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Airbag question [message #245658]

Sat, 29 March 2014 11:25

BRDRVR

Messages: 184
Registered: July 2013
Location: Clearwater, FL-Gerlach,NV

Karma: 8

Senior Member

Well Ive had my first airbag blow out yesterday. Happened just north of Gainesville on I75s. Luckily under the sofa were a bunch spare parts along with 4 extra bags. All 4 bags looked decent but 2 were compacted and 2 were expanded resembling torpedoes. Of the 2 compacted ones one of them had some stripped threads on the none fill side. The two "torpedoes" looked in great shape and had rubber sleeves over the threads and look to have never been used. But when i tried to compact them into the end cups they just wanted to fold over before they would compress into themselves. I used the bag the was pre-compressed and it went great and was back moving within the hour. I have been lucky so far with airbags and am fortunate enough to have a dozen or so spares and a bunch of temp spacers that I have found in varies coaches. My questions is could i have just installed the "torpedo" and it would have righted it self as air and weight were added? Is there a process that should be done to prep them for install? Being I was virgin to the process I just went with what looked the easiest.
Thanx. David

David Gourdine http//www.blackrockdesertrvrental.com booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com 727-657-1955

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Re: Airbag question [message #245665 is a reply to message #245658]

Sat, 29 March 2014 11:41

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

BRDRVR wrote on Sat, 29 March 2014 11:25

Well Ive had my first airbag blow out yesterday. Happened just north of Gainesville on I75s. Luckily under the sofa were a bunch spare parts along with 4 extra bags. All 4 bags looked decent but 2 were compacted and 2 were expanded resembling torpedoes. Of the 2 compacted ones one of them had some stripped threads on the none fill side. The two "torpedoes" looked in great shape and had rubber sleeves over the threads and look to have never been used. But when i tried to compact them into the end cups they just wanted to fold over before they would compress into themselves. I used the bag the was pre-compressed and it went great and was back moving within the hour. I have been lucky so far with airbags and am fortunate enough to have a dozen or so spares and a bunch of temp spacers that I have found in varies coaches. My questions is could i have just installed the "torpedo" and it would have righted it self as air and weight were added? Is there a process that should be done to prep them for install? Being I was virgin to the process I just went with what looked the easiest.
Thanx. David

If it had room, it would have righted itself. The last picture in this sequence is about 35 PSI with no load.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4567/1567_p18221.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4567/1567_p18224.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4567/1567_p18225.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4567/1567_p18226.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4567/1567_p18227.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4567/1567_p18228.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4567/1567_p18229.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4567/1567_p18230.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4567/1567_p18231.jpg

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Re: Airbag question [message #245668 is a reply to message #245658]

Sat, 29 March 2014 11:48

BRDRVR

Messages: 184
Registered: July 2013
Location: Clearwater, FL-Gerlach,NV

Karma: 8

Senior Member

Great pix. That first one was what I was thinking it would look like whae I got it installed. Didnt want to experiment while semis were blowing by my back at 75mph.
Thanx for the info A. Good to know
Thanx. David

David Gourdine http//www.blackrockdesertrvrental.com booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com 727-657-1955

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Re: Airbag question [message #245684 is a reply to message #245658]

Sat, 29 March 2014 14:29

Cadillackeeper

Messages: 464
Registered: October 2012
Location: Fort Lauderdale

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Did you say you have a half dozen or so spare airbags?And in Florida?I have one old one on the passenger side that I would love to replace.It is hot doggy so I spun it upside down,its starting to check a little as well. Always makes me nervouse and a little on edge.I carry 13.5" pipes and some spare cups in case of failure.Any chance of letting 1 go for me?

77 455 Elaganza II and 67 Animal, Built 500 Powered Eldo

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Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245692 is a reply to message #245658]

Sat, 29 March 2014 17:57

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

David,

See MM X-7525 | Section 4 - Rear Suspension | Page 4-27 | Para: Air Bellows Installation & Figure 57.

