Leaking air-bags

[RonWeiss]

I just managed to install a set of Firestone Air bags on my 03 Dodge during this last break in the weather (over 32*). Not a tough job, but low and behold both sides leak air. After an hour or two most of the air is leaked off.



I'm not too crazy about their push-on air line connectors, I'm assuming that's where the problem is, or could it be the connector that threads into the bag itself, I can see a portion of the nylon seal still protruding from top plate of the bag, do I have to tighten the connector till the seal is completely into the top plate? All the 1/4" lines do seem to be pushed into there respective connections tight, I tried pulling them out and they would not budge.



With 4" of new snow on the ground it will be a few days before I can get a chance to check it out, anyone else have this problem? I wish they had better connections, something with a hose clamp, I would feel better with that type of joint.



Thanks



Ron W.

 

[mikel]

I've installed three sets of these airbags and had to deal with leaks on two of them. That being said, I have never had one of those push on fittings leak.



One leak was the bag itself where the band was clamped around the base plate, and the other one was around the brass fitting that is made into the top plate.



Go get a sprayer bottle like windex comes in and mix up some soapy water and spray everything down. Then air the system up and your leak will show up as a bunch of bubbles.



It seems like I recall the instructions saying that the fittings should be installed hand tight plus something like 1/2 turn?



Good luck,

Mike

 

[tgbol]

You didn't say if you have the Firestone control panel or not. I have a bunch of trucks at work that we are having problems with the air valves on the control panels leaking. So far 6 out of eight trucks.

 

[RonWeiss]

I don't have the controller for the bags. I just ran the lines direct to the cubby hole under the driver rear split seat. That is where I installed the QuickAir ll compressor, makes for a neat install.



As soon as this snow melts I'll take some soapy water and make that test for the leaking component, as Mike suggested.



Ron W.

 

[RonWeiss]

I posted this same question on an RV forum and a guy came back and said that after you push in the air line into the connector you are supposed to pull it out to lock the line in????



Will try that if the leaks appear to be coming form the push-to connect fittings.



Ron W.

 

[Wally]

when I installed my air bags I was told to bring up to max pressure to SEAL everything I have not had any problems with push on connectors

 

[y-knot]

These air bags weather they be Air Lift or Firestone are not designed to be air tight, they are permeable. They are no different then the air bags used on large tractor trailers. The fittings I have seen and used are very reliable and are the same DOT approved fittings they use threw out the industry. I have install both Air Lift and Firestone, 4 times for myself and 5-6 times for others. The two makers offer the same product and I can not see any advantage of one over the other. I have posted many, many times telling people that air bags are a great way to go, but they should never be used without an on-board air supply. They do not leak down very fast, but you could fill them to 30 psi and the next day they would be empty. There is nothing wrong with them, like I said they are designed to pass air. They are not like an air-shock. With out a constant supply of air your life will be miserable with air bags. The best situation I have found is to have a good pump and an air tank, use the air compressor to pressurize the tank (125 or so), and use a solenoid vale to inflate the bags to your required pressure. For a velvet like ride, the bags work very well with there own expansion tank, this is what I am currently running on my truck. The extra volume of the expansion tank, allows the bags to stay at a more constant pressure while the suspension extends and contracts them.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I have to disagree, if you air them to 30 pounds they should not leak down overnight. Mine only lost a couple of pounds a week. We also use the Firestones on industrial vibe tables at work and only the oldest ones leak (and only a little), the others have to be aired up about every 4 to 5 weeks and at this point they have only lost about a third of their pressure. All of our air bags are more than 8 years old and some are 30+.

 

[mikel]

My experience has mirrored Prarie Dog, I might loose a pound or two per week and have to add air once a month, none of the systems that I have owned would leak down overnight once the oirginal defects were corrected.



Mike

 

[RonWeiss]

I think I may have fixed the leak... . I pumped the bags up to 80lbs and went around and pushed the lines in and out of the quick connect fittings, one line sort of felt like it clicked in. Then when I went back and re-did the soapy spray sure enough one of the screw in fittings (on top of the air bag) was spurting some frozen (28*) bubbles out the top.



It's funny I did this all before, but I think the trick is to over fill the bags to excess pressure making it much easier to see a problem. I think you can go as high as 100psi if i'm not mistaken.



Will see how long the pressure lasts now... I expect a few pounds drop a week also.



Thanks for the help.



Ron W.

 

[y-knot]

OK,OK,OK Maybe I exaggerated the leak down rate?? You are right they will leak a couple (5 or more) psi everyday. But the point is they will LEAK, and nothing can be none to stop it. It is also why I always tell people not to consider them unless they plan on installing a compressor, it would not be worth the effort. The point isn't to air them up to 100psi, so you have a 5 -6 day window before the next air up. Instead, it is to allow a much better ride when air pressure is matched to the load.

 

[RonWeiss]

y-knot,



What made the difference in troubleshooting my lines and connectors was going ahead and bringing the system up to 100 psi then going over every connection and pushing the lines all the way in and then try to pull them out. I felt two lines actually "pop" or grab in the connectors.



Also, it wasn't till I over filled them that I saw bubbles coming from one of the screw in connectors on the top of one bag. That didn't show up at 25psi. Just gave it another 1/4 turn and it stopped.



Ron W.

 

[tgrfan2]

I have Air Lift on my 95 and Firestone on my 98. Both have worked great so far. I bought a small 110V air compressor for my fiver so I could use it for other things on the road at a cost of $90. It rides in the front storage near the generator.

 

[Moterhead]

I had Firestones on my 98. 5. Aired 'em up to 60 psi for my slide in camper and tongue heavy bike trailer. Four week trip, 7,000 plus miles. When I returned, both were still at 60 psi. They DON'T all leak!

 

[y-knot]

I have installed 5-8 sets of bags, I always go over all the lines and fittings with soapy water, just to check. The snap in fittings are very good, and I have never had a snap-fitting leak. Much better then NPT connectors and fittings. My response was just to let people know, that regardless of what you do, the system will need to be replenished from time to time. And it would be a pain in the butt too me, if I did not have a on-board air system.