Balrgn
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| 19 Jan 2007 05:51 PM |
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Has anyone added a leaf or swapped out the factory originals? The Peanut is a bit low in the rear. Needs a bit of attention this year. |
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1977 Argosy 20
454 V8 Gas
Southern NH
Maintenance Analyst
www.balrgn.com |
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| 19 Jan 2007 10:27 PM |
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Balrgn,
I moved this to the Chassis Forum.
Also, I have not swapped out any of my springs...your front changeover last year has inspired me to upgrade my front springs and hopefully tackle a complete front end rebuild/upgrade.
The rear springs on the 345 are HUGE and supplemented with air bags. What about adding an air kit? |
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Steven Webster
1986 Airstream 345 |
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Balrgn
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| 20 Jan 2007 05:21 AM |
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I thought about the air kit. I am reluctant to do that with out swapping out the springs or have them re-tempered. I'm kinda lucky, there is a shop a few towns away that makes leaf springs. You can get a "core' credit (I'm told) for the original set.
Once the weather brakes I'll look under there and see what it takes.
This is a southern vehicle, I want to get at the bolting before the northern exposure get at it.
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1977 Argosy 20
454 V8 Gas
Southern NH
Maintenance Analyst
www.balrgn.com |
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COOPERHAWK
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Advanced Member
Posts:850
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| 20 Jan 2007 09:16 AM |
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I haven't done springs on the
Airstream, but my family used to run a lot of tractor trailers and I
have done it on semi tractors. What we usually did was add a leaf
or two and install a longer spring bolt to hold the stack
together. Wasn't too hard to do.
I have the air bags in my front coil springs and they work well.
You can install them with no tools, but it takes some work. You
kind of screw the deflated bags up through the hole in the bottom of
the spring holder. Then you inflate them.
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1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
VFW,Legion, NRA
FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
http://www.cooperhawk.net
mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
"People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets." |
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Host
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| 20 Jan 2007 10:06 AM |
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Balrgn,
Didn't you replace your front coils last year with some "special" motorhome coils - eliminating the need to install bags?
That would make for a great article in the DIY Articles section. I think another one on air bag replacement would be terrific.
I really want to try and build a library of "How To's" on the site. So many of us know how to do this because we talk to each other, but some step by step guides with pictures would be great for classic motorhome owners out there who are trying something for the first time.
Let me know if either of you are interested in contributing articles |
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Steven Webster
1986 Airstream 345 |
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Balrgn
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Posts:801
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| 20 Jan 2007 10:14 AM |
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I did rebuild the front end. The air bags are much needed tho. Dampens the float. I would NEVER recommend attempting to put those bags thru the hole in the base of the spring. It takes about 20 minutes to pull a spring out if you have a few tools. Trick is to pop the ball joint with out launching the spring.
I installed "new" OEM spec coil springs. They make em up in Manchester NH. They have them on the shelf.
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1977 Argosy 20
454 V8 Gas
Southern NH
Maintenance Analyst
www.balrgn.com |
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Balrgn
Moderator
Advanced Member
Posts:801
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| 20 Jan 2007 10:17 AM |
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Oh yeah, not a problem on contributing to How to's, I rarely have that many extra parts when I'm done. |
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1977 Argosy 20
454 V8 Gas
Southern NH
Maintenance Analyst
www.balrgn.com |
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Host
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Posts:284
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| 20 Jan 2007 10:33 AM |
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Cool, I'll PM you some info about contributing articles |
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Steven Webster
1986 Airstream 345 |
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COOPERHAWK
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Posts:850
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| 20 Jan 2007 10:38 AM |
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I would NEVER recommend attempting to put
those bags thru the hole in the base of the spring. It takes about 20
minutes to pull a spring out if you have a few tools.