You're lucky! It is more than likely that you are correct and the "torpedoes" are new. Since your GMC's just sit in situ you could
recoup some of your investment in that coach and sell them to someone that uses their GMC for touring. You could make a few bucks
and help someone in need. New production bags are available from Applied GMC and Cinnabar for over $400 each. I don't think they
would be worth that much as they are not new production and as you know rubber deteriorates over time. There is a manufacturing date
code on them which can be found here: http://www.bdub.net/manuals/Airspring_datecode_e.pdf

Since the document that contains these pages was published in 2007 the first table covers from 1995 - 2006. It would be interesting
to see what method was used on your "torpedoes" and if code falls into the date periods shown.

If you decide not to sell them I would suggest you buy some 303 Aerospace Protectant: http://www.303products.com/

Here's a link where you can buy it: http://www.wheretobuy303.com/index.php?tab=US

I bought some a Napa store in Humble, TX.

Spray the "torpedoes" generously with 303; put them in black plastic bags and store them in a cool dry place. That will help
preserve them.

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: David Gourdine

Well I've had my first airbag blow out yesterday. Happened just north of Gainesville on I75s. Luckily under the sofa were a bunch
spare parts along with 4 extra bags. All 4 bags looked decent but 2 were compacted and 2 were expanded resembling torpedoes. Of the
2 compacted ones one of them had some stripped threads on the none fill side. The two "torpedoes" looked in great shape and had
rubber sleeves over the threads and look to have never been used. But when i tried to compact them into the end cups they just
wanted to fold over before they would compress into themselves. I used the bag the was pre-compressed and it went great and was back
moving within the hour. I have been lucky so far with airbags and am fortunate enough to have a dozen or so spares and a bunch of
temp spacers that I have found in varies coaches. My questions is could i have just installed the "torpedo" and it would have
righted it self as air and weight were added? Is there a process that should be done to prep them for install? Being I was virgin to
the process I just went with what looked the easiest.
Thanx. David

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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: Airbag question [message #245705 is a reply to message #245658]

Sat, 29 March 2014 19:28

BRDRVR

Messages: 184
Registered: July 2013
Location: Clearwater, FL-Gerlach,NV

Karma: 8

Senior Member

Anthony. Send me an address and Ill ship one down to you.
Dan. I actually have a bunch of stuff that Im gonna unload. Mostly ladders, roof rails, roof pods, that center piece in the rear wheel well and awnings. Also the rear seating as I convert them all to full mattresses. And the heaters. If anybody needs/wants any of these let me know and maybe we can do some trading.

David Gourdine http//www.blackrockdesertrvrental.com booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com 727-657-1955

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Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245710 is a reply to message #245692]

Sat, 29 March 2014 19:57

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

USAussie wrote on Sat, 29 March 2014 17:57

...Since your GMC's just sit in situ you could recoup some of your investment in that coach and sell them to someone that uses their GMC for touring. You could make a few bucks and help someone in need. New production bags are available from Applied GMC and Cinnabar for over $400 each. I don't think they would be worth that much as they are not new production and as you know rubber deteriorates over time. There is a manufacturing date code on them which can be found here: http://www.bdub.net/manuals/Airspring_datecode_e.pdf

Common sentiment here is that tires age out in five years no matter where/how stored. The bags are almost identical structurally and materially. If tires age out in five years, and the bags are 5+ years old, they would be worthless.

Now if tires have a greater shelf life than five years...

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Re: Airbag question [message #245711 is a reply to message #245705]

Sat, 29 March 2014 20:03

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

BRDRVR wrote on Sat, 29 March 2014 19:28

Anthony. Send me an address and Ill ship one down to you.
Dan. I actually have a bunch of stuff that Im gonna unload. Mostly ladders, roof rails, roof pods, that center piece in the rear wheel well and awnings. Also the rear seating as I convert them all to full mattresses. And the heaters. If anybody needs/wants any of these let me know and maybe we can do some trading.

I have been looking for a rear dinette. Are any of your rear seating setups dinettes?

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Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245712 is a reply to message #245705]

Sat, 29 March 2014 20:00

Ron77

Messages: 91
Registered: August 2012

Karma: 0

Member

Hi David. If you are referring to the T-panel that fits between the rear
tires, I would be interested in one of the original ones. No rush. Cell six
one nine 7 three three 5690. Thanks for your participation.

