Thread: Airbag goes bang!

Originally Posted by atwood

There are a number of really useful threads here about D2 saggy bum and causes. Profuse thanks to these publishers. I had the problem - so I decided to follow instructions. I ordered new airbags and set about installing them.
No great problems - the change from screw-in to push-in air lines was well documented and installing the bags was a comparatively simple task.
Bags installed, doors closed, start the car - zero action from the compressor, pull it out and have a poke around - then read the threads again. Jack up the suspension a bit more and it bursts into life - reinstall the compressor - all now looks good. Add wheels - remove jack stands - and start her up again..... BANG!

Replaced jack stands - removed wheels - one bag looks normal - one completely deflated. There is a large split where bag joins metal top plate. Obviously a faulty bag - remove it - only, how the hell do I get the air hose out of the push in fitting - without cutting the line (again)? All advice gratefully received.

The outer edge of the fitting needs to be pushed in while the airline is pulled out. I would suggest that it is quite possible that the airbag inflated while still not seated on the bottom cone properly, causing it to inflate on one side, splitting at the top. I ALWAYS fit them one at a time, so I can contol the inflation by using a quick acting trolley jack.

JC

Originally Posted by atwood

how the hell do I get the air hose out of the push in fitting - without cutting the line (again)? All advice gratefully received.

If it is a standard push-lock fitting, you push the line INTO the fitting as hard as you can, grab the ferrule and push it INTO the fitting with your other hand and hold it it, then pull the air line out.

It is of course possible that I have failed to seat the bag properly - but I did wriggle it about and thought I had it right... yep - I should have done them one at a time.... naturally the one that went bang is the left one - second to be looked at on inflation.....

Thanks for the info re air lines - will extract tomorrow.
Regards

not that it matters now, but---
my last set came with BOLD TYPE instructions to ensure bag is not twisted upon inflation---

what brand bags?
just wondering as there have been
some failures(when new)


and having been here(there?) before, I have installed an extra set of metal push-in connectors and extra hose length added, just in case,,

I am also curious of bag brand.

cheers

Extracted the bag this AM.

Dunlop bags.... Bag rubber pulled away from the metal section at top. The rubber isn't split - it looks as though about 2cm of the bag edge has come clean away.

Pedro - I noted and appreciated your instructions very much.

Problems started when I had 2 new deflated bags on the car - and no life in the compressor. Doors closed, suspension up on one side and engine running - still no life in the compressor. At this point I started believing that the compressor was dead. I could have saved myself a couple of hours and plenty of aggravation if I had jacked it up a bit higher.
When the compressor did finally burst into life it would have helped if I was monitoring one bag only.

Rgds

I ALWAYS fit them one at a time, so I can contol the inflation by using a quick acting trolley jack.

JC[/QUOTE]

Jeez how many times you had to fix em!!! I'dve gone springs by now..
James

Originally Posted by twodoors

I ALWAYS fit them one at a time, so I can contol the inflation by using a quick acting trolley jack.

JC

Jeez how many times you had to fix em!!! I'dve gone springs by now..
James[/QUOTE]

...I do this for a living

JC