Will Firestone Air Bags help (Rock & Roll) or NO?

[loulong]

Will adding the Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags to the front end help the rock and roll of a '97 F53, or not?

[pkunk1]

You might want to read this Cheap Handling Fix
thread. Rear sway bar bushings, good/new shocks, and some tune up seem to be the best bet.

[loulong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkunk1 You might want to read this Cheap Handling Fix thread. Rear sway bar bushings, good/new shocks, and some tune up seem to be the best bet.

I HAVE read that thread, and it does not apply to my '97 F53. My front sway bar looks nothing like the newer ones, and does not have the two attachment holes.

I have new shocks, new alignment, front steering stabilizer and a rear sway bar.

I asked a specfic question. If you can't answer it, so be it.

[TXiceman]

i would start with two things, stiffer anti-roll bars with urethane bushings front and rear and then better shock absorbers. what you need is something to prevent the side to side roll.

ken

[Don/Lou]

I removed my front airbags and put in a Davis front Tru-track
The air bags interfered & I was not seeing any benefit from them !
I do have rear airbags.
Very happy with the Davis TT
FWIW
Don

[loulong]

What do you guys not understand about a yes or no question?

[4Knights]

Quote:

Originally Posted by loulong What do you guys not understand about a yes or no question?

Because it's an unknown! Maybe yes maybe no! It fixed mine on a 94 pace arrow but it might not for yours. I believe folks are trying to tell you that and provide alternatives. Could also be wheel bearings or ?

If I buy a lottery ticket tonight will I win? Yes or No?
Safe travels and hope you figure it out.

[loulong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Knights Because it's an unknown! Maybe yes maybe no! It fixed mine on a 94 pace arrow but it might not for yours. I believe folks are trying to tell you that and provide alternatives. Could also be wheel bearings or ? If I buy a lottery ticket tonight will I win? Yes or No? Safe travels and hope you figure it out.

I didn't ask anyone to guarantee a fix. I asked "would they help?".

Your answer comes the closest so far, thanks.

BTW - I can't help you with the lottery.

[4Knights]

I tried it two ways, first had both bags on same inflation line( supposed to be equalized) hated it, seemed to make it worse. Then split them to different/ individual valves and helped quite a bit. I also changed all the bushings I could and that really made a difference.

[pkunk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by loulong I didn't ask anyone to guarantee a fix. I asked "would they help?". Your answer comes the closest so far, thanks. BTW - I can't help you with the lottery.

Which wrong side of the bed did you get up on?
Sorry for my constructive support. I would not spend $$ on air bags to solve your rock & roll.

[blackf3504dr]

I think I'l keep my opinion to myself....

[ga traveler]

i have installed many front airbags on F53 chassis. Every one of my customers said the ride was smoother. Not one that I can remember ever said it helped with with sway. your answer(in my experience) is no.

[Conquest102]

On my old P30 they gave it a lot of bounce when you would go into a dip it seemed to float up and down a lot. Sway forget it semis rocked me everytime they passed me.

[Topflite51]

I recently installed them on the front of our 97 to provide a smoother ride, which they did. As to any sway/rock and roll improvement, cannot say they helped in those areas. We already had front and rear sway bars w/poly bushings and rear air bags. It is quite possible front air bags will provide you with significant improvement in rock and roll given the fact you do not have a front sway bar. I believe the most improvement however that we had for rock and roll was when we first had the rear air bags installed which was 4 years ago. Hope this helps.

I will say that what works on some rigs, does not necessarily work on others, a lot depends on the load, tires etc. Good luck.