Ron Johnson
77 Eleganza II
Escondido, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of David Gourdine
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2014 5:29 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question

Anthony. Send me an address and Ill ship one down to you.
Dan. I actually have a bunch of stuff that Im gonna unload. Mostly ladders,
roof rails, roof pods, that center piece in the rear wheel well and
awnings. Also the rear seating as I convert them all to full mattresses. And
the heaters. If anybody needs/wants any of these let me know and maybe we
can do some trading.
--
David Gourdine
booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com
727-657-1955

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Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245713 is a reply to message #245705]

Sat, 29 March 2014 20:21

jhbridges

Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga

Karma: -74

Senior Member

I'd be interested in an awning.... if you have a short one, my coach is a 23'.
�
--johnny
�

________________________________
From: David Gourdine <booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2014 8:28 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question

Anthony. Send me an address and Ill ship one down to you.�
Dan. I actually have a bunch of stuff that Im gonna unload. Mostly ladders, roof rails, roof pods, that center piece in the� rear wheel well and awnings. Also the rear seating as I convert them all to full mattresses. And the heaters. If anybody needs/wants any of these let me know and maybe we can do some trading.

--
David Gourdine
booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com
727-657-1955

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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: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245716 is a reply to message #245710]

Sat, 29 March 2014 21:14

kelvin

Messages: 608
Registered: February 2004
Location: Eugene, OR

Karma: 0

Senior Member

On 3/29/2014 5:57 PM, A. wrote:
>
> USAussie wrote on Sat, 29 March 2014 17:57
>> ...Since your GMC's just sit in situ you could recoup some of your investment in that coach and sell them to someone that uses their GMC for touring. You could make a few bucks and help someone in need. New production bags are available from Applied GMC and Cinnabar for over $400 each. I don't think they would be worth that much as they are not new production and as you know rubber deteriorates over time. There is a manufacturing date code on them which can be found here: http://www.bdub.net/manuals/Airspring_datecode_e.pdf
> Common sentiment here is that tires age out in five years no matter where/how stored. The bags are almost identical structurally and materially. If tires age out in five years, and the bags are 5+ years old, they would be worthless.
>
> Now if tires have a greater shelf life than five years...

Tires certainly do different work than an airbag.

When I bought my 230 in 2002 it had very nice airbags on it. So nice
that they almost had to have been replaced at one time or another. 11
years later they still look just as good. Not a crack in the rubber
cover and they'll stay inflated on "Hold" for weeks.

I do cover the bag that gets a Western exposure (tires, too - that side
gets baked) and clean and treat them a couple times a year.

I don't think they're like tires.

Just my 46�
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR

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Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245717 is a reply to message #245716]

Sat, 29 March 2014 21:29

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Kelvin,

I agree with you and there is a cheap product that will prolong the service life of air bags:

http://www.bdub.net/sternfels/

At Branson I installed one of these but ran into a problem, the seam split. I returned the bags to Bob who examined them and found
that the heat sealing process for the seams caused a faulty seam. As it was the first time this had been reported he checked his
stock and found another pair that was also faulty which he discarded.

He sent me a new pair which I will install on Double Trouble when I get back to Humble this summer, I will take photos of the
process.

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Kelvin Dietz

Tires certainly do different work than an airbag.

When I bought my 230 in 2002 it had very nice airbags on it. So nice
that they almost had to have been replaced at one time or another. 11
years later they still look just as good. Not a crack in the rubber
cover and they'll stay inflated on "Hold" for weeks.

I do cover the bag that gets a Western exposure (tires, too - that side
gets baked) and clean and treat them a couple times a year.

I don't think they're like tires.

Just my 46�
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR

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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] Airbag question [message #245719 is a reply to message #245716]

Sat, 29 March 2014 21:48

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

Kelvin Dietz wrote on Sat, 29 March 2014 21:14

...I don't think they're like tires.

Just my 46�
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR

Good. Your mind will be more at ease riding on them.

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Re: Airbag question [message #245727 is a reply to message #245711]

Sat, 29 March 2014 23:45

BRDRVR

Messages: 184
Registered: July 2013
Location: Clearwater, FL-Gerlach,NV

Karma: 8

Senior Member

A. I do. I have a real nice green Palm Beach plaid. Opposing seating Ill have some other styles in the next week. Ill let you know what I ve got.

