Firestone Air ride air bags questions

[Ramrod]

Well I removed the 3500 bed today to install these bags. Everything went together fine. However when I tried to air them up they just leak the air right out. I read the directions and the trouble shooting section. The air lines just push into the fittings. When you pull on the line it pulls a sleeve out that is suppose to clamp down on the line and make it air tight. I did not think it would hold air with this design to begin with. Anyone have any experience and comments on a possible fix. These are sold everywhere. So they have to work. But they don't for me and I did everything right to install. Air lines go in straight and everything. They only seem to be leaking at the valves on top of the bags. The shrader valves seem to be air tight. Maybe because the air is going right out the other end.

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RED 98 3500 12v 4x4 Quad Cab SLT Larimie, 4"BD exhaust and brake, triple mount AutoMeter Ultra Lights, govenor spring kit, delivery valves, 370 B injectors, 332-700 camplate, 16 cm2, new carter lift pump,Mag-Hytec diff,Horton Fan Clutch, NorthWest Fear This mudflaps,custom dynamic timed pump by AWD,Linex,Tonneau cover w/ bike rack over the bed,Billet grill and bumpers inserts, Eclipse w/center seat sub enclosure and remote alarm.

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[This message has been edited by Griff996 (edited 04-22-2001). ]

 

[MikeJ]

just to give you my experience with the fittings, I have 4 Firestone airbag's (2 on each side)installed on my truck, so I have several of those fittings. Be sure that you have a straight cut on the end of your air line, make sure everything's clean and when you push the line into the fitting, make sure it goes in all the way. Sometimes it feels like it is, but with a little more effort, it will go ahead and bottom out. Don't pull back on the line! That might be the reason your's are leaking. Those fitting's are DOT approved for use on truck air brake systems, so they normally work very well. Also they're a heck of a lot better to connect and disconnect than the old ferrule type fitting.

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1997 3500 club cab, 10' flatbed, 3:54, auto, 4 Firestone air bags, 332,000+ miles

 

[EZ94]

I had a similar experience.
Double check installation of air lines, fittings and valves to be sure everything was done exactly as per instructions. Then, fill them up to MAX pressure and let them sit for awhile. This seems to help "seat" the fittings/valves. After doing ao, mine stopped leaking and now hold minimum pressure without any loss of air.

 

[C Schomer]

Mine said to use faucet grease on the end of the tube and make sure the cut is smooth. I did both and haven't had any trouble! Craig

 

[Archive]

I used a very small pipe cutter on my hoses to keep the cut straight. So far, no leaks.

The idea of pushing it in til tight is a good one, too. I could definitely feel the extra fraction of an inch that they will take. I have installed two sets, with no leaks.

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Rob Hanson
1999 "Big Red", 3500 SLT QC 4X4 6 spd, 4. 10 LSD, Braided SS fuel lines, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins E-Brake with BD Switch, Blue Box, DD3 Injectors, Banks High Ram and 14cm Wastegated Turbo, All-steel Cowl Induction Hood, Cummins RED Valve Cover, Rhino, Rosewood Kit, Scotty System, SportComp Gauges, TorkLift SuperHitch, Tekonsha Brake Controller, Rear Flood lights, Cobra CB, DeeZee Running Boards, BD 2WD Low kit, Air Lift bags, Hitco exhaust blanket, air horns and a Geno's "I tromped a Ford" decal. Member of BOMB! (WW NW Chapter)

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