolt but
the aluminum and bag twist as I try to loosen the nuts.
Both ends are doing this. One bag the threaded insert
came out of the bag. My thoughts are to drill a 3/8"
hole in the flange and stick a drift in the hole to help
keep the bag from twisting. Any other ideas.
Thanks,
|
Do you have the bag at least partially inflated?
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172170 is a reply to message #172165] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 17:53 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Dennis, thanks for the tip. I'll put a shrader valve on the bad and see
if it holds air.
Jim, I don't have any any air tools, but that would also help.
On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 4:44 PM, Dennis Sexton <dennisfsexton@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> Bruce Hart wrote on Tue, 05 June 2012 17:39
> > I am trying to remove the air bags from my donor coach.
> > I applied the acetone ATF solution to the nut and bolt but
> > the aluminum and bag twist as I try to loosen the nuts.
> > Both ends are doing this. One bag the threaded insert
> > came out of the bag. My thoughts are to drill a 3/8"
> > hole in the flange and stick a drift in the hole to help
> > keep the bag from twisting. Any other ideas.
> >
> > Thanks,
>
>
> Do you have the bag at least partially inflated?
>
> Dennis
>
> --
> Dennis S
> 73 Painted Desert 230
> Germantown, TN
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172171 is a reply to message #172170] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 18:03 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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I like sully's description of how to remove the oem bags
http://www.bdub.net/sully/
gene
On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 3:53 PM, Bruce Hart <hartsgmc@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dennis, thanks for the tip. I'll put a shrader valve on the bad and see
> if it holds air.
>
> Jim, I don't have any any air tools, but that would also help.
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 4:44 PM, Dennis Sexton <dennisfsexton@aol.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Bruce Hart wrote on Tue, 05 June 2012 17:39
> > > I am trying to remove the air bags from my donor coach.
> > > I applied the acetone ATF solution to the nut and bolt but
> > > the aluminum and bag twist as I try to loosen the nuts.
> > > Both ends are doing this. One bag the threaded insert
> > > came out of the bag. My thoughts are to drill a 3/8"
> > > hole in the flange and stick a drift in the hole to help
> > > keep the bag from twisting. Any other ideas.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> >
> >
> > Do you have the bag at least partially inflated?
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> > --
> > Dennis S
> > 73 Painted Desert 230
> > Germantown, TN
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Bruce Hart
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Milliken, Co
> GMC=Got More Class
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172193 is a reply to message #172189] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 20:15 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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IMHO, you should be glad you didn't buy a battery-powered HF tool.
Generally, as with my 1/2 120vac Impact Wrench that has lasted 3+ years
longer than expected, I like their tools. But NOT battery powered; I've
had only BAD luck with them.
Ken H.
On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 8:54 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald wrote:
>
> I bought a 1/2" drive "Klutch" 24V impact wrench from
> Northern Tool. Without it, I would NEVER have been able
> to loosen the big bolt holding the bottom one of my
> T-Skirts to enable my Sully-bilt bag install.
>
> It came with two batteries and the charger in a handy
> carrying case.
>
> So far, so good. It seemed to be stouter than the one
> at Harbor Freight. I caught it on sale AND I had a 10%
> discount coupon to boot!
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172198 is a reply to message #172193] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 20:59 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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The only battery powered stuff I’ve bought at harbor Freight are the “headlights” and my digital multi-meter. I’m pretty happy with the multi-meter, though I’ve not used it heavily.
I agree - I wouldn’t buy their battery operated tools. The plug in tools are spotty enough on their own!
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
On Jun 5, 2012, at 6:15 PM, Ken Henderson wrote:
> IMHO, you should be glad you didn't buy a battery-powered HF tool.
> Generally, as with my 1/2 120vac Impact Wrench that has lasted 3+ years
> longer than expected, I like their tools. But NOT battery powered; I've
> had only BAD luck with them.
>
> Ken H.
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: Air bags won't come off [message #172215 is a reply to message #172164] |
Wed, 06 June 2012 00:50 |
bwevers
Messages: 597
Registered: October 2010
Location: San Jose
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I had to use a hacksaw to get my old airbags off.