I had no choice as I was on the road and didn't have a jack with enough
lift to raise the frame and take the load off the springs. My
hydraulic jack stands weren't working either. I had blown a hose
on them. It was a mess! |
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1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
VFW,Legion, NRA
FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
http://www.cooperhawk.net
mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
"People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets." |
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Balrgn
Moderator
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Posts:801
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| 20 Jan 2007 11:17 AM |
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Posted By COOPERHAWK on 01/20/2007 11:38 AM
I would NEVER recommend attempting to put
those bags thru the hole in the base of the spring. It takes about 20
minutes to pull a spring out if you have a few tools. [/quote]
I had no choice as I was on the road and didn't have a jack with enough
lift to raise the frame and take the load off the springs. My
hydraulic jack stands weren't working either. I had blown a hose
on them. It was a mess! I'll bet that was a chore! Your a better man 'n me!!! I tried making a cone like tool, in therory it looked like it would help. I just felt it was easier to do it the way I did. Also I was lucky. I had to replace the springs anyhow  |
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1977 Argosy 20
454 V8 Gas
Southern NH
Maintenance Analyst
www.balrgn.com |
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COOPERHAWK
Moderator
Advanced Member
Posts:850
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| 20 Jan 2007 12:23 PM |
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Actually, I rolled the bag into a tight tube and once started, I could just kinda screw it up into the spring. Wasn't too bad at that. |
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1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
VFW,Legion, NRA
FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
http://www.cooperhawk.net
mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
"People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets." |
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Balrgn
Moderator
Advanced Member
Posts:801
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| 22 Jan 2007 04:53 PM |
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Posted By COOPERHAWK on 01/20/2007 1:23 PM
Actually, I rolled the bag into a tight tube and once started, I could just kinda screw it up into the spring. Wasn't too bad at that.
Wow, I could only picture myself gettin skinned knuckles. What a huge change in the ride tho! |
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1977 Argosy 20
454 V8 Gas
Southern NH
Maintenance Analyst
www.balrgn.com |
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COOPERHAWK
Moderator
Advanced Member
Posts:850
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| 22 Jan 2007 05:14 PM |
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It wasn't that bad at all. Just
took some time and patience. I now carry a spare bag with
me. figure I can change on on the road if I have to.
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1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
VFW,Legion, NRA
FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
http://www.cooperhawk.net
mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
"People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets." |
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David Alan
New Member
Posts:6
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| 24 Jan 2007 08:45 AM |
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I replaced the front airbags and added rear airbags on my Airstream 250. The key for me was to use a 2" hole drill to remove the front bags and as mentioned rolling and tying the new bags then screwing them into the coil spring. The job was not to difficult and I'm very pleased with the results. 55# only in the front bags and level the unit with the rear. Today, if we have no rain I will install new Bilsteins all the way around
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Host
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Posts:284
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| 24 Jan 2007 02:47 PM |
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David,
I did this job too. It wasn't too bad at all. I recently learned about running at 55psi. I had been running at the AirLift recommended 95psi and chasing some front suspension issues (namely cupping of my steer tires).
I also installed Bilsteins on the front along with a Bilstein stabilzer and Monroes on the rears and tags.
I remember driving the motorhome down the highway after installing everything thinking "Oh, so THIS is how it's supposed to ride" |
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Steven Webster
1986 Airstream 345 |
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Klattu
Basic Member
Posts:128
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| 01 Mar 2007 05:56 AM |
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Get them re-arched.
Most truck brake and spring shop can do.
Have done the add a leaf too...works great.
When you take them out, you may find a broke one or two.
The big thick one...(TWSS) on Sub was cracked, and just needed replacement for normal ride height |
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| 1989 Airstream 345 |
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Balrgn
Moderator
Advanced Member
Posts:801
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| 01 Mar 2007 04:34 PM |
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That's kinda what I am thinking, There is a place over in Manchester NH that does it.
Posted By klattu on 03/01/2007 6:56 AM
Get them re-arched.
Most truck brake and spring shop can do.
Have done the add a leaf too...works great.
When you take them out, you may find a broke one or two.
The big thick one...(TWSS) on Sub was cracked, and just needed replacement for normal ride height
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1977 Argosy 20
454 V8 Gas
Southern NH
Maintenance Analyst
www.balrgn.com |
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Gon Mad
New Member
Posts:20
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| 20 Nov 2007 10:46 PM |
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Try using a vacuum pump to evacuate the air from the bags & soften them up in HOT water then aplying LOTS of twisting & patience I found that letting them sit will calm you down & as you relax the bags relaxes well them you can proceed with the job.
I invented about a dozen new cuss words on my first one! Good Luck Gon Mad |
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COOPERHAWK
Moderator
Advanced Member
Posts:850
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| 21 Nov 2007 10:09 AM |
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Yep, I replaced mine a few years back and found a whole new vocabulary that evidently had been hidden in my brain all that time just wanting to get out. Magine that! Sure felt good when they were done though.  |
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1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
VFW,Legion, NRA
FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
http://www.cooperhawk.net
mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
"People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets." |
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