David Gourdine http//www.blackrockdesertrvrental.com booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com 727-657-1955

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Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245733 is a reply to message #245712]

Sun, 30 March 2014 00:18

BRDRVR

Messages: 184
Registered: July 2013
Location: Clearwater, FL-Gerlach,NV

Karma: 8

Senior Member

ron. tried to send you a pm but your not accepting.

David Gourdine http//www.blackrockdesertrvrental.com booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com 727-657-1955

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Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245736 is a reply to message #245733]

Sun, 30 March 2014 01:06

mike miller

Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon

Karma: 0

Senior Member

BRDRVR wrote on Sat, 29 March 2014 22:18

ron. tried to send you a pm but your not accepting.

PM (private message) is a web based forum feature. If you look at the bottom of Ron's posting you see this:

Quote:

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This means that Ron accesses the forum though the email based mailing list... no pm feature needed as the header of the message (posting) will have his email address. You do not see that with the web based forum.

Ron, you might want to call BRDRVR (David) at the number in his signature. (Posted openly... not always a good idea.)

Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com

[Updated on: Sun, 30 March 2014 01:07]

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Re: Airbag question [message #245756 is a reply to message #245727]

Sun, 30 March 2014 09:34

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

BRDRVR wrote on Sat, 29 March 2014 23:45

A. I do. I have a real nice green Palm Beach plaid. Opposing seating Ill have some other styles in the next week. Ill let you know what I ve got.

Thanks David. I have a rear settee set, but that did not include a table. Having a table that marries to/with the seating would be better. Mounting hardware would be helpful as well.

Color is irrelevant, as I expect to re-upholster anyway.

The Palm Beach plaid set is Flexsteel, right?

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Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245757 is a reply to message #245733]

Sun, 30 March 2014 09:32

Ron77

Messages: 91
Registered: August 2012

Karma: 0

Member

Try "Ron Johnson at gltcinsurance dot com". Thanks.

Ron Johnson

> On Mar 29, 2014, at 10:18 PM, David Gourdine <booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> ron. tried to send you a pm but your not accepting.
>
> --
> David Gourdine
> booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com
> 727-657-1955
>
> _______________________________________________
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Re: Airbag question [message #245771 is a reply to message #245658]

Sun, 30 March 2014 12:40

Cadillackeeper

Messages: 464
Registered: October 2012
Location: Fort Lauderdale

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Guys,Tires Are not rubber at all and have not been in ages.They used to grow those plants in Malaysia.Everything now from even your kitchen sink washers are a fully disposeable plastisized petroleum products.The airbags are rubber and you can smell it,and you can see the flour like they used to have in packs of kitchen sink washers.There is over 200 versions now of nitrile,vinton and all kinds of washers.Some work in cold bun not in hot,some work near/for gas but not colas.
some work for refrigerants but not oil.I have a couple corrugated rubber hoses from a rebreather that are soft supple and smell.they are perfect.Date stamp November 1942!!!!! Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

77 455 Elaganza II and 67 Animal, Built 500 Powered Eldo

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Re: [GMCnet] Airbag question [message #245802 is a reply to message #245658]

Sun, 30 March 2014 19:17

k2gkk

Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009

Karma: -8

Senior Member

Not really sure about this, David, but did you loosen the valve stems before trying to compress the "torpedos?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~~ k2gkk @ hotmail dot com ~~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*

> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com
> Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 11:25:07 -0500
> Subject: [GMCnet] Airbag question
>
> Well Ive had my first airbag blow out yesterday. Happened just north of Gainesville on I75s. Luckily under the sofa were a bunch spare parts along with 4 extra bags. All 4 bags looked decent but 2 were compacted and 2 were expanded resembling torpedoes. Of the 2 compacted ones one of them had some stripped threads on the none fill side. The two "torpedoes" looked in great shape and had rubber sleeves over the threads and look to have never been used. But when i tried to compact them into the end cups they just wanted to fold over before they would compress into themselves. I used the bag the was pre-compressed and it went great and was back moving within the hour. I have been lucky so far with airbags and am fortunate enough to have a dozen or so spares and a bunch of temp spacers that I have found in varies coaches. My questions is could i have just installed the "torpedo" and it would have righted it self as air and weight were added? Is there a process that should be do
ne
> to prep them for install? Being I was virgin to the process I just went with what looked the easiest.
> Thanx. David
> --
> David Gourdine
> booking@blackrockdesertrvrental.com
> 727-657-1955

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