The old airbags were toast. I sawed through the
nut and 3/4 inch bolt holding them on.
Very primitive.
-Bill
Bill Wevers GMC49ers, GMC Western States
1975 Glenbrook - Manny Powerdrive, OneTon
455 F Block, G heads
San Jose
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| Re: Air bags won't come off [message #172217 is a reply to message #172215] |
Wed, 06 June 2012 01:43 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I have been successful in all but three cases by Kroil soaking them for 5 days. In one case I chisel split the nut with an muffler gun and in two cases I had to resort to a flame wrench because no air for the muffler gun was readily available.
Good luck.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172222 is a reply to message #172193] |
Wed, 06 June 2012 07:33 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I have a bunch of DeWalt battery operated drills and saws here at work. 10 years into them, I've replaced two battery packs total, everything else is fine fine. Also a couple of Ryobi power screwdrivers which have worked well.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 [palm beach
From: Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 9:15 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off
IMHO, you should be glad you didn't buy a battery-powered HF tool.
Generally, as with my 1/2 120vac Impact Wrench that has lasted 3+ years
longer than expected, I like their tools. But NOT battery powered; I've
had only BAD luck with them.
Ken H.
On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 8:54 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald wrote:
>
> I bought a 1/2" drive "Klutch" 24V impact wrench from
> Northern Tool. Without it, I would NEVER have been able
> to loosen the big bolt holding the bottom one of my
> T-Skirts to enable my Sully-bilt bag install.
>
> It came with two batteries and the charger in a handy
> carrying case.
>
> So far, so good. It seemed to be stouter than the one
> at Harbor Freight. I caught it on sale AND I had a 10%
> discount coupon to boot!
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Air bags won't come off [message #172224 is a reply to message #172217] |
Wed, 06 June 2012 07:43 |
SThornbg
Messages: 127
Registered: September 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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What I Did...... Drill a series of increasing size holes at the center of one of the nut flats. When I got to the 3/8 size there was very little wall thickness left and I popped it with a cold chisel to split the nut. It came off very easily.
As someone else commented here when I was asking, the replacement nuts are very inexpensive and if you do some damamge to the threads on the bung, they are easily cleaned up with a thread file.
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 PB 455 "Tinker Toy"
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172231 is a reply to message #172198] |
Wed, 06 June 2012 09:08 |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I bought 2 of the battery operated HF 18v drills for use at the last GMCMI rally. They were cheap and on sale at $19 each with a charger, battery, and portable light. I just wanted them as extras for the people helping with set-up and tear-down. Now I've been using them with my interior referb. Can't believe how handy they have been, and how well they have performed for such a cheap item. So far I've got more than my money's worth out of them. I've also purchased a number of their plug-in, and air tools, with no problems. JMHO
| ljdavick wrote on Tue, 05 June 2012 20:59 |
The only battery powered stuff I’ve bought at harbor Freight are the “headlights” and my digital multi-meter. I’m pretty happy with the multi-meter, though I’ve not used it heavily.
I agree - I wouldn’t buy their battery operated tools. The plug in tools are spotty enough on their own!
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
On Jun 5, 2012, at 6:15 PM, Ken Henderson wrote:
> IMHO, you should be glad you didn't buy a battery-powered HF tool.
> Generally, as with my 1/2 120vac Impact Wrench that has lasted 3+ years
> longer than expected, I like their tools. But NOT battery powered; I've
> had only BAD luck with them.
>
> Ken H.
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Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172236 is a reply to message #172231] |
Wed, 06 June 2012 09:41 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
I have a 1/2" HF 19.2 vdc in Houston. I bought it on sale for $19.99 or
somewhere around that. The problem is that the replacement batteries go for
$19.99 and to date I've never seen them on sale!
