Changing an air bag

[stevo68]

Hey all,

How hard is it to change an air bag. Smokey has a leak and is constantly sitting on its arse after an hour. I had an ol mate help me last time but he decided to go nance on me :p so I may have to have a crack at this myself,

Regards

Stevo

[justinc]

Hi Stevo,

Jack up the errant side of the vehicle via the front of the trailing arm to allow full axle droop, as the bag is leaking anyway I just slash it to release air:twisted:, and then undo the fitting with a 10mm spanner, unclip the 2 top clips, rotate bag 90 degrees and pull up.

Install is a reverse BUT this is where it gets 'difficult'

Fit the bag and airline etc etc and lower the vehicle so it sits lower than standard height and start the engine with 1 door open. close the door and QUICKLY jack the jack up again to avoid the bag overinflating when not seated, or it will burst / split off the top band.

Enjoy:)

Give me a call on 0408 995 635 if you need an over the phone help line:D

JC

[stevo68]

Hi Stevo,

Jack up the errant side of the vehicle via the front of the trailing arm to allow full axle droop, as the bag is leaking anyway I just slash it to release air:twisted:, and then undo the fitting with a 10mm spanner, unclip the 2 top clips, rotate bag 90 degrees and pull up.

Install is a reverse BUT this is where it gets 'difficult'

Fit the bag and airline etc etc and lower the vehicle so it sits lower than standard height and start the engine with 1 door open. close the door and QUICKLY jack the jack up again to avoid the bag overinflating when not seated, or it will burst / split off the top band.

Enjoy:)

Give me a call on 0408 995 635 if you need an over the phone help line:D

JCHey mate..thanks for that......will order an airbag and see how I go....be good to do something manly :). If it all goes pearshaped....you'll hear from me :D..appreciate that,

Regards

Stevo

[justinc]

Hey mate..thanks for that......will order an airbag and see how I go....be good to do something manly :). If it all goes pearshaped....you'll hear from me :D..appreciate that,

Regards

Stevo

What airbag are you ordering? The airbag man ones have a push in collett type airfitting, most others have the same as the OE screw in one.

Airbag man ones are easiest to attach, because of this but its no biggy, just check with soapy water afterward.

I'm quite sure you are manly enough for this task:wasntme:


JC

[stevo68]

What airbag are you ordering? The airbag man ones have a push in collett type airfitting, most others have the same as the OE screw in one.

Airbag man ones are easiest to attach, because of this but its no biggy, just check with soapy water afterward.

I'm quite sure you are manly enough for this task:wasntme:


JCWas going to go airbag man as that was the last one I got. As for being manly enough for the task.....yet to be determined.....bit of a "tool" when it comes to things of this nature. Producing kids......thats were I get my man stripes :)

Regards

Stevo

[justinc]

Was going to go airbag man as that was the last one I got. As for being manly enough for the task.....yet to be determined.....bit of a "tool" when it comes to things of this nature. Producing kids......thats were I get my man stripes :)

Regards

Stevo

It really is pretty easy BUT the jacking up quickly while inflating is VERY important. A good trolley jack is a mandatory requirement.

JC

[stevo68]

It really is pretty easy BUT the jacking up quickly while inflating is VERY important. A good trolley jack is a mandatory requirement.

JC
Hmmm no trolley jack...I have a highlift and a normal jack. Might have to go to a mates who has all that kind of stuff,

Regards

Stevo

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

Kanga jack the back and put a chassis stand under the chassis in front of the diff then use normal jack under the control arm jacking point.
Remove wheel and lower the diff so the bag extends.
Undo airline, remove upper retaining clips and rotate base of the bag and it's off.

To put on, leave diff in lowered position, install bag onto diff jetway and turn into position.
Leave bag compressed and jack up diff leaving about 2 inches between top of bag and locating holes then extend bag and install clips.
Put wheel back on, remove all jacks, start and inflate!

Andrew


Using Capitals, the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse or helping your uncle jack off a horse...

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Do both.;)

I've done this three times now Stevo and each time the only big problem is attaching the line back into the bag,,
there is zilch stretch in the lines and VERY little spanner room.
Each time I've added two push-in connectors (including the bag fitting) and a 6" piece of line. This will also allow you to pump each bag up individually with a schrader valve if the pump fails.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

oh,, and car/axle will want to be "level" with all doors and windows shut for pump to work,,;);)

[trevor]

Hey there. This was my resource when I did mine: http://www.discovery2.co.uk/Rear%20Air%20Springs.html as always an awesome and informative write up. It was a pretty easy job. About 1.5 hours takin it easy. Definately do both while your there. Good luck.

[simonl8353]

Wassup Pedro cat got yer tongue, where's the usual "good oil" chant you always give out. ;)

Having said that, I took a few photos and stuff when I first did mine.

Although I used the Arnott brand, I would not ever recommend them again.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/57160-d2-sls-airbag-replacement-completed.html

These days I'm coils all round. :D

[stevo68]

Thanks everyone for the advice.....it makes me almost confident to have a crack myself and earn some man stripes :). A question....if one has the leak...why do both go down? I thought it would be a lop sided affair....but no the whole arse goes down. Its sad seeing Smokey sitting on its arse when out and about :(,

Regards

Stevo

[mattyg]

Because its self leveling suspension. It might be on its arse but it will be level.

[pohm66]

Just an extra bit of info from experience with deflating airbags... Roadside fix

I HAD to experiment with a fix for a leaky airbag on my old D2 as touring the back of NSW.:(

Pulled the airbag off as described and the put about 100ml of green goop (aka tyre repair fluid, make sure its fibrous) in and spent about 30 minutes rolling the bag around to fully line the inside with all the fibres. Replaced the bag a woohoo no let down.;)

Got me home loaded and towing a 2 ton caravan.:D