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03-23-2011, 05:44 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 341
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P32 air bags, springs, ride height
Just wanted to bring this old thread back to life because it is exactly what I needed to know. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f22/updat...t-26299-2.html Thanks for keeping the old threads around for reference!
My ride height is less than one inch above the stops. Looks like I am in the mood to buy some springs because my airbags are already at 90 pounds. It's only money right?
However, while prowling around under there I found that one bolt was gone from the front torsion bar U bracket on the driver side and another is almost gone on the passenger side. Not sure what would happen if the bar came loose but I am sure it would not be good.
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JayGee
Foothills of the Smokies
2005 Bounder 35E
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03-23-2011, 07:03 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Surprise Arizona
Posts: 1,994
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Before investing in new springs I would try this to see if it is really necessary. Six year old springs should not be collapsed but it is possible. After repairing the torsion bar, deflate the bags and raise the front of the coach so the front wheels are suspended off the ground. Inflate the bags to #90-#100, lower the coach and then check the ride hight. It's easy to do and may save some money. It may be the bags are not fully expanded and the only way to do it is by fully expanding the springs before inflating the air-bags.
I have worked on several over the years and found that if allowed to deflate the bags would not restore ride hight without following this procedure. These steps are also outlined in the chassis guide as the proper steps when installing new bags.
Worth a try and wont cost a thing.
Good luck
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Harold & Linda
2009 CT coachworks siena 35V
W22 Workhorse 8.1L. Explorer Sport toad,
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03-25-2011, 12:57 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 341
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Thanks much for the suggestion. I tried it but had no gain in ride height. Springs are on order.
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JayGee
Foothills of the Smokies
2005 Bounder 35E
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04-02-2011, 06:16 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Wenatchee, WA.
Posts: 297
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I also found a defective torsion bar bracket bolt on my
2000 Fleetwood Flair.
Will replace them when the weather turns warmer and
for sure I won't drive it on the road till this is done.
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04-05-2011, 02:16 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 341
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New springs installed and no more airbags. My ride height is now a little over two inches and the front end feels more "stable". I can see the top of my tires now and no more bottoming out on rough bumps etc.
It was so windy (30-40 mph gust) while driving it home I could not really tell if it changed the driving any. However, under the circumstances it handled pretty well, so I hope under normal conditions it will be as good or better than it was.
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JayGee
Foothills of the Smokies
2005 Bounder 35E
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04-05-2011, 06:24 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Coastal Campers Carolina Campers
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 23,641
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JayGee
New springs installed and no more airbags. My ride height is now a little over two inches and the front end feels more "stable". I can see the top of my tires now and no more bottoming out on rough bumps etc..
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JatGee, Thanks for the report!
__________________
03 Adventurer 38G, Workhorse W22
F&R Track Bars, Safety+ , Ultrapower, Taylor Extremes, SGII
TST 507, Blue Ox, SMI, Koni FSD, CrossFire
RV/MH Hall of Fame - Lifetime Member
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04-06-2011, 05:29 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Wenatchee, WA.
Posts: 297
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JayGee
What brand of spring did you get and
what did the whole installation cost?
I have a P-32 with the same problem.
Thank You
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04-06-2011, 06:56 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Coastal Campers Carolina Campers
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 23,641
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frederick w
JayGee
What brand of spring did you get and
what did the whole installation cost?
I have a P-32 with the same problem.
Thank You
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I expect that the springs he used for the P Series are the same or similar to the ones below.
SuperSteer Springs
Call Jon at Brazels RV Performance.
__________________
03 Adventurer 38G, Workhorse W22
F&R Track Bars, Safety+ , Ultrapower, Taylor Extremes, SGII
TST 507, Blue Ox, SMI, Koni FSD, CrossFire
RV/MH Hall of Fame - Lifetime Member
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04-06-2011, 07:54 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 341
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Like Driver said I used the Super Steer springs. This is the camping world link to them, but you might find them cheaper with a good web search.
Super Steer Coil Springs - Product - Camping World
Installation is about 3 hours labor. I did get Camping World (Knoxville) to do the install. I had a few other things done so my numbers would be not be accurate. If you do use CampingWorld check around for some installation discount coupons available in some of their flyers.
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JayGee
Foothills of the Smokies
2005 Bounder 35E
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04-15-2011, 04:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 2,971
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JayGee
New springs installed and no more airbags. My ride height is now a little over two inches and the front end feels more "stable". I can see the top of my tires now and no more bottoming out on rough bumps etc.
It was so windy (30-40 mph gust) while driving it home I could not really tell if it changed the driving any. However, under the circumstances it handled pretty well, so I hope under normal conditions it will be as good or better than it was.
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Did you have the alignment checked after the install, as this could change things dramatically. I probably should have done this as well, instead of installing new air bags, but that was in 07 and all is still OK.
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07 Revolution LE 40E_1 1/2 Baths_Spartan MM Chassis_06 400HP C9 CAT_ Allison 3000
Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (SOLD)
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04-15-2011, 08:07 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 341
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If what you got is working, ride it till it don't work. You might trade for a pusher before you need to replace those bags.
I did have the alignment set to params suggested by "Super Steer". They send a sheet with the springs that provides all information for the alignment crew. The alignment folk said the numbers were pretty close to the numbers they would have used anyway.
They said the biggest change they made to my existing alignment was toe-in which probably was not a result of the spring install. I am very happy with the improvment the alignment made though. The adjustments they made seem to have helped a lot.
My only complaint, now I need to remove my tow hitch to back in the driveway unless I come in at an angle. Lifting the front end apparently dropped the back enough that the hitch now drags on the driveway. It's always something! Gotta love it.
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JayGee
Foothills of the Smokies
2005 Bounder 35E
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04-16-2011, 06:51 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 2,971
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JayGee......
I reinstalled the driveways here and also installed one of these, which has helped out in a few other cases..... click it >>> Ultra-fab Products - Hitch Protector - Skid Wheels - Camping World
__________________
07 Revolution LE 40E_1 1/2 Baths_Spartan MM Chassis_06 400HP C9 CAT_ Allison 3000
Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (SOLD)
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04-16-2011, 10:23 AM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Coastal Campers Carolina Campers
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 23,641
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If you are looking for one of these devices ... I have a better idea: Support your website and consider this: Ultra Fab Hitch receiver Protector from RV Upgrades. .48 cents less @ RVUPG!
__________________
03 Adventurer 38G, Workhorse W22
F&R Track Bars, Safety+ , Ultrapower, Taylor Extremes, SGII
TST 507, Blue Ox, SMI, Koni FSD, CrossFire
RV/MH Hall of Fame - Lifetime Member
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04-07-2012, 12:06 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
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P-32 Front Springs
Back in the 80s and 90s, Chevrolet went to great lengths in the Motor HOme Service handbook they published to warn against using 'aftermarket' front springs instead of the factory springs and airbags. The warned of the possibility of going solid in full jounce with the heavier coils with a resulting metal to metal conditin that would severely stress the rest of the front end. Has anyone had any experience with the Henderson springs in this regard? I have to make a decision right away about which way to go - my airbags are shot - don't hold air.
Bill Carry
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