Here in Sydney I have a De Walt set of cordless tools and when the NiCad
batteries died I bit the bullet and bought 3 Lithium batteries. They weren't
cheap but they charge up in no time flat and they hold the charge. Normally
I keep them charged. I've noted that they can sit in the locker for two -
three months while I'm in the USA when I get back they still have a charge
and will power a tool for a reasonable length of use.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry
I bought 2 of the battery operated HF 18v drills for use at the last GMCMI
rally. They were cheap and on sale at $19 each with a charger, battery, and
portable light. I just wanted them as extras for the people helping with
set-up and tear-down. Now I've been using them with my interior referb.
Can't believe how handy they have been, and how well they have performed for
such a cheap item. So far I've got more than my money's worth out of them.
I've also purchased a number of their plug-in, and air tools, with no
problems. JMHO
Larry
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172249 is a reply to message #172236] |
Wed, 06 June 2012 11:03 |
Jon payne
Messages: 495
Registered: May 2008
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I just replaced my airbags with 2 NOS ones that the PO had. Ran into the same problem, nut was to tight and the air bag would twist. To get them off i used a strap wrench I got from Autozone and wrapped around the cone to prevent the bag from twisting. Then used my impact wrench and the nut came off with little effort.
Jon
Jon Payne
76 Palm Beach
Westfield,IN
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172268 is a reply to message #172249] |
Wed, 06 June 2012 14:45 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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The manual does not have a section on removing the air bag from the
coach only a small installation paragraph in Section 4, page 27.
The best way I was shown many years ago was to leave the air bags with
pressure on them. This keeps the bag from moving and makes it easier
to loosen the nut which is a 1 1/8" nut. It doesn't hurt to spray a
little rust solvent or WD40 on the nut to easy removal. If the air
bag has failed then all bets are off and it can be more difficult or
not. You should put a little silicone grease on the threads of the
bag bolts to make it easier to loosen when rotating the bags to
prevent "Hotdogging". It was recommended to me that you should turn
your air bags about once a year and this applies only to the factory
bags. The new bags used on the 4 bag and Sullybilt are not rotatable
and not necessary.
JR Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
78 Buskirk 30' Stretch
1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan
>
> I just replaced my airbags with 2 NOS ones that the PO had. Ran into
> the same problem, nut was to tight and the air bag would twist. To
> get them off i used a strap wrench I got from Autozone and wrapped
> around the cone to prevent the bag from twisting. Then used my
> impact wrench and the nut came off with little effort.
>
> Jon
> --
> Jon Payne
> 76 Palm Beach
> Westfield,IN
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Air bags won't come off [message #172270 is a reply to message #172268] |
Wed, 06 June 2012 15:13 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Anti seize compound or blue loc tite will prevent the threads from corroding together. Doesn't help you much now I know. I would use the strap technique mentioned earlier on the cone with focused heat on the nut and turn while still smokin with socket and ratchet.
Sully
77 royale
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 6, 2012, at 12:45 PM, John Wright <powerjon@chartermi.net> wrote:
> The manual does not have a section on removing the air bag from the
> coach only a small installation paragraph in Section 4, page 27.
> The best way I was shown many years ago was to leave the air bags with
> pressure on them. This keeps the bag from moving and makes it easier
> to loosen the nut which is a 1 1/8" nut. It doesn't hurt to spray a
> little rust solvent or WD40 on the nut to easy removal. If the air
> bag has failed then all bets are off and it can be more difficult or
> not. You should put a little silicone grease on the threads of the
> bag bolts to make it easier to loosen when rotating the bags to
> prevent "Hotdogging". It was recommended to me that you should turn
> your air bags about once a year and this applies only to the factory
> bags. The new bags used on the 4 bag and Sullybilt are not rotatable
> and not necessary.
>
> JR Wright
> GMC Great Laker MHC
> GMC Eastern States
> GMCMHI
> 78 Buskirk 30' Stretch
> 1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
> Michigan
>
>>
>> I just replaced my airbags with 2 NOS ones that the PO had. Ran into
>> the same problem, nut was to tight and the air bag would twist. To
>> get them off i used a strap wrench I got from Autozone and wrapped
>> around the cone to prevent the bag from twisting. Then used my
>> impact wrench and the nut came off with little effort.
>>
>> Jon
>> --
>> Jon Payne
>> 76 Palm Beach
>> Westfield,IN
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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